We had earlier reported that ace director Vetri Maaran has teamed up with actor Silambarasan TR for an upcoming project, which was widely speculated to be set in the world of Vetri’s acclaimed 2018 film Vada Chennai. Now, on Monday (June 30), Vetri confirmed the project, stating that it is set within the world of Vada Chennai and that it isn’t the long-awaited Vada Chennai 2.
“My next film, produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu, is with Simbu. This is not Vada Chennai 2 — that film will be about the rise of Anbu, and Dhanush will be the lead star of that film. However, this is also set in the world of Vada Chennai, which means characters and aspects from Vada Chennai will find their way into this story. This will also happen in a similar timeline,” said Vetri in a video posted on the YouTube channel of his production banner Grass Root Film Company.
As expected, Vetri also confirmed that Vaadivaasal, his long-awaited film starring Suriya, has been tentatively put on hold. “There are delays in penning the script. We also need to figure out some technical aspects, like ensuring the safety of the artists and animals. So, since we can’t wait for long for all that to happen, we thought we could make a film in the meantime,” said Vetri.
The director further put an end to speculations of a tiff between him and Dhanush regarding the copyrights of Vada Chennai. “Dhanush is the producer of Vada Chennai, which means he is the IP owner of the film, its plot, characters, prequels, spin-offs, etc. Even if you do a comic book, he will be the IP holder of that. So, as a copyright owner, he has the moral and legal rights to ask for remuneration from those who wish to use his IP. So we shouldn’t vilify that. At the same time, the truth is that the morning after Thanu sir, Simbu sir and I met, I spoke to Dhanush and I told him that we’re planning on making this project and that we can choose to either make it as a film set in the world of Vada Chennai or as a standalone film. I told him that it depended upon him since he is the copyright owner of the world of Vada Chennai.” Vetri revealed that Dhanush gave him the liberty to do as he wishes. “What he said was, ‘Sir, don’t think in those terms. Do what you feel is right creatively. I will talk to my team here; if you think setting the film in the world of Vada Chennai is right, please go ahead. We will give you the NOC, and we don’t need any money for it.’”
The director further stated firmly that his relationship with Dhanush isn’t something that could be affected due to one film or one incident. “He will never disrupt the creative flow that I have. He always says, ‘Sir, you make sure you are in the right headspace.’ Even recently, when I faced a financial issue, he made sure I got some financial support from a producer as an advance. This is to say that Dhanush is not someone who will disturb me.”
Vetri further revealed that Dhanush was quite excited about the project that is shaping up with Simbu, an actor who is widely considered to be Dhanush’s rival. “When I informed him about this collaboration, he said, ‘Sir, this will be a different experience for you and him.’ Moreover, a few days ago, Simbu met me and said, ‘Sir, I am seeing some news regarding Dhanush sir and you. You do what you are most comfortable with. I am okay with whatever you decide, unless it disrupts your agreement and arrangement with Dhanush sir.’ So, both of them respect each other and they are ready to give the space to be myself and express myself.”
Vetri also ended rumours that he is being coerced into taking up projects. “People close to me know that nobody can force me into doing something. So nobody tries to do that; they all know that a project is set to take over our lives and our creative energies for the next 10-12 months and so the people around us will faciliate in that project, said Vetri, adding that Dhanush is once such person who has played a key role in how his films have shaped up. “And this has been the case from even before Polladhavan, and since the time I was working as an assistant in Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam. Dhanush has been very supportive in all the films that I have made. He has always had something or the other to do with the films that I have made; he would either act, or produce, or, if neither, he would sing for me. He does so because everybody around me believes that what I am trying to do is the best thing for me. So Dhanush’s stand for this film too remains the same, and all those speculations are baseless,” said Vetri.
Notably, the news about Vetri’s project with Simbu broke out after a picture from the sets was leaked online. Interestingly, the still also features director Nelson, best known for making films like Doctor, Beast and Jailer. According to a report by India Today, Nelson is set to play a cameo role in the project. The report further added that the still is from a promo shoot and that the principal photography will begin in the next few weeks.
Speculations are also rife that actors Kavin and Manikandan are set to appear in the upcoming film, with actors Andrea Jeremiah, Samuthirakani and Kishore reprising their roles from Vada Chennai.
Vada Chennai, widely considered as one of the best gangster dramas in Tamil, featured Dhanush as a young man who is pulled into a world of crime, one where you either do or die. Over the years, the film has attained cult status among audiences. Interestingly, Vetri had also announced a spin-off series centred around Ameer Sultan’s character Rajan, titled Rajan Vagaiyara; however, there haven’t been any updates on the same.
Published – June 30, 2025 01:14 pm IST
