Viduthalai (transl. Liberation) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by Vetrimaaran.[1][2] Produced by Elred Kumar under the banners of RS Infotainment.[3] The film stars Soori, Vijay Sethupathi and Gautham Vasudev Menon.[4] This film was presented by RS Infotainment. The film is adapted from short story Thunaivan written by Jeyamohan.[5]
Viduthalai | |
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![]() First look poster | |
Directed by | Vetrimaaran |
Screenplay by | Vetrimaaran |
Based on | Thunaivan by B. Jeyamohan |
Produced by | Elred Kumar |
Starring | Soori Vijay Sethupathi Gautham Vasudev Menon |
Cinematography | R. Velraj |
Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | RS Infotainment |
Distributed by | Red Giant Movies |
Release date | 4 November 2022 |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
During the pre-production works of Vaadivaasal, Vetrimaaran was reported to collaborate with Soori for another project in July 2019,[6] due to the extensive pre-production of the former.[6] Vetrimaaran decided to adapt late Na. Muthukumar's short story Pattamppoochi Virpavan and later opted for Meeran Moideen's novel Ajnabi, which involved multiple foreign locations such as Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In April 2020, due to the restrictions in air travel in order to curb COVID-19 pandemic, Vetrimaaran had decided to make changes in the script and used the lockdown period for pre-production works.[7] Media reports later claimed that, Vetrimaaran had adapted the short story Thunaivan written by B. Jeyamohan, with the film being titled the same.[8][9] However, the makers decided to title the film as Viduthalai,[2] which was officially confirmed on 21 April 2021 with the first look being released.[10][11]
In January 2021, Vijay Sethupathi joined the film's cast and also shot few portions during the commencement of the shoot,[12] thus marking his first collaboration with Vetrimaaran.[13] Vetrimaaran revealed that Sethupathi would play the role of Soori's mentor in the film, which is said to be a crucial one, although Soori plays a crucial part in the story.[14] The team recreated Sethupathi's character, which is based on Vaathiyaar, a member from Tamil Desiyam Group.[15] While Soori's character is based on the Indian bandit Veerappan, the team rubbished the rumours clarifying that there is no connection of Veerappan with the script.[15]
Bharathiraja was reported to join the film in his first collaboration with Vetrimaaran, although he was replaced by Kishore during the filming of the first schedule.[16] Ilaiyaraaja was reported to compose music for the film marking his first collaboration with Vetrimaaran.[17] In January 2021, Bhavani Sre, sister of composer G. V. Prakash Kumar was announced playing the female lead, in her third feature film after Ka Pae Ranasingam and Paava Kadhaigal.[18][19] In April 2021, Gautham Menon was reported to play the role of a cop in the film.[20]
The team moved to Sathyamangalam forest to shoot major sequences featuring Soori during December 2020,[21][22] and filming eventually began on 4 January 2021.[23] Bharathiraja opted out of this schedule citing the climatic conditions, which led Vetrimaaran to replace him with Kishore.[24][25] The entire film has been shot in an iPhone, which is used in order to control production costs.[26] The shooting of the film took place in Sathyamangalam for three months, and the team moved to Chengalpattu in April 2021, in which the team erected a huge police camp set, and shooting of the film happened for 20 days.[15] The team later planned to shoot the last leg of the film at Sathyamangalam after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.[27]
The films soundtrack is composed by Ilaiyaraaja in his maiden collaboration with Vetrimaaran. Ilaiyaraaja composed the song of the film in his newly launched music studio in Kodambakkam, after his fallout with Prasad Studios where he recorded songs for nearly four decades;[28] It marks his first work being recorded at his new studio where music composition of the film began in February 2021.[29] As of May 2021, Ilaiyaraaja recorded three out of eight songs being planned for the film and are touted to be "situational numbers" as per sources.[30]
Viduthalai is distributed by Red Giant Movies, and will release in two parts.[31]
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