Angamaly Diaries-fame Appani Sarath will headline a Tamil film directed by Vinod Guruvayoor. As per the actor, he will be playing Mada, a man who "lives with buffalos and even assumes their qualities."

The yet-to-be-titled film will have jallikattu as a central theme. It is expected to star prominent names from Tamil and Malayalam cinema.

"We have been working on the film for a long time. It delves into people's love for jallikattu, their issues, agriculture, and the spiritual bond between man and animal. We are planning something very raw and rural. It's an unconventional story sans fantasy elements," says Sarath, who has already begun preparing for the role.

The team will begin shooting in Neikkarapatti, Palani, on May 15.

Sarath's previous Tamil appearances include Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vanam, N Linguswamy's Sandakozhi 2, and the web-series Auto Shankar.