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One Year of Vada Chennai: 40 lesser-known facts about the incredible journey of the film from the script to the screen

On the first anniversary of Vetrimaaran's dream project, we give you some interesting trivia on the making of the film - from its inception to the release. Read on...
On the first anniversary of Vetrimaaran's dream project, we give you some interesting trivia on the making of the film - from its inception to the release. Read on...
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Vetrimmaran wrote the final draft of Vada Chennai's script during the post-production of Aadukalam.
Vetrimmaran wrote the final draft of Vada Chennai's script during the post-production of Aadukalam.
Vetrimaaran visualized the project as a trilogy, and wanted it to be his most ambitious movie yet.
Vetrimaaran visualized the project as a trilogy, and wanted it to be his most ambitious movie yet.
Karthi was Vetri's first choice for the role of Anbu. Karthi was signed to play the lead in February 2010.
Karthi was Vetri's first choice for the role of Anbu. Karthi was signed to play the lead in February 2010.
In February 2010, it was revealed that the film would see Karthi play the lead role of a fisherman who is drawn into a mafia gang unwillingly.
In February 2010, it was revealed that the film would see Karthi play the lead role of a fisherman who is drawn into a mafia gang unwillingly.
Anushka Shetty was first signed to play the female lead. The character was that of a loud-mouthed Marwari girl.
Anushka Shetty was first signed to play the female lead. The character was that of a loud-mouthed Marwari girl.
The film was originally supposed to be produced by Dayanidhi Azhagir under his banner of Cloud Nine movies.
The film was originally supposed to be produced by Dayanidhi Azhagir under his banner of Cloud Nine movies.
However, Karthi pulled out of the project citing creative differences, and the film got delayed.
However, Karthi pulled out of the project citing creative differences, and the film got delayed.
Following multiple delays, Vetrimaaran began considering other scripts and put the project in the back burner.
Following multiple delays, Vetrimaaran began considering other scripts and put the project in the back burner.
In October 2011, Vetrimaaran revived the project, and signed up Simbu to play the lead.
In October 2011, Vetrimaaran revived the project, and signed up Simbu to play the lead.
Rana Daggubati was first approached for the role of Rajan , which was ultimately played by Ameer. Rana later walked out of the film citing multiple delays.
Rana Daggubati was first approached for the role of Rajan , which was ultimately played by Ameer. Rana later walked out of the film citing multiple delays.
Vetri revealed in November 2011 that the core story of Vada Chennai was first written in 2003 and that he took notes from it to make his other two films. The script was rewritten later in 2010
Vetri revealed in November 2011 that the core story of Vada Chennai was first written in 2003 and that he took notes from it to make his other two films. The script was rewritten later in 2010
In January 2013, Divya Spandana, who previously worked with Vetrimaaran in Polladhavan, was approached for a role but did not sign on
In January 2013, Divya Spandana, who previously worked with Vetrimaaran in Polladhavan, was approached for a role but did not sign on
Reports in 2013 suggedted that Jiiva has replaced Simbu as the lead, after the latter quit the project because of date issues.
Reports in 2013 suggedted that Jiiva has replaced Simbu as the lead, after the latter quit the project because of date issues.
In April 2012, Dayanidhi announced that VadaChennai was postponed and Vetri would move on to make another film for his production house starring Dhanush in the lead.
In April 2012, Dayanidhi announced that VadaChennai was postponed and Vetri would move on to make another film for his production house starring Dhanush in the lead.
Vetri started filming for a new project, titled Soodhadhi, starring Dhanush, in March 2014. Months into production, the film was shelved without a formal announcement.
Vetri started filming for a new project, titled Soodhadhi, starring Dhanush, in March 2014. Months into production, the film was shelved without a formal announcement.
In May 2015, Dhanush revealed that he would produce and feature in Vada Chennai and the venture would restart production in September 2015..
In May 2015, Dhanush revealed that he would produce and feature in Vada Chennai and the venture would restart production in September 2015..
Samantha Akkineni was signed to play the lead character of Padma in June 2015. Andrea's involvement in the film was also confirmed
Samantha Akkineni was signed to play the lead character of Padma in June 2015. Andrea's involvement in the film was also confirmed
Santhosh Narayanan was signed as the film's composer after Dhanush had a fall-out with GV Prakash Kumar
Santhosh Narayanan was signed as the film's composer after Dhanush had a fall-out with GV Prakash Kumar
G.B. Venkatesh, who had assistsed Kishore T.E. on Visaranai was roped as the film editor, after the latter's untimely demise.
G.B. Venkatesh, who had assistsed Kishore T.E. on Visaranai was roped as the film editor, after the latter's untimely demise.
Vetrimaaran revealied in late 2005 that he is planning to shoot all the three parts over three hundred days.
Vetrimaaran revealied in late 2005 that he is planning to shoot all the three parts over three hundred days.
In early 2016, Jiiva and Vijay Sethupathi were approached for portraying pivotal characters in the film, though neither actor ultimately signed on.
In early 2016, Jiiva and Vijay Sethupathi were approached for portraying pivotal characters in the film, though neither actor ultimately signed on.
Lyca Productions took over the film by the summer of 2016.
Lyca Productions took over the film by the summer of 2016.
Samantha opted out of the film just before the beginning of shoot citing scheduling issues, and was promptly replaced by Amala Paul.
Samantha opted out of the film just before the beginning of shoot citing scheduling issues, and was promptly replaced by Amala Paul.
Though Vijay Sethupathi didnt sign up for the role of Rajan, he agreed in principle to portray an extended cameo. Dhanush officially announced his inclusion in July 2016.
Though Vijay Sethupathi didnt sign up for the role of Rajan, he agreed in principle to portray an extended cameo. Dhanush officially announced his inclusion in July 2016.
In early 2017, Vijay Sethupathi and Amala Paul opted out of the project owing to yet another delay, with the actors being replaced by Ameer and Aishwarya Rajesh, respectively.
In early 2017, Vijay Sethupathi and Amala Paul opted out of the project owing to yet another delay, with the actors being replaced by Ameer and Aishwarya Rajesh, respectively.
Before signing up Ameer, Vetri approached Telugu actor Ravi Teja for Rajan's role, but the latter couldn't take up the offer because of his ongoing Telugu projects.
Before signing up Ameer, Vetri approached Telugu actor Ravi Teja for Rajan's role, but the latter couldn't take up the offer because of his ongoing Telugu projects.
Art Director Jacki designed the sets of Andhra Pradhesh in Binny Mills in Chennai.
Art Director Jacki designed the sets of Andhra Pradhesh in Binny Mills in Chennai.
The production was again delayed as Vetrimaaran sought to get his previous film, Visaranai ready for the Academy Awards nomination process, which prompted Dhanush to move on to work on other films.
The production was again delayed as Vetrimaaran sought to get his previous film, Visaranai ready for the Academy Awards nomination process, which prompted Dhanush to move on to work on other films.
During this break between schedules, Vetri began pre-production work on another film starring G. V. Prakash Kumar. But that project hasn't materialized till now.
During this break between schedules, Vetri began pre-production work on another film starring G. V. Prakash Kumar. But that project hasn't materialized till now.
Shooting ended in February 2018. Reports suggested that the crew had shot footage for four hours.
Shooting ended in February 2018. Reports suggested that the crew had shot footage for four hours.
The film was then cut to its present length of 196 minutes on the editing table with the help of extensive first-person narration.
The film was then cut to its present length of 196 minutes on the editing table with the help of extensive first-person narration.
The film's non-linear narrative was also a decision taken at the edit-table.
The film's non-linear narrative was also a decision taken at the edit-table.
Vetri refused to agree for the cuts suggested by the censor board, and accepted an A certificate for the film. The cuss words in the film weren't also muted.
Vetri refused to agree for the cuts suggested by the censor board, and accepted an A certificate for the film. The cuss words in the film weren't also muted.
Vada Chennai also marks the 25th film of Santhosh Narayanan as music composer in his career.
Vada Chennai also marks the 25th film of Santhosh Narayanan as music composer in his career.
Post-release, the film drew criticism for allegedly portraying the residents of North Chennai people in a bad light.
Post-release, the film drew criticism for allegedly portraying the residents of North Chennai people in a bad light.
The intimate scenes between Andrea and Ameer on a fishing boat invited a lot of protests from the fishermen community.
The intimate scenes between Andrea and Ameer on a fishing boat invited a lot of protests from the fishermen community.
Vetrmaaran, in a statement, apologised to anyone who may have been hurt by the film through a video, stating that it was not his intention to portray someone poorly and make money out of it.
Vetrmaaran, in a statement, apologised to anyone who may have been hurt by the film through a video, stating that it was not his intention to portray someone poorly and make money out of it.
Vetri Maaran, in a recent press interaction, hinted at the possibility of making the remaining two parts of the trilogy as a web series.
Vetri Maaran, in a recent press interaction, hinted at the possibility of making the remaining two parts of the trilogy as a web series.
Vetri Maaran, in a recent press interaction, hinted at the possibility of making the remaining two parts of the trilogy as a web series.
Vetri Maaran, in a recent press interaction, hinted at the possibility of making the remaining two parts of the trilogy as a web series.
At the 8th South Indian International Movie Awards, Vada Chennai won the Best Actor for Dhanush
At the 8th South Indian International Movie Awards, Vada Chennai won the Best Actor for Dhanush
Aishwarya Rajesh
Dhanush
Andrea Jeremiah
Vetri Maaran
Ameer
Vetrimaaran
Vada Chennai

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