Vijay Sethupathi's next with Nithilan to be an action-drama

Actor Vijay Sethupathi is set to headline Kurangu Bommai director Nithilan's next. Backed by Passion Studios, the untitled project is billed to be an action drama. Opening up about the film, Nithilan says, "The film revolves around an extremely upright and innocent man, who is forced to become the opposite: a brutally immoral person due to a wrongful connection."

He adds that the film is more of an action-drama, "Major portions of the film consist of action sequences. However, it can also be considered a black comedy or a crime thriller."

About choosing Vijay Sethupathi as the lead, Nithilan says, "I like him a lot, and he was also apt for the character. In the film, he is a common man, a barber by profession."  

The pandemic played a major role in creating a five-year gap between Nithilan's debut Kurangu Bommai and his sophomore film. "I signed this film almost immediately after Kurangu Bommai. But it took some time for me to complete the script. The pandemic also did its part in delaying the film," he says.

Apart from Vijay Sethupathi, the yet-to-be-titled film stars Nataraj, Munishkanth, Aruldoss, and Boys fame Manikandan. The makers are currently on the search for the female lead and antagonist. "The antagonist is the most powerful character in the film, and we are still on the lookout," says Nithilan.

With Ajaneesh B Loknath composing the music, the Vijay Sethupathi-starrer will have cinematography and editing by Dinesh Purushothaman and Philomin Raj, respectively. Selva Kumar is in charge of art direction.

The film will go on floors on Wednesday, and the first schedule is set in Chennai. The makers are planning for a theatrical release in August or September.