TJ Gnanavel to helm Dosa King as his next

Filmmaker TJ Gnanavel, who is gearing up for the release of Rajinikanth starrer Vettaiyan, has announced his next project on Monday.

The Jai Bhim helmer will next be making Dosa King, which revolves around the rise and fall of restaurateur P Rajagopal, written by Hemanth Rao (Kavaludaari and Sapta Saagaradaache Ello, Side A/Side) and produced by Junglee Pictures, famous for backing Raazi and Badhaai Do.

The makers say, "Dosa King is inspired by the shocking crime of the restaurant mogul, famously known as the ‘Dosa King,’ that triggered a landmark conviction after an intense 18-year legal battle—P. Rajagopal v. State of Tamil Nadu. The fictional drama chronicles events inspired by the rise and fall of the legendary and globally famous empire, Saravana Bhavan, built by P. Rajagopal, and the fearless Jeevajothi who took on the powerful tycoon."

The journalist turned director said he had been following this case even before he started making films. "I’ve been following Jeevajothi’s story since my days as a journalist. While the press sensationalized many details, much of the story remains untold. Dosa King is a hard-hitting story that exposes how the system functions, with a focus on the crime and thriller aspects of the narrative. I want to explore the extreme situations of life and tell a deeper story with an untold perspective on the case. This film is my chance to share a story I witnessed firsthand 20 years ago, and I’m thrilled to partner with Junglee Pictures, a studio known for backing important stories that need to be told,” he says.

The casting details and shoot schedule of Dosa King is yet to be revealed.