The much-trumpeted Anniyan is the most eagerly awaited film in Kollywood. Director Shankar's 'dream project' is set for release on June 17, after initial hiccups.
A Rs 25-crore magnum opus, Anniyan is the costliest film to be made in south India. The cinematic extravaganza took more than a year to complete. Oscar Ravichandran is the producer of the movie, which depicts a one-man army's mission to reform the society.
The shrewd businessman that he is, Shankar has sold the Telugu dubbed version of Anniyan titled Aparichitudu for a record price. After all, hero Vikram is immensely popular in Andhra Pradesh.
Vikram, who won the national award for best actor for his standout performance in Pithamahan, plays Anniyan's protagonist. The hero, Ramanujam, affectionately called Ambi by his father Parthasarathy (Nedumudi Venu) is a lawyer by profession.
Saucy Sada plays Vikram's female interest. Character actor Prakash Raj also essays a key role in this 'racy entertainer.'
Shankar has managed to rope in Bollywood's Yana Gupta to do a sizzling item number to pep up the proceedings.
An interesting feature of Anniyan is that it is not AR Rahman who has composed its music. For once, Shankar has opted for a new composer, Harris Jayaraj. One thing is for sure. Music is going to be a major ingredient of Anniyan's success. Harris has composed some fine tunes for Anniyan, which are sure to become hits.
One of the songs has been picturised in Amsterdam, Holland, during the annual flower show. Another offbeat song is sung by Malayalam playback singer Jassy Gift, and picturised on a village in Tamil Nadu.
The lyrics are by Vairamuthu, while Manikandan is the cinematographer.
The grapevine has it that Shankar put off the release of the film, originally scheduled for June 10, to June 17, because he considers 8 to be his lucky number!
So, is it the turn of Anniyan to rake in the moolah after the fabulous run of Rajnikant's Chandramukhi? Time alone can answer this question.
Of course, both director Shankar and producer Ravichandran are confident that Anniyan would click at the box office.
Kollywood is waiting for the magical masala movie to unspool.
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