Wikipedia

Amaran (upcoming film)

Amaran (transl. Immortal) is an upcoming Tamil-language biographical action war film written and directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International and Sony Pictures Films India. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan portraying the role of Major Mukund Varadarajan, alongside Sai Pallavi, Bhuvan Arora, Rahul Bose, Lallu, Hanun Bawra, Ajaey Naga Raaman, Mir Salman, Gaurav Venkatesh, and Shreekumar. It is an adaptation of the book series India's Most Fearless by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, which is based on Mukund Varadarajan.

Amaran
First look poster
Directed byRajkumar Periasamy
Screenplay byRajkumar Periasamy
Based onIndia's Most Fearless
by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh[1]
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCH Sai
Edited byR. Kalaivanan
Music byG. V. Prakash Kumar
Production
companies
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budgetest. ₹150–200 crore[2]

The film was officially announced in January 2022 under the tentative title #SK21, as it is Sivakarthikeyan's 21st film as the lead actor, and the official title was announced in February 2024. Principal photography commenced in May 2023. It was shot in several locations including Kashmir, Chennai, Pondicherry and Puducherry. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by CH Sai and editing by R. Kalaivanan.

Cast edit

Production edit

Development edit

 
 
Amaran is a biography of late Major Mukund Varadarajan, who would be portrayed by Sivakarthikeyan.

After the release of Rangoon in 2017, Rajkumar Periyasamy began working on a new project. It was set to be his second directorial and second collaboration with Kamal Haasan, who was funding the project, after they previously collaborated for a reality show, hosted by Haasan; however, the director changed his mind after he was suggested by Vakil Khan to read one of the chapters from the book series India's Most Fearless by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, about Major Mukund Varadarajan. Khan further suggested him to make a biographical film about the Major, and that he can secure the rights of the book from Sony Pictures Films India, headed by Vivek Krishnani, who would give the rights and fund the venture. Rajkumar told Haasan about the biographical film and asked the latter if they could put their venture on hold, which led to Haasan agreeing to his request and also himself requesting to jointly fund the biography with Sony Pictures Films India.[3][4]

Sivakarthikeyan was signed on to portray the role of Mukund Varadarajan in late December 2021.[5] The actor and Rajkumar had collaborated before both joined the film industry for private Tamil channels and many projects and shows.[6][7] On 15 January 2022, the project was announced by Haasan while hosting the finale for Bigg Boss – season five.[8] Soon after, Raaj Kamal Films International and Sony Pictures Films India announced the project through social medias, under the tentative titles #SK21 and Production #51–for the former company.[9][10] The film is made on a production budget of ₹150–200 crore,[2] with Sivakarthikeyan reportedly receiving ₹20 crore (US$2.5 million) as his remuneration.[11] The film's official title, Amaran, was revealed on 16 February 2024,[12] the eve of Sivakarthikeyan's birthday after Rajkumar had gained permission from the makers of the 1992 film of the same name.[13][14]

Pre-production edit

Rajkumar, a few weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic, visited Varadarajan's family and gained information's about the latter's life. During an interview with Ananda Vikatan, he stated that he gained many information from many perspectives, which helped a lot to form the screenplay of the film. Initially, Rajkumar and Haasan scouted for a debut to portray Varadarajan. Until, Mahendran, co-header of Raaj Kamal Films International, suggested Sivakarthikeyan to portray him. To which, Rajkumar forward suggested it to Haasan, and him agreeing.[4]

A muhurat puja was held on 5 May 2023 at the headquarters of Raaj Kamal Films International in Chennai with the film's cast and crew, along with Varadarajan's family; however, their presence was not included in stills and videos, released by the production house, to not reveal the film's inclusion of being a biography of the Major.[15] On 3 May, G. V. Prakash Kumar was announced to score the music, in his maiden collaboration with both the director and actor.[16] Periyasamy crewed production designer Rajeevan, cinematographer CH Sai, editor R. Kalaivanan, action director Stefan Rrichter, dance choreographer Sherif, costume designers Amritha Ram, Sameera Saneesh and V. Sai for the technical crew.[17]

Casting edit

 
 
Sai Pallavi was cast, portraying as Mukund Varadarajan's wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese. Bhuvan Arora would portray Sepoy Vikram Singh, Mukund's colleague.

Sivakarthikeyan underwent intense training during the project's pre-production process, and also went through a workshop in Mumbai to change his body-language from a soft-spoken, called by Rajkumar, to an Army officer.[18] Sai Pallavi was cast, pairing opposite Sivakarthikeyan, to play the role of Mukund's wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese.[19]

Bollywood actor Bhuvan Arora was revealed to portray Sepoy Vikram Singh, Mukund's colleague, in his debut Tamil film.[20] He stated that his role was dedicated to his father, who served in the army.[21] Lallu was cast in a pivotal role, in his second collaboration with Periyasamy after Rangoon. He confirmed his inclusion on 9 June 2023, coinciding six years since the release of Rangoon.[22] Rahul Bose, Ajaey Naga Raaman, Mir Salman, and Gaurav Venkatesh were also confirmed to be part of the cast.[23] During the shooting in Puducherry, a leaked picture of Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi and a child artist playing Mukund's daughter was uploaded to social media.[24]

Filming edit

 
A part of Amaran was filmed in Kashmir.

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 5 May 2023 at Srinagar in Kashmir.[25] Shooting went on for almost two weeks,[26] with initially planning being to film there for 55-days. However, the shooting was halted due to G20 summit and security reasons.[27] Filming then resumed by 22 May.[28] Sivakarthikeyan returned to Chennai in late May.[29] After a short break, filming continued on 7 June.[30] Filming was paused on 15 July.[31] On 27 August, the schedule had concluded,[32] which lasted for 75 working days.[33]

The second schedule began on 21 October at a film city in Chennai, for filming a song sequence featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi.[34] On 9 November, production moved to Pondicherry.[35] During this schedule, family sequences were filmed.[36] In late November, reports claimed that 80-percent of filming was completed.[37] Sivakarthikeyan went clean-shaven in mid-December, for filming Mukund's younger portions.[38] Rajkumar, during an interview with Ananda Vikatan in February 2024, stated that only minor portions of Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi were left.[18]

Post-production edit

The visual effects for the film would be handled by Unifi Media.[17]

Music edit

Amaran
Soundtrack album by
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Released2024
Recorded2023–2024
StudioDivine Labs, Chennai
GenreFilm soundtrack
ProducerG. V. Prakash Kumar
G. V. Prakash Kumar chronology
Siren
(2024) 		Amaran
(2024) 		Thangalaan
(2024)

The music and background score is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, in his maiden collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and Rajkumar. Jen Martin scored music for muhurat puja video, which released on 5 May 2023. The track featured the vocals of Jen Martin, Sathya Narayanan, Madhuvanthy Ganesh and Ramani, and lyrics penned by Vishnu Edavan.[39] Rajkumar stated that there are some fast-paced dance numbers in the film.[40]

Release edit

Rajkumar stated that the film is expected to be released in the middle of 2024.[18] The streaming rights were acquired by Netflix and will be released in the Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam languages.[41]

Controversy edit

Members of the Tamilaga Makkal Jananayaga Katchi (TMJK) protested in Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Vellore and Cuddalore on 21 February 2024, alleging that the promotional teaser, released on Sivakarthikeyan's birthday, portrayed Muslims in a "bad light", and also demanded a stall on the film's release.[42][43]

References edit

  1. ^ "Teaser of SK's next Amaran launched". News Today. 17 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Sivakarthikeyan: இரண்டு மடங்கு அதிக சம்பளம் கேட்கும் சிவகார்த்திகேயன்... விடாமல் துரத்தும் AR முருகதாஸ்!". Filmibeat (in Tamil). 25 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Director Rajkumar Periasamy on working with Kamal Haasan: He is very comfortable person to work with". The Times of India. 12 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b How Major Mukund's Family accepted Amaran? - Director Rajkumar Periasamy | Sivakarthikeyan | Kamal (in Tamil). Cinema Vikatan. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan to work on four films in 2022". Only Kollywood. 25 December 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan to join forces with director Rajkumar Periyasamy?". The Times of India. 24 December 2021. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Buzz: Kamal Haasan to produce Sivakarthikeyan's next!". MovieCrow. 22 December 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  8. ^ "After 'Vikram', Kamal all set to produce his 51st film starring Sivakarthikeyan". DT Next. 15 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Kamal Haasan to produce Sivakarthikeyan's next: 'This story will move, uplift and inspire audience'". The Indian Express. 15 January 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  10. ^ "SK 21: Sai Pallavi in Kamal Haasan, Sivakarthikeyan film!". MovieCrow. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Siva Karthikeyan locks his second Telugu Film". Telugu360.com. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan's SK21 is now titled Amaran". Cinema Express. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Rajkumar Periasamy on 'Amaran' title for Sivakarthikeyan's film". The Times of India. 17 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Amaran: Rajkumar Periyasamy reveals how he secured Karthik's film title for Sivakarthikeyan". MovieCrow. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan kickstarts Sivakarthikeyan's 'SK21'! - Mass video". IndiaGlitz.com. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  16. ^ "SK 21: GV Prakash onboard Sivakarthikeyan, Kamal Haasan film". MovieCrow. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  17. ^ a b AMARAN TEASER | Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan | Sivakarthikeyan | Rajkumar | GV Prakash | R. Mahendran. Raaj Kamal Films International. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ a b c Sivakarthikeyan's Multiple Look in Amaran,Kashmir Shooting Diaries – Rajkumar Periasamy | SaiPallavi (in Tamil). Cinema Vikatan. 22 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "'Amaran' teaser: Late Major Mukund Varadharajan's wife reacts; says, 'My eternal one'". The Times of India. 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Kamal Haasan unveils Sivakarthikeyan's 'Amaran' teaser ahead of his birthday". India Today. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  21. ^ Bhuvan Arora [@bhuvanarora27] (21 February 2024). "God speed to this one! My debut in Tamil. Thank you @rajkumarperiasamy for the love and trusting me to play Sepoy Vikram singh. And thank you 'mera buddy mera bhai' @sivakarthikeyan for being all heart. This one is dedicated to my late father who served the Indian army himself but most importantly to #majormukundvaradarajan and #sepoyvikramsingh who were martyred serving our loved nation. See you in cinemas super soon". Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via Instagram.
  22. ^ "'Kaithi' & 'Master' actor confirms starring in Sivakarthikeyan's 'SK 21'". IndiaGlitz.com. 9 June 2023. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  23. ^ "SK 21 Is Now Amaran, Kamal Haasan Unveils Title Teaser Extending Birthday Wishes to Sivakarthikeyan". ETV Bharat News. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Actor Sivakarthikeyan: இணையத்தில் லீக்கான SK21 படத்தின் காட்சிகள்.. ரசிகர்கள் ஷாக்!". Filmibeat (in Tamil). 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  25. ^ "SK 21: Sivakarthikeyan starts shooting for Rajkumar Periyasamy's directorial". The Times of India. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  26. ^ "SK 21 director leaves for recce! One more Tamil film in Kashmir!". MovieCrow. 24 March 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  27. ^ "'SK 21' Kashmir schedule halts due to the G20 Summit event". The Times of India. 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  28. ^ "'SK21': Sivakarthikeyan and Rajkumar Periyasamy's film shoot resumes in Kashmir". The Times of India. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan begins dubbing for 'Maaveeran'". The Times of India. 29 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  30. ^ "SK21 resumes shoot in Kashmir?". Cinema Express. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Sai Pallavi's pilgrimage tour to Kedarnath with parents; pens a note about her experience". The Times of India. 15 July 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  32. ^ "'SK 21': It's a wrap for the Kashmir schedule of Sivakarthikeyan's film with Rajkumar Periyasamy". The Times of India. 27 August 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  33. ^ "It's a wrap for Kashmir schedule of SK21". Cinema Express. 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  34. ^ "The next schedule of 'SK 21' starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi begins in Chennai". The Times of India. 22 October 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  35. ^ "'SK 21' shoot underway in Pondicherry; Sai Pallavi's click with fans goes viral". The Times of India. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Sivakathikeyan and Sai Pallavi's characters from 'SK 21' revealed? - Hot updates". IndiaGlitz.com. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan's 'SK 21' to hit the screens on this date? - Red hot updates". IndiaGlitz.com. 25 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan shares his new look picture, reveals he is his own competition". The Times of India. 18 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  39. ^ SK21 | Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan | SPIP | Sivakarthikeyan | Rajkumar Periasamy | GV Prakash. Turmeric Media. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  40. ^ "Amaran: Director Rajkumar Periasamy talks about Sai Pallavi's role in Sivakarthikeyan starrer". Pinkvilla. 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Amaran: Sivakarthikeyan's title teaser & all about Major Mukund Varadarajan". MovieCrow. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Protests in Tamil Nadu over portrayal of Muslims in teaser of Sivakarthikeyan film 'Amaran'". The Indian Express. 22 February 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Protests erupt in TN over 'derogatory' portrayal of Muslims in Sivakarthikeyan's 'Amaran' teaser". The Times of India. 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

External links edit

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