If the speculation can be believed, then this will be the biggest coup in recent times in Tamil cinema. The buzz is that Vijay Sethupathi will be seen as a compelling antagonist in the Dhanush-Vetri Maaran dream project Vada Chennai, the gangster film set in North Chennai. The trilogy is being made on an epic scale. The multiple National Award-winning filmmaker Vetri Maaran has apparently been working on Vada Chennai for almost five years, and had completed script long back. He was waiting for the right time to start, owing to its mammoth production. This first-of-its-kind for Tamil cinema three-part film started rolling recently in the city with Dhanush taking part in it, sporting a new look.
The new twist is that Vijay Sethupathi, who we saw as a hero in the recently released movie Naanum Rowdy Thaan, will don the role of lead villain in Vada Chennai. Sethupathi is one actor who never shies away from exploring and experimenting with characters; he has already essayed a villain in Sasikumar’s Sundarapandian. In addition, one may recall his critically acclaimed portrayal of a middle-aged man in Pizza and a 55-year-old attention seeker in Orange Mittai.
Another big development in the casting is that Samantha, who was to play the love interest of Dhanush, is being replaced by Amala Paul. As per the sources, the reason is the rumoured impending marriage of Sam with Naga Chaitanya, which the filmmakers feel, may affect shooting schedules and continuity, given that the film has been planned in three parts. Though Vetri Maaran is tight lipped about Sethupathi’s inclusion and Samantha’s exclusion from the cast when we contacted him, reliable insiders tell us that the Pannaiyarum Padminiyum actor has indeed been brought on board for Vada Chennai.
