Amaran (upcoming film)

Indian film

Amaran

First look poster

Directed by| Rajkumar Periasamy
Screenplay by| Rajkumar Periasamy
Based on| India's Most Fearless
by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh[1]
Produced by|

* Kamal Haasan
* R. Mahendran
* Vivek Krishnani

Starring|

* Sivakarthikeyan
* Sai Pallavi
* Bhuvan Arora

Cinematography| CH Sai
Edited by| R. Kalaivanan
Music by| G. V. Prakash Kumar

Production
companies

Raaj Kamal Films International
Sony Pictures Films India

Country| India
Language| Tamil

Amaran (transl. Immortal)[a] is an upcoming Tamil-language 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.

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 is being shot spoardically in several legs, with filming locations including Kashmir, Chennai, Pondicherry and Pudicherry. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by CH Sai and editing by R. Kalaivanan.

## Cast[edit]

* Sivakarthikeyan as Major Mukund Varadarajan
* Sai Pallavi as Indhu Rebecca Varghese
* Bhuvan Arora as Sepoy Vikram Singh
* Rahul Bose
* Lallu
* Shreekumar
* Hanun Bawra
* Ajaey Naga as Rajesh Shukla
* Mir Salmaan as Saifudeen
* Gaurav Venkatesh as Venkanna

## Production[edit]

### Development[edit]

Amaran is a biography film of late Major Mukund Varadarajan (L), who would be portrayed by Sivakarthikeyan (R).

After the release of Rangoon in 2017, Rajkumar Periyasamy, the director of the film, began working on a project, which would be funded by Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran, headers of Raaj Kamal Films International. It was set to be Rajkumar's second directorial, however, the director was suggested by Vakhil 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 biography 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 fund the venture. Rajkumar told Haasan about the biological 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]

Sivakarthikeyan was signed on to portray the role of Mukund Varadarajan in late December 2021.[4] The actor and Rajkumar has had a history of collaboration, with them previously, before being introduced in the cinema industry, joining hands together for private Tamil channels and many projects and shows.[5] On 15 January 2022, Raaj Kamal Films International and Sony Pictures Films India publicly announced their jointly produced project, through their respective social media accounts, under the tentative titles #SK21 and Production #51–for the former company.[6] Vakhil Khan, who suggested the director to make the film, served as the co-producer, and the film's official title, Amaran, was revealed on 16 February 2024,[7] coinciding the eve of Sivakarthikeyan's birthday and with them also have gained permission from the makers of the 1992 film of the same name. The film's status of being a biography of Major Mukund Varadarajan was not disclosed until the the title reveal.[8]

### Pre-production[edit]

Rajkumar, before the COVID-19 pandemic, went to 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 alot 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 suggesting it to Haasan, and him agreeing.[3] A muhurat puja was held on 5 May 2023 with at the headquarters of Raaj Kamal Films International in Chennai with the film's cast and crew, along with Varadarajan's family.[9]

Sivakarthikeyan was reported to receive a remuneration of ₹20 crore (US$2.5 million).[10] G. V. Prakash Kumar was announced to score the music a few days before the muhurat puja.[11] CH Sai, who worked as cinematographer for short film Iruvitham, was signed to handle it in this film, in his feature debut. R. Kalaivanan was choosen to edit the film, in his fourth venture. Award-winning action director Stefan Richter from Hollywood was finalised as the action choreographer. Periyasamy further chose production designer Rajeevan, dance choreographer Sherif, costume designers Amritha Ram, Sameera Saneesh and V. Sai, and publicity designer Kabilan, for the technical crew.[12]

### Casting[edit]

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

Sivakarthikeyan underwent intense training for almost a year during the project's pre-production process, to play the role of Major Mukund Varadarajan.[13][14] The actor stated, "I'm honored to portray the role of #MajorMukundVaradarajan", through X (formerly Twitter) during the title teaser reveal.[15] Sai Pallavi was cast, pairing opposite Sivakarthikeyan, in her first pairing with the latter.[16] She would play the role of Mukund's wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese, and was announced to be a part of the cast on 9 May 2022, coinciding with her birthday.[17] Bollywood actor Bhuvan Arora was revealed to portray as Sepoy Vikram Singh, Mukund’s colleague, in his debut Tamil film. He stated that his acting was dedicated to his father, who also served in the army.[18]

Lallu was cast in a pivotal role, in his second collaboration with Periyasamy after Rangoon. He announced his inclusion on 9 June 2023.[19] Rahul Bose was confirmed to play a important role in the film, collaborating with both Sivakarthikeyan and Periyasamy for the first time.[20] During the shooting in Puducherry, a leaked picture of Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi and said-so daughter in the film was uploaded to social media, which revealed that Sivakarthikeyan would play the role of a father, and Pallavi would play the role of a mother.[21]

### Filming[edit]

A part of Amaran was filmed in Kashmir.

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 5 May 2023 in Kashmir.[22] However, the shooting was halted a few days later, due to an ongoing event there.[23] Filming then resumed by 22 May.[24] The schedule concluded by 1 September, with a working day of 75 days.[25] The second schedule began in Chennai on 21 October.[26] On 9 November, the filming continued in Pondicherry.[27] Shooting resumed in Puducherry by late November. By then, 80–percent of filming was reportedly completed.[28]

## Music[edit]

The music and background score is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, in his maiden collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and Rajkumar.[29]

## Release[edit]

The streaming rights were acquired by Netflix. The film is to be released in the Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam languages.[30]

## 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.[31]

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ The title also means "Warrior" and "Godly".[2]

## 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. ^ "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.
3. ^ a b How Major Mukund's Family accepted Amaran? - Director Rajkumar Periasamy | Sivakarthikeyan | Kamal, retrieved 23 February 2024
4. ^ "Buzz: Kamal Haasan to produce Sivakarthikeyan's next!". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
5. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan to join forces with director Rajkumar Periyasamy?". The Times of India. 24 December 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
6. ^ "Kamal Haasan to produce Sivakarthikeyan's next: 'This story will move, uplift and inspire audience'". The Indian Express. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
7. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (16 February 2024). "'Amaran' teaser: Sivakarthikeyan as Major Mukund Varadarajan prepares his men for battle". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
8. ^ "Rajkumar Periasamy on 'Amaran' title for Sivakarthikeyan's film". The Times of India. 17 February 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
9. ^ "SK 21: Sivakarthikeyan starts shooting for Rajkumar Periyasamy's directorial". The Times of India. 5 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
10. ^ "Siva Karthikeyan locks his second Telugu Film". Telugu360.com. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
11. ^ "SK 21: GV Prakash onboard Sivakarthikeyan, Kamal Haasan film". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan undergoes intense training for SK21; title teaser on 16th February". The Times of India. 12 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
14. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan meets Rajkumar Periyasamy in Mumbai as the 'SK 21' duo to start the shoot soon". The Times of India. 13 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
15. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan Plays Real Life Hero Major Mukund Varadarajan In His Next Film Amaran". Times Now. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
16. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan's 'SK 21' to be high on patriotism, reveal stunt duo Anbariv". The Times of India. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
17. ^ "It's official: Sai Pallavi in Sivakarthikeyan's film with Rajkumar Periasamy". The Times of India. 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
18. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
19. ^ "'Rangoon' actor Lallu joins the cast of 'SK 21'". The Times of India. 10 June 2023. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
20. ^ Rambabu (16 February 2024). "Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi project titled Amaran". cinejosh.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
21. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan plays a never-before role in 'SK 21', leaked picture goes viral". The Times of India. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
22. ^ "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.
23. ^ "'SK 21' Kashmir schedule halts due to the G20 Summit event". The Times of India. 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
24. ^ "'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 13 July 2023.
25. ^ "Check out Sivakarthikeyan's new look from 'SK 21'". The Times of India. 1 September 2023. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
26. ^ "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 22 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
27. ^ "'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 14 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
28. ^ "Buzz: Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi's 'SK 21' to be released in August 2024!". The Times of India. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
29. ^ "GV Prakash Kumar spills beans on Sivakathikeyan's SK 21; says it'll be big news". Pinkvilla. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
30. ^ "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.
31. ^ "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.

## External links[edit]

* Amaran at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Raaj Kamal Films International

Key people|

* Kamal Haasan
* Chandrahasan

Films|

* Raja Paarvai (1981)
* Vikram (1986)
* Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987)
* Sathyaa (1988)
* Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)
* Thevar Magan (1992)
* Magalir Mattum (1994)
* Kuruthipunal (1995)
* Sathi Leelavathi (1995)
* Chachi 420 (1997)
* Hey Ram (2000)
* Nala Damayanthi (2003)
* Virumaandi (2004)
* Mumbai Xpress (2005)
* Unnaipol Oruvan (2009)
* Vishwaroopam (2013)
* Uttama Villain (2015)
* Thoongaa Vanam (2015)
* Vishwaroopam II (2018)
* Kadaram Kondan (2019)
* Vikram (2022)
* Amaran (TBA)
* Marudhanayagam (TBA)
* Thug Life (TBA)

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