Oops… Really tired… Shoot went continuously till March 15th. I’m really happy to see that we’ve completed 2/3rd of the movie including four songs, three action sequences and a lot of scenes which are shot around China, Bangkok, Jodhpur, Kodaikanal, Pollachi and Chennai.

The most exciting thing happened is, ‘Weta Workshop’ of ‘Avatar’, ‘Lord of the Rings’ & ‘Hobbit’ fame and run by Richard Taylor & Peter Jackson, is taking an important part in our film in the special make up department. Like Stan Winston Studios played a major role in ‘Enthiran’, Weta is doing in ‘i’.

As a beginning we shot a song in which Vikram had a special make up done by Weta Workshop artist Sean Foot, and Vikram did a top class performance with it. Weta has done a fantastic job which is going to be something new for Indian cinema. And that was a wonderful song composed by AR Rahman, lyrics by Kabilan, choreographed by Bosco-Caesar and shot in a magnificent set erected by our own art director Muthuraj which is stunningly filmed by our master PC Sir. Our producer Ravi sir who’s an ardent lover of songs spent a lot for this one, which is really going to be worth watching I believe. And the balance 1/3rd of the movie will be full ‘N full Weta Workshop’s craft.

Many of you had asked me whether we had recreated China in Kodaikanal, and if the budget of the movie is 150 crores. In China we had got permissions for all the locations we wanted and had finished shooting as per our plan. Kodaikanal scenes are entirely different from China portions, and the budget will be less than 100 crores.

When I was shooting in Bangkok I lost my important technician and family friend, VFX supervisor Venki who worked with me and created magic in ‘Chikku bukku raile’, ‘Mukkala muqabla’, ‘Indian’, ‘Kannodu kanbathellam’ & ‘Mudhalvan’. He’s the first one who created revolution in VFX in Indian cinema and has won four national awards. My deepest condolences for his family.

Catch you soon!

Yours,
Shankar.

…just came back from China… Finished a long chill schedule of 45 days, mostly from 1 °C to 10 °C… Every day we had a different different hurdle, and it was really a tough schedule… We shot a quarter of the movie there, including a song & an action sequence.

See you soon!

Wish you a very very Happy Diwali!

Yours,
Shankar.

We’ve successfully completed a long schedule of 41 days, from July 15th to September 1st, including a song and an action sequence.

Thanks to the media and everyone who wished me for my b’day. Working for the next schedule. See you soon!

Yours,
Shankar.

It’s been a while… Was busy with the pre production of my next film, which I’ve titled ‘ஐ’. In tamil ‘i’ means beauty, king, guru, astonishment, vulnerability (softness/gentleness) etc. Produced by Aascar Films V.Ravichandran… And music composed by A.R.Rahman…

Starring Vikram, Santhanam, Malayalam super star Suresh Gopi, Ramkumar (Nadigar Thilakam Sivaji Ganesan’s eldest son) and many more… It’ll be my first venture with veteran DoP PC Sriram & writer duo SuBa.

Costume designer of ‘Men in Black’ series Mary Vogt is designing special costumes. Peter Ming of China and our own Anal Arasu will provide the daredevil stunts. Australian Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) who mesmerized us in the Harry Potter series are in charge of the VFX, and will be supervised by Srinivas.M.Mohan. Art Director Muthuraj and Editor Antony also make my team yet another time…

Under A.R.Rahman’s baton, written by Kabilan, a song was recorded recently which was sung by Vijay Prakash.

This is not a political film or about elections…
This is a full ‘N full Romantic Thriller…

The film will go on the floor from mid-July…

Yours,
Shankar.