ARK Saravan, the Tamil filmmaker who made his directorial debut with the 2017 Tamil fantasy comedy film Maragatha Naanayam, announced on social media on May 30 that he would be directing the sequel of the film.
He said that he had pitched the story to the film’s producer G Dillibabu, who produced the 2017 film under the banner of Axess Film Factory. Saravan said that he would begin working on the sequel after completing a film with Sathya Jyothi Films.
Speaking to Silverscreen India on condition of anonymity, a source close to the filmmaker said: “Though there was always a sequel in the director’s mind ever since the first film released, he didn’t know how to go about for a long time. The producer and director were always in talks. The script is being worked upon and he has pitched it to the producer. Production should start around next year, after Saravan finishes his film with Sathya Jyothi Films.”
#MaragathaNanayam2 கதைக்கருவை தயாரிப்பாளர் @AxessFilm டில்லிபாபு சாரிடம் கூறியிருக்கிறேன்..
அதற்கு முன்பு.. @SathyaJyothi_
நிறுவனத்துடன் விரைவில் ஒரு படத்தை துவங்க உள்ளேன்..இவற்றையெல்லாம் விட.. கொரோனாவிலிருந்து தமிழகம் விரைவில் மீண்டெழ வேண்டும் என்பதே என் பிராத்தனைகள் 🙏
— Ark Saravan (@ArkSaravan_Dir) May 30, 2021
While Saravan directed and wrote the story and screenplay of Maragatha Naanayam, the source said that the filmmaker will reprise his roles for the sequel.
“He is trying to retain the same cast members. Technical members may vary as per availability,” the source revealed.
The source said that the director’s current film with Sathya Jyothi Films would wrap up by the year-end. “Due to Covid-19, everything has been postponed. The team will begin shooting in August and soon start post-production work. They are looking to finish the film by 2021.”
Saravan’s film with Sathya Jyothi Films will be a thriller. “The script work is over and the story will revolve around a crime investigation. It will have some fantasy elements too. It will be based in Tamil Nadu in the current times. The team is looking to cast known faces and the casting announcements will happen in July,” said the source.
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The source said that Saravan wanted a gap between the releases of Maragatha Naanayam and its sequel. “The first film ended in a cliffhanger and the sequel will continue from that story, but with a fresh idea and different concept,” the source said.
Maragatha Naanayam starred Aadhi Pinisetty and Nikki Galrani in the lead roles along with Arunraja Kamaraj, Daniel Annie Pope, MS Bhaskar, Kaali Venkat, and Mime Gopi in supporting roles. The plot revolved around a jewel smuggler who employs two thieves to find a cursed stone. The film’s music was composed by Dhibu Ninan Thomas. The film is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.