Vadivelu, the comedian who was last seen in the 2017 action drama film Mersal, is expected to make his comeback with filmmaker Suraj’s upcoming Tamil film Naai Sekar, according to DT Next.
No official announcement, however, has been made yet.
According to the report, the film is named after a character from the comedian’s role in the Tamil film Thalai Nagaram (2006), also directed by Suraj. Naai Sekar will be a spin-off series of Thalai Nagaram.
The role, which earned Vadivelu appreciation, became a cult comical character in the Tamil comedy space. His dialogue from the film, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, went on to become the title of filmmaker Vignesh Shivan’s romantic comedy film in 2015.
Naai Sekar, which will be shot in a single stretch, will go on floors from April, the report added.
Naai Sekar will mark Vadivelu’s fourth collaboration with Suraj. They had collaborated in Tamil action comedies, including Marudhamalai (2007), and Kaththi Sandai (2016).
While Thalai Nagaram also featured filmmaker Sundar C, actors Prakash Raj and Jyothirmayi, the cast of Naai Sekhar is yet to be revealed.
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In 2018, Vadivelu was banned from being cast in Tamil films, after he allegedly refused to co-operate with the makers of Imsai Arasan 24am Pulikecei, a sequel to his 2006 hit comedy film Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei. The film’s producer Shankar, and director Chimbu Deven had approached the Tamil Film Producers Council for a dialogue after Vadivelu refused to cooperate with them citing creative differences. Vadivelu did not respond to the negotiation. When the council gave an ultimatum to Vadivelu to either resume shooting or pay Rs 9 crore as relief, he refused to do. He was subsequently banned from being cast in Tamil films.
Suraj is known for making several comedy films, including the Dhanush starrer Mappillai (2011), and Padikkadavan (2009).
Silverscreen India tried to contact Suraj, and Vadivelu, but they were unavailable for comment.