Anu Emmanuel, who was all set to work with Vikram in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s spy thriller Dhruva Natchathiram, has reportedly walked out of the project because she did not have available dates for the film’s revised schedule. Reports suggest that Telugu actress Ritu Varma has replaced her.
According to a Times of India report, Emmanuel had to drop the project as the shoot was getting postponed as Vikram will begin work on another film with Vijay Chander. Sources said that Anu had no other option but to leave as she had already shooting dates confirmed for Pawan Kalyan’s Vedalam remake.
Incidentally, it was Ritu Varma’s performance in last year’s Telugu hit Pellichoopulu that got her on board in Menon’s project. Varma, who rose to fame because of her performance in the short film Anukokunda, has since acted in several Telugu films including Yevade Subramanyam (2015). The actress has another Tamil film in the pipeline – China – directed by AR Murugadoss’ assistant Harshavardhana. The shooting has been on hold for a while.
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Dhruva Natchathiram too has has been in development for a long time, after director Gautham’s initial choice for the male lead – actor Suriya, walked out. It was originally planned to star in 2013, but Suriya pulled out of the project once it became apparent that the film wasn’t taking off. At that time, Suriya said: “I would like to mention that all I have been asking is a complete story line and bound script which only fair to be provided to an actor. Now, it has come to a point where I have lost valuable time and cannot afford to wait any further. Hence with deep sense of pain I have taken the decision to exit the project.”
Gautham Menon subsequently went on to make Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (then titled Sattendru Marudhu Vaanilai) with STR.
Vikram was signed as the male lead in 2016; following which Anu Emmanuel was signed as the female lead. With music by Harris Jayaraj, Dhruva Natchathiram was expected to release in August 2017 but the release date remains tentative as of now.