One of the terms of director Shankar’s contract with Lyca Productions for Indian 2 states that he must not exceed the budget that has been agreed upon. Producers of big budget Telugu films are reportedly considering following similar guidelines for their films too.
Speaking to Silverscreen, a source close to Lyca Productions said that the contract has not been signed yet. “We had stated some terms, but there were many changes due to the film’s delay, elections and other reasons. Since there is a pending interest amount for what has already been spent, we want to avoid further burden. So, one of the terms in the contract asks for the completion of the project within the agreed budget. It is likely to be signed soon.”
Shankar’s previous films such as 2.0 (also produced by Lyca) and Robot were made on an estimated budget of Rs 500 crores, with an approximate Rs 300 crore profit. Reports say that as per Lyca’s contract this time, the director must complete Indian 2 with the budget that was finalised at first, and also within the agreed time period.
A report by Glute says that producers are considering bringing similar rules to Telugu films, because even though big films such as Nannaku Prematho and Maharshi earned well at the box-office, the producers of these films BVSN Prasad and Dil Raju, C Ashwini Dutt and Prasad V. Potluri, did not make the profit expected as the project cost was high. They reportedly also want to add a clause that the additional costs will be charged to the director’s salary.
Shankar’s Indian 2 will also simultaneously release in Telugu as Bharateeyudu 2. Reports have it that the film is being planned for a Pongal 2021 release, but sources say nothing can be confirmed as yet.
Lyca Productions announced the film in November 2018 on Kamal Haasan’s birthday. A first-look poster released this January, with actress Kajal Aggarwal joining the sets.
Happy #Indian2 Day ??? Shooting Starts Today!! @ikamalhaasan @shankarshanmugh @anirudhofficial @dop_ravivarman @sreekar_prasad @muthurajthangvl pic.twitter.com/tcqGckSO63
— Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) January 17, 2019
The original 1996 film featured Kamal Haasan in dual roles as a father and son. Written by Sujatha and directed by Shankar, the film told the story of a vigilante Senapathy who strives to root out corruption from the system. Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar and Sukanya also starred in important roles. The sequel will star Kajal Aggarwal in the lead, and she has reportedly trained in Kalaripayattu to prepare for her part.
Meanwhile, director Shankar is said to have begun work on his next film, also a big budget project that has been in the pipeline for many years.
