Silambarasan and Vetrimaaran's Arasan is shooting for a Diwali release

Silambarasan TR and Vetrimaaran’s Arasan is filming at pace for a worldwide Diwali release, the makers say, with the shoot now moving across Kovilpatti, Chennai and a purpose-built set on the city’s edge. The first schedule wrapped in Kovilpatti, and the second, in Chennai, is close to done.

Pitched as an action entertainer drawn from Vetrimaaran’s Vada Chennai universe with a fresh set of characters, Arasan has Silambarasan TR in the lead alongside Priyanka Mohan, Samuthirakani, Kishore and Andrea. Vijay Sethupathi, last paired with Vetrimaaran on Viduthalai Part 2, joins the third schedule as a police officer, while Ameer and Andrea, who played Rajan and Chandra in Vada Chennai, return to the world. Kalaipuli S Thanu produces under V Creations.

That third schedule moves to an open-air set raised in a village off the East Coast Road, a full recreation of North Chennai. People who have seen it have started comparing it favourably to the Dharavi set built for Rajinikanth’s Kaala, calling this the finer build. The team is planning to wrap the entire shoot within three months.

A first promo is already out, and the makers are yet to confirm an official release date.