Recently, acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Vetrimaaran announced a collaboration with Silambarasan (Simbu), revealing that the next phase of the Vada Chennai world will have the actor headline a spin-off movie set in the same timeline as the events of the 2018 Dhanush-starrer.
On Tuesday, the title was announced as Arasan. A first-look poster of Simbu holding a machete, his face concealed, was released by producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu.
What's the status on Suriya's 'Vaadivaasal'?
It was earlier supposed that Vetrimaaran would be directing a project with Suriya called Vaadivaasal, however, the Visaranai maker shared that since the project is currently beset by writing delays and other technicalities concerning the safety of everyone, including the actors and animals involved in the film, Vetrimaaran decided to make the Simbu project in the meantime.
'Dhanush suggested I meet Simbu'
ஆளப்பிறந்த அரசன்
— Kalaippuli S Thanu (@theVcreations) October 7, 2025
வெற்றியுடன் சிலம்பரசன்#VetriMaaran @SilambarasanTR_#STR49 #SilambarasanTR #VCreations47 #ARASAN pic.twitter.com/zLk8chzGJl
In an earlier video statement on his official channel, Vetrimaaran shared that it was Dhanush who suggested working with Simbu, adding, "Dhanush sir had suggested I meet Simbu to discuss a new project, and within a few hours everything fell into place. So, after meeting Simbu, I called up Dhanush sir — since he is the producer and owner of the rights to any property that comes from the world of Vada Chennai —and told him that I could do this project in two ways. One, as something that's part of the Vada Chennai world. Two, as a standalone project. And he said I could do whatever I feel comfortable with, creatively speaking, and that he'll inform his team about it, that he has no issues with it, that he will give his NOC."
Vetrimaaran said that he personally wanted to release the statement because he happened to see some YouTube videos throwing around hurtful rumours and speculations about a possible rift between him and Dhanush caused by some unknown reason.
Silambarasan's previous gangster cinema outings include Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, Pathu Thala, and Thug Life.
