A behind-the-scenes clip of Silambarasan and filmmaker Vetrimaaran shooting their new film Arasan has been released by the makers. A gangster drama, the film is a spin-off of Vetrimaaran's critically acclaimed hit Vada Chennai, starring Dhanush. Not a sequel, Arasan is said to chronicle events that are occurring in the same timeline as Vada Chennai, if the visuals from the first teaser are anything to go by, with Simbu's character arc running parallel to the events in the original film. It's also a period piece that jumps between different time periods.
The shooting location is Kovilpatti, where the actor and director were joined by Vijay Sethupathi, Samuthirakani, and a few other familiar faces. Andrea Jeremiah, who played an integral character in Vada Chennai, is also part of the cast.
It is produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu under his V Creations banner, and marks the first collaboration between Simbu and acclaimed director Vetrimaaran.
The casting of Vijay Sethupathi, who worked with Vetrimaaran on the two Viduthalai films, was announced last month. Vetrimaaran, whose last release was Viduthalai-Part 2, was earlier expected to direct a project with Suriya called Vaadivaasal; however, the filmmaker has put it on hold due to writing delays and other technicalities that concern the safety of everyone, including the actors and animals involved in the film. He then decided to make the Simbu project in the meantime.
In an earlier video statement, Vetrimaaran opened up on the Simbu collaboration. "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," said the Visaaranai maker.
Sethupathi and Simbu previously shared the screen in Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.