Vijay, Atlee to team up again; film confirmed as Diwali 2019 release

After weeks of speculation, it has finally been made official that Vijay and director Atlee — best known for films such as Theri (2016) and Mersal (2017) — are all set to join hands for the third time.

On Wednesday, a formal pooja was organized to launch the film, currently dubbed as Thalapathy 63, in Chennai. To be bankrolled by AGS Entertainment, the project will have music by composer AR Rahman and it will be his third collaboration with Vijay in a row after Mersal (2017) and Sarkar (2018)

According to a statement released by the makers, the film will be an out-and-out family entertainer and will attempt a genre that will be the first-of-its-kind for Vijay.

Rumours are already doing the rounds that the film will be a sports-based drama and Vijay will be seen in the role of a coach. However, neither the makers nor Atlee has verified these reports. The statement further added that the film has been locked for release during Diwali 2019. The rest of the cast and crew are yet to be officially announced. If the industry grapevine is anything to go by, Rashmika Mandanna and Samantha Akkineni are most likely to be signed as the leading ladies.

Meanwhile, Sarkar is having a dream run at the box office and has already grossed over Rs200 crore worldwide and counting. The film, which is being dubbed as Vijay’s launch pad, has criticized the ruling government for giving out freebies to the public. There’s a scene in the film where freebies are shown being thrown into fire and AR Murugadoss himself features in it. Following stiff opposition from the ruling government, the makers blacked out the particular scene and muted a couple of dialogues. Directed by Murugadoss, the film revolves around NRI Sundar Ramaswamy, played by Vijay, as he decides to investigate the person who illegally casts his vote.