Shankar approaches Dhanush for a key role in 'Velpari'; a dream project gathers momentum

After the mixed results of 'Indian 2' and 'Game Changer,' director S. Shankar has now moved completely into the pre-production of his most ambitious project, 'Velpari.' While fans continue to wait for 'Indian 3,' strong industry buzz says this historical film is currently his top priority. A producer has almost been finalized, and the team is working on locking the massive budget. The film is expected to be mounted on a grand scale and is seen as Shankar’s big opportunity to prove his strength again on the global stage.

Dhanush in talks for a powerful character

As per Cinema Express, actors like Suriya, Vikram, and Ranveer Singh were speculated to play the leads. Now, the latest update says Dhanush is being approached for a very important role. Discussions are said to be happening about his dates and availability. If it works out, it will mark the first collaboration between Shankar and Dhanush, making the project even more special for fans. It is worth mentioning that Shankar graced the muhurat puja of 'Dhanush 55' as a special guest. It seems like the association is a hint at their union.

A first-time combo that can change the scale

Shankar reportedly believes Dhanush’s intense performance style will perfectly suit a strong character in 'Velpari.' His performances in films like 'Asuran' and 'Vada Chennai' have already proven to be deep-set acting meanderings. Energy gets fueled in a colossal energy amalgamation, which will note the project experience like never before. There are no official words, and that’s the thing that grows interest. If the synergy strikes, 'Velpari' will be a super visual in addition to the pooling of Indian films.

A film based on the Velpari novel

According to the report, the groundwork for 'Velpari' is progressing with detailed planning and research. The film is based on the celebrated novel 'Veera Yuga Nayagan Velpari' by Su. Venkatesan, which tells the story of the brave and generous Tamil king Pari. Shankar has long described it as one of his most personal and dream projects after 'Enthiran.' The movie is expected to be made in multiple parts with world-class visuals, and the team is aiming to begin shooting in 2026.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”