Looks like the comedian-turned-hero Santhanam is going places. If sources are to be believed, the Inimey Ippadithaan actor, who makes intelligent moves in choosing his scripts will be surprising us with his next, an adventure comedy where a Siberian Tiger plays a crucial character. And, the icing on the cake is that he has managed to obtain Superstar Rajinikanth’s yesteryear blockbuster title — Thanikaattu Raja, which apparently goes well with his film’s content.
A few portions of the new movie will be shot in Bangkok and the US, in tiger reserves (akin to what the makers of Mohanlal’s recent hit Pulimurugan did). A major chunk will be shot in woody forest areas and the unit is already scouting for the locations. Directed by Pachaiyappan Raja, a former assistant to Rasu Madhuravan, the film, which highlights the need to conserve tiger population, will also have extensive CGI works. Raj Narayanan, who was formerly with UTV, is bankrolling the big budget film in his newly formed banner, the source adds. Apparently, the makers will shoot vital portions involving Santhanam and real tigers abroad, after getting prior permission and match it with the CG tigers, which are being created by CGI experts in a high-tech foreign studio. “The makers are spending huge amounts for the graphic work which appears for 12 minutes in the film. After getting a replica of the tiger, they will finalise the rest of the cast and crew,” an insider reveals. Meanwhile, we hear that AR Rahman is being approached to score music for Santa’s current project Sakka Podu Podu Raja.
