Ayalaan

Ayalaan (transl.Alien) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language science fiction film directed by R. Ravikumar, and produced by R. D. Raja and Kotapadi J. Rajesh under their production banners 24AM Studios and KJR Studios. It stars Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet Singh, Sharad Kelkar, and Isha Koppikar in the lead roles.[2] The music composed by A. R. Rahman,[2] and cinematography handled by Nirav Shah, and editing by Ruben.[1]

Ayalaan
Film poster
Directed byR. Ravikumar
Produced byR. D. Raja
Kotapadi J. Rajesh
Written byR. Ravikumar
StarringSivakarthikeyan
Rakul Preet Singh
Music byA. R. Rahman
CinematographyNirav Shah
Edited byRuben[1]
Production
company
24AM Studios
Distributed byKJR Studios
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Cast

Production

Development

On 16 October 2016, Sivakarthikeyan and his former manager-turned-producer R. D. Raja of 24AM Studios, announced their next project, which will be helmed by director R. Ravikumar, in his second directorial post the release of Indru Netru Naalai (2015).[5] Sivakarthikeyan stated that "it is an ambitious project, made on a huge scale, and hence it will take time, before it goes on floors".[6] Ravikumar had to enhance the script of the science-fiction film, which took more than a year, to finalise the pre-production works. In the meantime, Sivakarthikeyan decided to concentrate on Velaikkaran as well as Ponram's untitled film (later released as Seemaraja), both produced by Raja.[7]

Post the completion of Velaikkaran, Sivakarthikeyan announced that he will officially collaborate with director Ravikumar, for the project after completing the scripting works.[8] It was reported that the project will be made on a lavish scale, with top technicians being roped in for the project.[7] In mid-January 2018, Sivakarthikeyan further announced that he will start the shooting of the film only after completing the production works of Seemaraja.[9][10] The project was reportedly produced by R. D. Raja, the actor's former manager under his banner 24AM Studios.[11] On 15 January 2018, it was announced that A. R. Rahman will compose music for the film,[12] in his maiden collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan.[13] Sivakarthikeyan described it as "a dream come true moment", on associating with Rahman for the first time.[14] The makers roped in veteran cinematographer Nirav Shah as a part of the technical crew.[15][16]

In mid-July 2019, Raja decided to back out producing the film under his own banner 24AM Studios,[17] and Sivakarthikeyan himself decided to lend financial support for the film, by producing it under his own banner Sivakarthikeyan Productions.[18] However, when the project was revived in November 2018, KJR Studios had decided to cash in the shares of Raja's productions, including this project.[19] The company eventually co-produced and distributed the film along with 24AM Studios.[19] The makers announced the film's title as Ayalaan on 3 February 2020,[20] literally translate to "alien", as the film's sub-plot is based on alien invasion.[21]

Casting

In February 2018, Rakul Preet Singh was roped in to play the female lead,[22] collaborating with Sivakarthikeyan for the first time.[23][24] In April 2018, Yogi Babu and Karunakaran were reported to be a part of the film's cast.[25][26] Later, during the start of the shoot Bollywood actress Isha Koppikar, was signed in for a pivotal role marking her return to Tamil cinema,[27] a decade after her 2001 film Narasimha.[28] Sharad Kelkar was also reported to play a pivotal role in the film, making his Tamil debut.[29][30] The makers also roped in veteran actress Bhanupriya, Kothandam and Bala Saravanan to the film's cast.[31]

Filming

Principal shooting of the film began on 27 June 2018,[32] preceded by a launch event in Chennai,[33] and the film's team headed to Gokulam Studios for a brief schedule.[34][35] Nirav Shah used the Alexa LF camera, predominantly made to shoot Hollywood films,[36] thus becoming a first Indian film to be shot using Alexa LF.[37][38] Isha Koppikar joined the shooting sets in July 2018.[39] Major portions of the film were shot in Chennai.[34]

The shooting of the film was put on hold due to financial issues, as well as Sivakarthikeyan's commitments in other projects.[40] On 18 February 2019, Sivakarthikeyan had resumed the shooting of the film in Chennai.[41][40] However, Sivakarthikeyan's involvement in the shooting of Mr. Local, Namma Veettu Pillai and Hero, delayed the project further.[42] Adding to these reasons was the financial issues, surrounding Raja's production house, 24AM Studios, which led Raja backing out of the project,[17] and Sivakarthikeyan himself decided to lend financial support for the film, by producing it under his own banner.[18]

The project was later revamped on 20 September 2019, after Sivakarthikeyan sorted out the financial issues surrounding between the producers and the financiers.[43][44] He further decided to forgo his renumeration, in order to complete the film's shoot.[45] He initially revealed that 75% of the film's shooting has been completed, and the remaining portions will be shot within 25-30 days.[46][47] The shooting was resumed on 29 January 2020,[48] with the film's team being present in Chennai.[49][50] On 9 February 2020, a report claimed that the film's team worked for 15 hours to shoot the climax sequence.[51]

The film's shooting further affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[52] In July 2020, the makers reported that Sivakarthikeyan will join the shooting of the film, after wrapping his commitments with Doctor (2021).[53] Later, the makers commenced the final leg of the shoot on 26 November 2020,[54] with minimal crew, adhering to the guidelines imposed by the government.[55] A special team was designated, to observe the crew, including the director and the actor abiding the COVID-19 protocol.[55] Isha and Sharad arrived in Chennai, to join the film's shoot.[56] The final schedule took place for two months to shoot.[57] It was reported that the makers planned to shoot a special song in Chennai, featuring 600 dancers in background, which will mark the film's wrap after its completion.[58] The makers planned to shoot the song within 10 days.[59] On 24 January 2021, the makers announced that the shooting of the film has been wrapped.[60][61]

Visual effects

In an interview with The Times of India, director Ravikumar stated that, "There have been so many films in Hollywood that have shown aliens. Even in Bollywood, there’s Koi Mil Gaya, which features Jaado, the alien. I heard that the makers had used prosthetics on an artiste to get him to resemble an alien. But here, it’s all VFX. So, when Sivakarthikeyan is shooting in real time, he really has no reference to the alien that will be seen on screen. To assist him, we’ve got a small boy to stand in front of him so that he can look at somebody and act. But the challenge will be when we sync this on the VFX screen."[56] In January 2021, it was reported that the makers need more than 10 months, to complete the visual effects, and the makers spent more than ₹40 crore for the computer graphics.[62]

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack and background score is composed by A. R. Rahman, which marks his first collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and R. Ravikumar. Rahman eventually began the music sittings and composition in March 2018.[63] Despite the delay in the film's shoot, Rahman had completed composing three songs for the film,[64] apart from singing the intro song, after Sivakarthikeyan's request.[65][66]

References

  1. "'Narashima' actress Isha Koppikar joins the shooting of Sivakarthikeyan's 'Ayalaan'". The Times of India. 7 February 2020.
  2. Kumar, Karthik (4 February 2020). "Sivakarthikeyan's sci-fi film with Ravikumar titled Ayalaan". Hindustan Times.
  3. "Sivakarthikeyan-Ravikumar Film 'SK 14' Titled 'Ayalaan'; It's A Sci-Fi Bilingual". Silverscreens.in. 3 February 2020.
  4. "Sivakarthikeyan to play triple role in 'Ayalaan'?". The news minute. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  5. "Project with Ravi Kumar will be very ambitious, says Sivakarthikeyan". The Indian Express. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  6. IANS (16 October 2016). "Project with Ravi Kumar will be very ambitious: Sivakarthikeyan". Business Standard India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  7. "Sivakarthikeyan confirms teaming up with Indru Netru Naalai director for upcoming sci-fi film". Firstpost. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  8. Subramanian, Anupama (7 February 2020). "Ayalaan revived". Deccan Chronicle.
  9. "Sivakarthikeyan's next is a Sci-fi with KS Ravikumar". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  10. "Sivakarthikeyan to do a science fiction film next". The News Minute. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  11. "Sivakarthikeyan - Ravikumar project officially announced music by AR Rahman". Behindwoods. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  12. "AR Rahman to compose music for Ravikumar's upcoming sci-fi entertainer starring Sivakarthikeyan - Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  13. "AR Rahman to score music for Sivakarthikeyan's next". Hindustan Times. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  14. "AR Rahman to score music for Sivakarthikeyan's next". The Indian Express. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  15. "Nirav Shah on board for Sivakarthikeyan's next?". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  16. "Nirav Shah to crank camera for Sivakarthikeyan's sci-fi film". Sify. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  17. "Sivakarthikeyan to produce the long-delayed SCI-FI film?". Sify. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  18. "Siva lends financial support for Ravi's film". dtNext.in. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  19. "Sivakarthikeyan's long-pending sci-fi film gets a new producer". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  20. "Sivakarthikeyan's next with Ravi Kumar titled 'Ayalaan'". The News Minute. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  21. "Sivakarthikeyan's 'SK 14' titled 'Ayalaan'". The Hindu. 3 February 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  22. "Rakul Preet joins Sivakarthikeyan's sci-fi film". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  23. "Rakul Preet Singh may team up with Sivakarthikeyan for Ravi Kumar's film". The News Minute. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  24. "Rakul Preet Singh in talks to play the female lead in Sivakarthikeyan and Ravikumar's film". Behindwoods. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  25. "Yogi Babu to play a comedian in Sivakarthikeyan's sci-fi film?". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  26. "Karunakaran lands a role in Sivakarthikeyan's next". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  27. "Isha Koppikar returns to Tamil cinema with Sivakarthikeyan's film". The Indian Express. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  28. "Isha Kopikkar says Sivakarthikeyan reminds her of Superstar Rajinikanth". India Today. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  29. "Sharad Kelkar to act in Sivakarthikeyan - Ravikumar film". Behindwoods. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  30. "Sharad Kelkar lands a role in Sivakarthikeyan's next". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  31. "Sivakarthikeyan and director Ravikumar's sci-fi film gets a catchy title". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  32. "Yet another important update from actor Sivakarthikeyan - AR Rahman film". Behindwoods. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  33. "SK14: Sivakarthikeyan kicks off his next with Ravikumar". The Indian Express. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  34. "Sivakarthikeyan-Ravikumar science-fiction film goes on floors". The News Minute. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  35. "Photo: Sivakarthikeyan's next with Ravikumar goes on the floors". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  36. "Sivakarthikeyan's sci-fi film to be shot with the latest in camera technology". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  37. "Sivakarthikeyan's sci-fi film first in India to use this technology!". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  38. "Nirav Shah uses advanced new technology for Sivakarthikeyan's next". Behindwoods. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  39. "Isha Koppikar joins the sets of Sivakarthikeyan's 'SK14'". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  40. "Sivakarthikeyan resumes shoot of science-fiction film with Ravikumar. See pic". Hindustan Times. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  41. "Shooting update on Sivakarthikeyan's Sci-Fi film here". Behindwoods. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  42. "That's five back-to-back films for Sivakarthikeyan". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  43. Subramanian, Anupama (21 September 2019). "Siva Karthikeyan's SK14 to be revamped soon". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  44. "Sivakarthikeyan to join the sets of Indru Netru Naalai director's next, in November?". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  45. "Sivakarthikeyan to forego remuneration for Ravikumar's sci-fi film". Hindustan Times. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  46. "Sivakarthikeyan on Ravikumar's sci-fi film: Willing to give up my salary for this". India Today. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  47. "Sivakarthikeyan foregoes his salary for Ravikumar's sci-fi film". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  48. "Sivakarthikeyan resumes shooting for his sci-fi film". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  49. "Sivakarthikeyan and director Ravikumar resume SK 14 shoot". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  50. "Sivakarthikeyan AR Rahman Rakul Preet's Science fiction film by Ravi Kumar, title and shooting update". Behindwoods. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  51. "Sivakarthikeyan and 'Ayalaan' team, work for 15 hours straight to shoot film's climax scene". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  52. "Official update on Sivakarthikeyan's 'Doctor' and 'Ayalaan'". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  53. "Sivakarthikeyan to start shooting for 'Ayalaan' only after completing 'Doctor'?". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  54. "Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet Singh begin final schedule of Ayalaan". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  55. K., Janani (27 November 2020). "Sivakarthikeyan and Rakul Preet resume Ayalaan final schedule. See BTS pic". India Today. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  56. "Isha and Sharad in Chennai for the final schedule of Sivakarthikeyan's Ayalaan". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  57. "Sivakarthikeyan to complete Ayalaan shooting by January 2021". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  58. "Sivakarthikeyan's Ayalaan shooting to be completed in 10 days". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  59. "Rakul Preet to wrap up Ayalaan shooting in 3 days". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  60. "Shoot of Sivakarthikeyan's Ayalaan wrapped up". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  61. "Sivakarthikeyan & Rakul Preet Singh's Ayalaan: Makers call it a wrap as they share photos with the cast & crew". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  62. "Sivakarthikeyan's 'Ayalaan' needs 10 more months to wrap up the film graphic; read details". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  63. "Photo: A.R. Rahman begins work on Sivakarthikeyan's next". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  64. "AR Rahman makes Siva Karthikeyan's dream come true! - Tamil News". IndiaGlitz.com. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  65. "AR Rahman accepts Sivakarthikeyan's request". The News Minute. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  66. "AR Rahman to sing the intro track of Sivakarthikeyan!". Sify. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.