Indian 2

Shankar began discussing plans to make a sequel to his 1996 film, Indian, as early as May 2015. Initial discussions were held with the producer of the original film, A. M. Rathnam of Sri Surya Movies, who stated it was too early to talk about the project.[17] Shankar later became busy with the production of 2.0 (2018) and delayed starting the project, but he continued working on a story theme for Indian 2. In late September 2017, the film was then publicly announced during the finale of the Tamil reality television show Bigg Boss Tamil in Chennai.[18] The show's host Kamal Haasan, who also played the lead in the original film, was confirmed as the lead actor and prominent Telugu film producer Dil Raju was announced to fund the project, for his film studio Sri Venkateswara Creations, thus marking his debut in Tamil.[19][20] However, Raju backed out producing the film, citing the high production costs involved,[21] and later Allirajah Subaskaran of Lyca Productions took over as the film's producer in October 2017.[22][23][24]

The film marks Shankar's reunion with Haasan after a hiatus of 24 years. Shankar decided to work with Anirudh Ravichander for the first time,[25] rather than his regular collaborators A. R. Rahman, who scored music for its predecessor,[26] and Harris Jayaraj for the film. His inclusion was later confirmed in late December 2018.[27] Art director T. Muthuraj roped in to work for the film. Ravi Varman agreed to work for the cinematography in the film,[28] but due to production delays, meant that he could not commit dates for the films, and was replaced by R. Rathnavelu.[29] Writers Jeyamohan, Kabilan Vairamuthu and Lakshmi Saravanakumar were all signed on to help complete the film's script and dialogues.[30][31][32]

Despite several proposed announcements of starting dates, the film's shoot was delayed throughout 2018 owing to Shankar's commitments with 2.0, which also faced significant production delays. Kamal Haasan also decided to use the time to release his long-delayed Vishwaroopam II (2018) and commit to his political career. In August 2018, Shankar and Kamal Haasan, announced that the film's shoot will commence in December 2018,[33] Lyca Productions, later officially announced the film on 7 November 2018, coinciding with Haasan's birthday.[34][35] Muthuraj began working on the production design during November 2018,[36] as the film's shoot was scheduled to start in late 2018, however the delay in its set work, made the team to postpone its shoot to early 2019.[37]

Nayanthara was considered for the leading female role,[38] before Kajal Aggarwal was finalised.[39] For her role, the actress learnt the basics of the Indian martial arts form Kalaripayattu.[40] Siddharth was confirmed to play another role in the film,[41][42] after the team had initially held discussions with the likes of Silambarasan,[43] Dulquer Salmaan and Arya for the same character.[44][45]

Ajay Devgn agreed to play the antagonist in the film,[46] but production delays meant that he could not commit dates for the films.[47][48] Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham were considered as replacements, but neither actor was signed.[49][50][51] Other actors including Nedumudi Venu,[52] Delhi Ganesh and RJ Balaji were also signed to portray supporting roles in the film.[53][54] However, Balaji opted out of the film in October 2019.[55] Telugu actor Vennela Kishore was announced to play a supporting role and has allotted 70 days for the film, making his Tamil debut.[12] Manobala who has acted in Anniyan, Nanban directed by Shankar was roped in for an important role.

Closer to the start of the second schedule, actors Vidyut Jammwal and Bobby Simha were signed on for roles.[56][57] While, the latter confirmed his role in the film,[58] the former denied such claims.[59] Rakul Preet Singh also joined the film to star opposite the character essayed by Siddharth,[60][61] Aishwarya Rajesh was expected to join the film,[62] but due to call sheet issues,[63][64] she was replaced by Priya Bhavani Shankar.[65][66] Vivek confirmed that he will be a part of the project,[67] collaborating with Kamal Haasan for the first time,[68] where he plays the role of a CBI officer in the film.[69] Actors Samuthirakani and George Maryan also joined the cast in supporting roles.[70]

A series of promotional posters featuring Kamal Haasan in his character were released in early January 2019 and production subsequently started on 18 January 2019.[71][47] A week-long shoot was held at a memorial home near Government General Hospital in Chennai, before the team also shot scenes at a nearby film studio.[72] However the film was again delayed after the makers had trouble with the created sets.[73][74] The shoot was pushed further owing to the Indian general election in May 2019,[75] where Kamal Haasan's political party participated.[76] Throughout the development process in 2018 and early 2019, the makers regularly denied media reports that the film had been shelved.[77] Later, the shooting was resumed in May 2019, post elections.[78] Owing to the long break between the schedules, cinematographer Ravi Varman also left the project after becoming committed to Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan,[79][80] and was subsequently replaced by R. Rathnavelu who previously worked with Shankar in Enthiran (2010).[81][82]

The second schedule began on 12 August 2019, at MGR Film City in Chennai,[83] with scenes featuring Rakul Preet Singh being shot.[84][85] Siddharth and Priya Bhavani Shankar too joined the sets on 16 August,[86] and later Kamal Haasan too joined the sets on mid-September, where his portions being filmed.[87] Haasan and team, later moved to a city hotel in T. Nagar, to proceed the shoot further.[88] On 11 September 2019, the team announced that the second schedule of the film which took place in Chennai has been completed.[89]

On 19 September 2019, the team went to Rajahmundry, shoot the film's sequences featuring Kamal Haasan.[90] Later on 23 October, Kamal and his team went to Bhopal, to shoot the film at its third schedule.[91] On 25 October, it was reported that a massive political rally along with a fight sequence,[92] involving Haasan and 2000 junior artistes was shot in Bhopal at the cost of ₹40 crore (US$5.6 million).[93][94] On 30 October 2019, it was reported that the makers head to Gwalior for a 12-day long shoot schedule,[95] which was completed within seven days.[96] Post the completion, the actor went to Chennai, to attend a felicitation ceremony for his 60 years in Tamil cinema,[97] followed by a surgery on 22 November, after he met with an accident in 2016.[98] Scenes without featuring Kamal Haasan were canned, in order to complete major portions of the film, and planned to shoot his portions, after his recovery.[99]

On 21 January 2020, it was reported that Kamal Haasan will shoot for the film post his recovery, and it will take place at the EVP Film City, Chennai which will last for 35 days.[100][101] It was reported that the film's team will change the location from China to Italy, following the fear of coronavirus pandemic.[102] The film's shoot was further interrupted following a major accident in the film's sets,[103] and also due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[104] Kamal Haasan planned to resume the shoot in January 2021 after hosting the fourth season of Bigg Boss Tamil.[105] But the makers cited the difficulties on finishing the shoot before the Tamil Nadu elections,[106] and planned to resume the shoot without Haasan in February 2021, with the other cast and the director were advised to keep themselves available for the shoot and planned to finish Haasan's portions after the elections.[107]

On 19 February 2020, during the shooting of the film, a crane carrying a heavy flash light fell on the sets,[117] resulting in the deaths of three crew members,[118] including an assistant director and leaving ten more injured. Kamal Haasan, Shankar and Kajal Aggarwal all had narrow escapes.[119][120] A case was filed against Lyca Productions, along with other three persons by the Chennai police in connection with the accident on 21 February;[121] The crane operator Rajan who had been absconded post the incident, was arrested and booked under three sections, the same day.[122] Later Haasan and Shankar were summoned by the CBI, to investigate about the accident during the sets.[123][124]

On 26 February 2020, a week after the accident, Kamal Haasan wrote a letter to Lyca Productions, to conduct safety audit, in order to prevent any unfortunate accidents.[125] The very same day, the CEO of Lyca Productions, Allirajah Subaskaran, released a statement on Twitter, stating the shoot was held completely under the supervision of Kamal Haasan and Shankar.[126][127] On 28 February, Shankar announced that, a donation of ₹1 crore will be given to the family of the deceased.[128] Following the accident, the team planned to shift the shooting location from EVP Film City to Binny Mills.[129]

While Kamal Haasan planned to resume shooting in January 2021,[130][131] he also signed Lokesh Kanagaraj's film Vikram, during the intermediate timeline,[132] and Shankar also felt disappointed with the production house for not taking a call on the resumption of the shoot.[133] A report from The Times of India stated that:[134]

Shankar had planned to resume the shoot once the government allows film shoots with a larger crew. However Lyca Productions decide to bring down the cost further to make up for the losses as a result of the lockdown, despite reducing the budget from ₹400 crore to ₹220 crore after their first disagreement. Shankar felt that would be very hard to make the film as he has envisioned with further budget cuts. So the production house decided to wait for the time, until Kamal Haasan has committed to Lokesh Kanagaraj’s film. Initially, he wanted to start the shoot after the film's completion. But, after seeing the current deadlock he did a photo shoot with celebrity photographer Venket Ram at AVM Studios a couple of days ago. This had made Shankar upset and wrote a letter to asking them to provide him with their plans for the project, and allowing him to work on another film if they intend to delay things even further.[135]

A week later, S. Shankar had a formal meeting with Aashish Singh, the newly appointed CEO of Lyca Productions, to sort out the issues regarding the delay.[136] One of the officials from the production house stated "Shankar has so far completed around 60 per cent of the film’s portions, including the intermission sequence. Even though Kamal is now focusing on Lokesh’s project, he is also keen on wrapping up this film because he feels the film will give a major boost to his political image in the upcoming state elections, and wants it to release at least by summer 2021."[134] However the company's COO, P. Kannan, denied it as a baseless rumour and stated that they did not get any kind of such information from the director. He added "The film requires a huge crew of 500-600 people on the set, so the planning is going on. We are in the process of deciding how to move forward with the shoot, and in fact, we met Kamal Haasan yesterday to discuss this. We are hoping to resume the shoot soon."[134]