Amaran (2024 film)

Amaran is an upcoming Tamil-language biographical war drama film directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, together with Sony Pictures Films India. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan portraying the role of Major Mukund Varadarajan, alongside Sai Pallavi, Bhuvan Arora, Rahul Bose, Lallu, Shreekumar, Shyam Mohan, Ajaey Naga Raaman, Mir Salman and Gaurav Venkatesh. It is an adaptation of the book series India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Millitary by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, which is based on Mukund Varadarajan.

The film was officially announced in January 2022 under the tentative title Sivakarthikeyan 21, as it is his 21st film as a lead actor, and the official title was announced in February 2024. Principal photography began in May 2023 with a sporadic schedule at Kashmir along with schedule in Chennai, which was again followed by another schedule held at Pondicherry and Puducherry, and wrapped by the later May. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by CH Sai and editing by R. Kalaivanan.

Amaran is scheduled to be released worldwide on 31 October 2024, coinciding with Diwali.

Cast

 * Sivakarthikeyan as Major Mukund Varadarajan "Maddy"
 * Sai Pallavi as Indhu Rebecca Varghese
 * Bhuvan Arora as Sepoy Vikram Singh
 * Rahul Bose as Colonel Amit Singh Dabas, Mukund's Commanding Officer
 * Lallu as Ravi Shankar
 * Shreekumar as Michael
 * Shyam Mohan as Indhu's Brother
 * Ajaey Naga Raaman as Rajesh Shukla
 * Mir Salmaan as Saifudeen
 * Gaurav Venkatesh as Venkanna
 * Rohan Surya Kanuma Reddy as Rifleman Narasimha Rao
 * Hanun Bawra
 * Lada Singh
 * Vikas Bangar
 * Anbu Thasan
 * Umair Ibn Lateef
 * Harshdeep Singh
 * Abhinav Raj
 * John Kaipallil

Development
After the release of Rangoon in 2017, Rajkumar Periyasamy began working on a new project, which was set to be his second directorial. It was also set to be produced by Kamal Haasan, in his second collaboration with director after the latter previously worked on a reality show, hosted by Haasan. The director, however, changed his mind after he was suggested by Vakil Khan to read one of the chapters from the book series India's Most Fearless by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, which is about Major Mukund Varadarajan. Khan further suggested him to make a biographical film about the Major, whereas he would secure the rights of the book from Sony Pictures Films India, who would give the rights and fund the venture. After asking to put their venture on hold, Haasan agreed to Rajkumar's request and also requested requested himself to jointly fund the biography with Sony Pictures Films India.

Sivakarthikeyan was signed on to portray the role of Mukund Varadarajan in late December 2021. The actor and Rajkumar had collaborated before both joined the film industry for private Tamil channels, many projects and shows. The following January, Haasan announced the project while hosting the finale for Bigg Boss: season five. His company, Raaj Kamal Films International, along with Sony Pictures Films India, made a public announcement on 15 January, confirming the project, tentatively titled #SK21 and Production #51–for the former company. The film is made on a production budget of ₹150–200 crore, with Sivakarthikeyan being reported to receive inr 200000000 for his remuneration. The film's official title, Amaran, was announced on 16 February 2024, the eve of the Sivakarthikeyan's birthday after Rajkumar had gained permission from the makers of the 1992 film of the same name.

Pre-production
Rajkumar, a few weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic, visited Varadarajan's family and gained information's about the latter's life. During an interview with Ananda Vikatan, he stated that he gained many information from many perspectives, which helped a lot to form the screenplay of the film. Initially, Rajkumar and Haasan scouted for a debut to portray Varadarajan. Until, Mahendran, co-header of Raaj Kamal Films International, suggested Sivakarthikeyan to portray him. To which, Rajkumar forward suggested it to Haasan, and him agreeing.

A muhurat puja was held on 5 May 2023 at the headquarters of Raaj Kamal Films International in Chennai with the film's cast and crew, along with Varadarajan's family; however, their presence was not included in stills and videos, released by the production house, to not reveal the film's inclusion of being a biography of the Major. On 3 May, G. V. Prakash Kumar was announced to score the music, in his maiden collaboration with both the director and actor. Periyasamy crewed production designer Rajeevan, cinematographer CH Sai, editor R. Kalaivanan, duo stunt choreographers Anbariv, dance choreographer Sherif, costume designers Amritha Ram, Sameera Saneesh and V. Sai for the technical crew.

Casting
Sivakarthikeyan underwent immerse training for almost a year during the pre-production process for his role as Mukund Varadarajan. Rajkumar stated that the actor also went through a workshop at Mumbai to change his body-language from a soft-spoken to an Army officer. Sai Pallavi was cast, pairing opposite Sivakarthikeyan, in her first pairing with the actor. She would play the role of Mukund's wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese, and would receive a remuneration of ₹3 crore. Bollywood actor Bhuvan Arora was revealed to portray Sepoy Vikram Singh, Mukund's colleague, in his debut Tamil film. He stated that his role was dedicated to his father, who served in the army.

Lallu was cast in a pivotal role, in his second collaboration with Periyasamy after Rangoon. He confirmed his inclusion on 9 June 2023, coinciding six years since the release of Rangoon. Rahul Bose, Ajaey Naga Raaman, Mir Salman, and Gaurav Venkatesh were also confirmed to be part of the cast. During the shooting in Puducherry, a leaked picture of Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi and a child artist playing Mukund's daughter was uploaded to social media.

Filming
Principal photography began with the first schedule on 5 May 2023 at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Shooting went on for almost two weeks, with initially planning being to film there for 55-days. However, the shooting was halted due to G20 summit and security reasons. Filming then resumed by 22 May. Sivakarthikeyan returned to Chennai in late May. After a short break, filming continued on 7 June. Filming was paused on 15 July. On 27 August, the schedule had concluded, which lasted for 75 working days.

The second schedule began on 21 October at a film city in Chennai, for filming a song sequence featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi. On 9 November, production moved to Pondicherry. During this schedule, family sequences were filmed. In late November, reports claimed that 80-percent of filming was completed. Sivakarthikeyan went clean-shaven in mid-December, for filming Mukund's younger portions. Rajkumar, during an interview with Ananda Vikatan in February 2024, stated that only minor portions of Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi were left. After a month break, the unit kick-started their final schedule on 26 April 2024, shooting the scenes of Major Mukund and Sepoy Vikram's martyring, on the fateful night of 25 April 2014, during the Qazipathri Operation (Shopian Encounter) involving the Anbariv stunt duo. Filming wrapped by 25 May 2024.

Post-production
The visual effects for the film would be handled by Unifi Media.

Music
The music and background score is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, in his maiden collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and Rajkumar. Jen Martin scored music for muhurat puja video, which released on 5 May 2023. The track featured the vocals of Jen Martin, Sathya Narayanan, Madhuvanthy Ganesh and Ramani, and lyrics penned by Vishnu Edavan. Rajkumar stated that there are some fast-paced dance numbers in the film. In mid-June, when Prakash was asked about the first single of Amaran, he responded that the music of Amaran is complete, and he is just waiting for the production's approval for the release of the first single.

Theatrical
Amaran is scheduled to release worldwide on 31 October 2024 in theatres, coinciding with Diwali, clashing with Vidaamuyarchi. Apart from the original Tamil language, it is also scheduled to be released dubbed in the Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam languages. Initially, the film was reportedly scheduled to release on 15 August, coinciding with Independence Day. However, it was soon after reported to have been postponed to 27 September, but was pushed once again.

Distribution
Red Giant Movies acquired the distribution rights for the film in Tamil Nadu. Home Screen Entertainment acquired the overseas distribution rights of the film.

Home media
The streaming rights were acquired by Netflix.

Controversy
Members of the Tamilaga Makkal Jananayaga Katchi (TMJK) protested in Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Vellore and Cuddalore on 21 February 2024, alleging that the promotional teaser, released on Sivakarthikeyan's birthday, portrayed Muslims in a "bad light", and also demanded a stall on the film's release.