Good Bad Ugly

Good Bad Ugly is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. The film stars Ajith Kumar in the lead role, alongside Sunil.

Before the announcement, the project was referred to as AK63, as it is Ajith's 63rd film as the lead actor. The film was officially announced in March 2024, in addition to the official title. Principal photography commenced in May 2024 in Hyderabad. The film has music composed by Devi Sri Prasad, cinematography handled by Abinadhan Ramanujam and editing by Vijay Velukutty.

Good Bad Ugly is scheduled to release in January 2025, coinciding with the occasion of Pongal, in theatres.

Cast

 * Ajith Kumar
 * Sunil

Development
While filming for Nerkonda Paarvai in early 2019, Adhik Ravichandran had met and narrated a script to Ajith Kumar, who agreed to act in the film but wanted to wait until the producers were finalised before making an announcement. In the meantime, Ajith worked on Valimai (2021) and Thunivu (2023), while Adhik finished Bagheera and Mark Antony (both 2023). Following two years, Suresh Chandra, the actor's manager, confirmed that discussions were going on for Adhik to direct Ajith's 63rd film. That November, he confirmed the project, tentatively titled AK63. The project was funded by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar's Mythri Movie Makers, marking their first Tamil venture. Chandra served as the co-producer. The company made a public announcement on 14 March 2024, confirming the project. The film's official title, Good Bad Ugly, was revealed the same day.

The film was made on a production budget of inr 2700000000, and Ajith was reported to receive inr 1650000000 as his remuneration. The official title is a reference to the Clint Eastwood-starrer The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), marking Ajith's second film with a reference to the actor after his character in Thunivu was inspired by Eastwood's High Plains Drifter (1973). Originally planned to be shot in the Tamil-language, Adhik stated that they are considering to also shoot significant portions of the film directly in Telugu as well. The second promotional poster, which released on 28 June, hinted at the film being a crime drama film.

Pre-production
On 14 March 2024, Adhik was announced to have retained cinematographer Abinandhan Ramanujam, editor Vijay Velukutty, and costume designer Anu Vardhan. Devi Sri Prasad was signed on to compose the music, marking his second film with Ajith after Veeram (2014). The stunt choreography would be handled by Supreme Sundar and Kaldian Vodenchardy.

Casting
Ajith would reportedly play in a triple role; hence the title. Sreeleela was reported to have liked the film's script and signed it, in her Tamil film debut. Tabu was reportedly cast as the female lead, pairing opposite Ajith, reuniting with the latter after Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000). S. J. Suryah was reported to play a prominent role, while Arvind Swamy will play the main antagonist. In May 2024, Malayalam actor Naslen K. Gafoor was reportedly approached for a role, making his Tamil debut. On 28 June, Sunil announced his inclusion in the film; collaborating with Adhik for the second time after Mark Antony.

Filming
Principal photography was initially scheduled to begin in June 2024. However, as the makers of Vidaamuyarchi, including Ajith, were scheduled to leave to United Arab Emirates to shoot there in late May, the first schedule instead began on 9 May at Sarathi Studios in Hyderabad. A fight sequence, choreographed by Supreme Sundar, was reportedly firstly filmed. The first schedule ended by 9 June. According to co-producer Suresh Chandra, the makers are planning to go to South America for the second schedule.

Music
The music and background score is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, in his maiden collaboration with Adhik; second with Ajith after Veeram. The audio rights were acquired by T-Series.

Marketing
The first look poster was released on 19 May 2024, without any prior announcement from the production house.

Theatrical
Good Bad Ugly is scheduled to release in January 2025, coinciding with the occasion of Pongal, in theatres. Apart from the original Tamil language, it is also scheduled to release in the Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam languages.

Home media
The digital streaming rights for the film were reportedly purchased by Netflix for ₹95 crore.