SKxARM

SKxARM and SK23 are the tentative working titles of an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by AR Murugadoss. It is produced by N. V. Prasad under Sri Lakshmi Movies. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan and Rukmini Vasanth in the lead roles, alongside Vidyut Jammwal, Biju Menon, Vikranth, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Sanjay and Sachana Namidass.

The film was officially announced in September 2023 under its working titles, as it is Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's first collaboration and the former's 23rd film as a lead actor. Principal photography commenced in February 2024. It is currently being shot sporadically in several legs, with filming locations including Chennai and Pondicherry. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Sudeep Elamon and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.

Cast

 * Sivakarthikeyan
 * Rukmini Vasanth
 * Vidyut Jammwal
 * Biju Menon
 * Vikranth
 * Shabeer Kallarakkal
 * Sanjay
 * Sachana Namidass

Development
In March 2020, director AR Murugadoss, who had previously collaborated with Vijay for three films, was reported to join hands with the latter for the fourth time. Sun Pictures, headed by Kalanithi Maran, would reportedly fund the venture, while it marks as the reunion of Murugadoss and Vijay after Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014) and Sarkar (2018). Tentatively titled Thalapathy 65, Thaman S was reportedly approached to score the music, in his first collaboration with Vijay and Murugadoss. On 24 August, Murugadoss confirmed the reunion with the actor, and dismissed the rumours of the film being a sequel to one of their previous projects. In October, however, it was reported that the actor had opted out from the venture, due to a conflict between the director and the production house, about cutting Murugadoss' salary due to the failure of his previous film, Darbar (2020).

On 10 December, the production house announced that director Nelson Dilipkumar had replaced Murugadoss. The film became Beast (2022). The same month, Murugadoss reportedly met Sivakarthikeyan and discussed a story. The story was speculated to be the same as the director narrated to Vijay. Production was reported to begin in 2023 as Sivakarthikeyan had completed most of his prior commitments. During Murugadoss' production venture August 16 1947's audio launch in 2023, Sivakarthikeyan hinted about his collaboration with the director. That March, Murugadoss confirmed the project. The project is funded by N. V. Prasad under Sri Lakshmi Movies. Known for mainly producing films in Telugu cinema, it marks their Tamil debut. The company made a public announcement on 25 September, coinciding with the occasion of Murugadoss' birthday, confirming the project, known by the working titles SKxARM and SK23.

Pre-production
The project marks Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's second collaboration, after Sivakarthikeyan entered Tamil cinema in 2012 with Marina, as Murugadoss previously worked as producer and co-writer in the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Maan Karate (2014). But before the actor entered the industry, he worked as a host for Murugadoss' directorial film 7 Aum Arivu at its audio launch event in 2011 and the director's production venture Engaeyum Eppothum at a same type event in the same year. A muhurat puja was held at a studio in Chennai on 6 February 2024 with the presence of the film's cast and crew.

In early-February 2023, Sudeep Elamon was announced as the cinematographer. As he predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema, it marks his first film in Tamil cinema. Anirudh Ravichander would score the music, in his third consecutive film with Murugadoss after Kaththi (2014) and Darbar. Murugadoss further retained editor A. Sreekar Prasad, stunt choreographer Dhilip Subbarayan and art director Arun Venjaramoodu. Sivakarthikeyan went through a workshop with acting coach Rajesh Balachandiran to change his body-language. Reportedly made with a budget of ₹150–200 crore, Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's remuneration are reported to be ₹40 crore respectively.

Casting
Sivakarthikeyan would sport a suave and thick beard, unlike any of the characters he had previously done before. Rukmini Vasanth was cast as the lead actress, in her first pairing with Sivakarthikeyan as well as in her second Tamil film after the yet-to-release Ace. She said Murugadoss cast her after seeing some clips of Ace and being impressed with her performance. In November 2023, Vidyut Jammwal was reported to play an important role in the film. In late April 2024, Malayalam actor Biju Menon revealed he would play an important role, marking his return to Tamil cinema after Porkkalam (2010). On 9 June, Jammwal was confirmed as the film's main antagonist by the production house; reuniting with Murugadoss after playing the antagonist in Thuppakki. Vikranth was announced on 15 June being part of the cast, while Shabeer Kallarakkal was announced the following day.

Filming
Principal photography began with the first schedule on 14 February 2024 at the Vellore Institute of Technology College. The second schedule commenced on 13 March in Pondicherry. On 24 March, Murugadoss posted on Instagram that a sequence was filmed at the Thirumayilai railway station, also penning an emotional note as he also shot a portion for Ramanaa (2002), which starred late actor-politician Vijayakanth, there. In early April, a portion featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Jammwal was reportedly shot, with the team also shooting a song sequence at a busy place in Chennai. An action sequence was filmed on 6 June. By late June, filming was paused to allow Murugadoss' commitments to Sikandar.

Music
The music and background score is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his third collaboration with Murugadoss after Kaththi (2014) and Darbar (2020); eighth with Sivakarthikeyan.