Asal (Tamil: ) is a Tamil language film set to be released in 2009. It stars Ajith Kumar and Sameera Reddy in the lead roles. The film is currently in its production stage. The film will be produced by Prabhu and Ramkumar Ganesan. The film was briefly postponed after Gautham Menon walked out of the problem citing differences with the producers.
Development
Following the commence of production for Ajith Kumar’s Aegan in late December 2007, reports indicated that Ajith Kumar will act in a film produced by Sivaji Productions directed by Gautham Menon. Three months later, it was confirmed that the project would go ahead as planned as soon as both, the director and the actor finished their respective projects.
The film, which is due to start its first schedule during June 2008, has been built up as the final instalment in Gautham Menon’s police trilogy, following his two earlier ventures, Kaaka Kaaka; which Ajith Kumar was originally meant to be a part of and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu. However other indications suggest that the film is the remake of the classic, Pudhiya Paravai starring Sivaji Ganesan, which Ganesan’s son, Prabhu, who is the producer for the project denied. The film earlier rumoured to be titled, Kanavugal Karpanaigal or Vaanam Kadandha Siragugal, was finalized with the title of Surangani, which was later abbreviated to Sura.[2]
The story was subsequently changed and Saran was signed up to the film.
CastingFollowing the announcement that Sivaji Productions, Ajith Kumar and Gautham Menon would come together, other technicians were added to the film. Menon’s usual apprentices, Harris Jayaraj was signed on as the music composer for the film, while lyricist Thamarai, was selected to write the songs. Later, Dharani reportedly replaced Gautham as director due to disagreements between him and Ajith over the script.[4] After Sivaji Productions considered directors including A. R. Murugadoss, Vishnuvardhan and A. L. Vijay for the film, they turned to Saran.
Prabhu Ganesan, also co-producer for the film under Sivaji Productions, cast himself to play an important role in the film. Whilst, Gautham Menon selected Sameera Reddy, who had portrayed the lead female role in his previous film, Vaaranam Aayiram to star opposite Ajith Kumar in the film. Sameera appears along Ajith Kumar for the first time, despite previously being entitled to appear opposite him in Citizen, which eventually went ahead without her. The other members of the cast and technical crew are being finalized.
