Chennai: Rumours from the industry suggest that veteran director Shankar has approached actor Dhanush for one of the pivotal roles in his dream project, Velpari. The film is planned as a dual-hero subject, and sources claim Shankar has enquired about Dhanush’s date availability.

Interestingly, Shankar had also attended the pooja ceremony of Dhanush’s upcoming film, tentatively titled D55. R Take Studios, one of the producers of D55, is reportedly in talks with Shankar to co-produce Velpari.

Historical Epic Based on Legendary King

Velpari is based on the historical novel Veera Yuga Nayagan Vel Pari by acclaimed Tamil writer Su Venkatesan. Velpari, a legendary Tamil king, is celebrated for courage, administrative skills, generosity, and kindness. The popular phrase “Mullaikku Theru Koduthaan Pari” is derived from poetry praising Pari, who is remembered for offering his own chariot to save a jasmine shrub.

Pari is also considered one of the seven last philanthropists of Tamil history, with extensive literature documenting his deeds. Shankar had revealed that he first encountered the book during the COVID-19 lockdown and was so impressed by its depth that he called writer Su Venkatesan to secure a personal copy via director Vasanthabalan.

Casting Speculations

Earlier, Shankar had contemplated casting Tamil star Vikram and Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh for the lead roles. While discussions with Dhanush are ongoing, the director and producers have not yet officially confirmed any casting decisions.

The project is being closely watched by fans of Tamil cinema, as Shankar has long maintained Velpari as his dream film, combining historical grandeur with cinematic spectacle.