Karthick Naren to start work on Mafia 2? Here's everything we thought you should know

Karthick Naren, whose latest release was Dhanush-starrer Maaran, (streaming on Disney+Hotstar) has an update on his action-thriller, Mafia (2020). The sequel of Arun Vijay-Prasanna starrer will start rolling soon. Recently, Arun Vijay, of Oh My Dog-fame, shared a picture from the photoshoot of Mafia, on his Instagram, referring it to as one of his favourite ones thus far. Also, he tagged Karthick Naren on the post, hinting at a sequel. Responding to it, the filmmaker replied, "it will begin soon!"

Earlier, Arun Vijay on his Twitter handle, stated that the second part of Mafia was in the discussion stages. Let's wait and watch if Karthick Naren retains the star cast, who was seen in part one, for the sequel.

Having made his debut in 2016 with Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru, Karthick Naren started work on two ambitious projects — Naragasooran and Naadaga Medai. One is completed and the other is halfway through, but neither film’s prospects of release look bright. Karthick Naren's Twitter outburst with director Gautham Menon, a couple of years ago was what brought out the issue behind Naragasooran to the fore. In an interview with the Hindu, Karthick admitted that the ordeal was “an experience” and added that he bears no ill will or anger towards Gautham.

Speaking about Mafia, Karthick told the Hindu, that the film was a Westernised take on the gangster-drama genre. "But the story unfolds in Chennai. The protagonist, Aryan, a narcotics officer, is played by Arun Vijay and the primary antagonist, whose name is touted as The Beast, is essayed by actor Prasanna. It will unfold like a cat-and-mouse game. It is a story of two people who are both moral and ideological opposites. It is a battle between the minds of these two characters. Mafia has more brains than brawns."

The director has never shied away from admitting to being influenced by the filmmaking styles of Christopher Nolan and Mani Ratnam. Mafia also bore their influences in its narrative pattern. However, the script itself was an inspired take on something Karthick calls his “favourite series on Netflix”. “Mafia is kind of inspired from Narcos . The common thread of the story is what is similar between them, nothing more. The film will follow a non-linear screenplay," Karthick Naren told the Hindu.

Further, Karthick Naren has Nirangal Moondru in the pipeline. The film has Atharvaa, Sarathkumar and Rahman, in pivotal roles.