Vikram-Pa Ranjith film, set against the backdrop of the Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka, to go on floors on July 15 in Chennai?

We had told you Vikram, who is awaiting the release of Ajay Gnanamuthu's long-pending Cobra and Mani Ratnam's adaptation, Ponniyin Selvan, would team up with director Pa Ranjith on a film. The latest we hear is that this untitled film (tentatively titled Chiyaan 61) will go on floors on July 15, in Chennai. 

According to unconfirmed sources, Chiyaan 61, will be set against the backdrop of Karnataka's Kolar Gold Fields. Multiple reports suggest that Ranjith was to begin shooting for this one, after Kabali. Instead, the filmmaker chose to wait, as the KGF franchise, which has a similar backdrop, was released in 2018 and 2022. Now, after watching both, Ranjith realised that his story is completely different. 

Anirudh is likely to compose the music for Chiyaan 61, although, an official confirmation is awaited. (Pa Ranjith, usually teams up with music director Santhosh Narayanan in all his films.) Chiyaan 61 is likely to be a period piece about working-class miners, who discovered gold in the 19th century. However, we await an official confirmation.

Chiyaan 61 is produced by KE Gnanavelraja's home banner, Studio Green, and this marks the first collaboration between Ranjith and Vikram. 

As a producer, Pa Ranjith is backing a couple of interesting films in Tamil, including Dandakaranyam, directed by Athiyan Athirai of Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu fame. 

The Kabali director is also bankrolling Kizhakinthiya Company, directed by Lenin Bharathi, who made his filmmaking debut with the critically-acclaimed Merku Thodarchi Malai. Apart from these, Ranjith, as a director, has Natchathiram Nagargirathu, Vettuvam, and his Hindu debut based on the life of Birsa Munda in the pipeline.

Natchathiram Nagargirathu is set against the backdrop of the Tamil-language theatre scene and explores different facets of love that go beyond gender. 

Ranjith will begin a film with Kamal Haasan. Details are under wraps and Ranjith describes it as an “important” film that will “tackle a major issue” and will be based in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district. The film is for Haasan’s Raajkamal Films International.

Ranjith made his debut with Attakaththi and followed up with Madras, Kabali, Kaala and Sarpatta Parambarai. 

When the filmmaker began his career he was advised that telling Dalit stories wouldn’t work at the box office. “At that point, I decided, I will make only stories about Dalits. This is going to be my life and style of work. And unlike what people feared, the films worked. And because of that, I got films, including two with Rajinikanth," he told Variety.