Gautham Vasudev Menon's unrealized projects: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:38, 27 November 2023

Revision as of 09:53, 27 November 2023

Line 26:

===''Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam'' with Trisha===

In July 2007, Menon began work on a youth-centric film titled ''Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam'' featuring [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] in the lead role. He retained the title of his previous shelved film starring [[Suriya]], as producer [[Aascar Ravichandran]], who planned to revive the other project, was not keen on keeping the old title.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080606222409/http://www.desipundit.com/baradwajrangan/2008/06/05/interview-gautam-vasudev-menon/</ref> For the first time in his career, Menon opted to collaborate with [[A. R. Rahman]], rather than [[Harris Jayaraj]], as the film's music composer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/july-07-03/16-07-07-gautham-menon.html|title=TRISHA GAUTHAM MENON vaaranam aayiram a r rahman surya vel hari harris jayaraj kollywood tamil movie news hot stills picture image gallery|website=www.behindwoods.com}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2008/nov/15/harris-and-gautham-part-ways-6900.html|title=Harris and Gautham part ways|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> A photoshoot for the film was completed by the end of July 2007, with four rookie male actors joining Trisha in the film. Menon signed on actress [[Sridevi]]'s nephew [[Avishek Karthik|Karthik]], his assistant director [[Veera Bahu|Veera]], dancer [[Sathish Krishnan|Sathish]] and video jockey Shaam, for acting roles in the film. Actresses [[Nikita Thukral]] and Nethra, previously seen in ''[[Thoovanam]]'' (2007), also joined the film in lead roles, while [[Daniel Balaji]] was cast as the antagonist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nowrunning.com/news/tamil/nethra-in-gauthams-chennaiyil-oru-mazhai-kaalam/11980/story.htm|title=Nethra in Gautham's 'Chennaiyil Oru Mazhai Kaalam'|date=September 14, 2007|website=NOWRUNNING}}</ref>

Set in the backdrop of Chennai's IT industry, the team began its shoot in [[Hyderabad]] during September 2007, with the intention of completing the process in three months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/chennai-set-for-the-rains/article2292725.ece|title=Chennai set for the rains!|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=4 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204005332/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/chennai-set-for-the-rains/article2292725.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The date was not met and Menon alternated on schedules for the film with his commitments on ''[[Vaaranam Aayiram]]'' (2008). A second schedule for the film in Chennai began during May 2008, after which fifty percent of the film was complete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/gautham-denies-rift-with-harris-kannada-news-38851|title=Gautham denies rift with Harris - Kannada News|date=May 28, 2008|website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> As Menon was working with Trisha on ''Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam'', he chose to use her dates for ''[[Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa]]'' (2010), when the film was put on hold.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Gautham to start a quickie with Simbu! |website=[[Sify]] |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/exclusive-gautham-to-start-a-quickie-with-simbu-news-tamil-kkfsxQebaiesi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221222444/http://www.sify.com/movies/exclusive-gautham-to-start-a-quickie-with-simbu-news-tamil-kkfsxQebaiesi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018}}</ref>

Line 58:

In October 2015, Menon began planning a multilingual production to be shot in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, which would feature four actors in leading roles. The film was reported to revolve around the lives of four friends from the four [[South India|Southern Indian states]], who meet at a wedding after many years, and then decide to take a roadtrip in the United States. Menon initially discussed making the project with [[Silambarasan]], [[Allu Arjun]], [[Fahadh Faasil]] and [[Puneeth Rajkumar]], with the latter also keen to produce the Kannada version of the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/gautham-vasudev-menon-plans-multilingual/article7757890.ece|title=Gautham Vasudev Menon plans multilingual|date=October 13, 2015|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/gautham-menon-plans-multilingual-film-with-four-stars/|title=Gautham Menon plans multilingual film with four stars|date=October 13, 2015}}</ref> Over the following months, [[Prithviraj Sukumaran|Prithviraj]] agreed to portray the Malayali character in the film ahead of Fahadh Faasil, and accepted the offer despite Menon's initial doubts about whether the actor would feature in a multi-starrer project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/I-can-only-ensure-the-quality-of-my-films-Prithviraj/articleshow/55292069.cms|title=I can only ensure the quality of my films: Prithviraj|date=November 8, 2016|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref> Likewise, [[Naga Chaitanya]] also was reported to have replaced Allu Arjun as the Telugu character in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chitramala.in/naga-chaitanya-replaces-allu-arjun-for-gautham-menon-film-207430.html|title=Naga Chaitanya replaces Allu Arjun for Gautham Menon Film|date=November 7, 2015|website=Chitramala}}</ref>

Menon continued to develop the script wile finishing the productions of ''[[Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada]]'' (2016) and ''[[Enai Noki Paayum Thota]]'' (2019). By June 2016, Menon revealed that the film would be titled ''Ondraaga'' and that it would shot in the United States over a seventy -day schedule. He revealed that [[Sai Dharam Tej]] had joined the cast replacing Naga Chaitanya, while the Tamil character was yet to be finalised. He also suggested that actresses [[Anushka Shetty]] and [[Tamannaah]] would form a part of the cast, and that an advance payment was made to them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/090716/things-will-be-sorted-out-with-simbu-gautham-menon.html|title=Things will be sorted out with Simbu: Gautham Menon}}</ref><ref>http://www.sify.com/movies/gautham-confirms-doing-a-multilingual-film-news-tamil-qhcneCbdgccee.html</ref> Soon after, [[Jayam Ravi]] held discussions about playing the Tamil character, while actress [[Manjima Mohan]] was also considered for a role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/gautham-vasudev-menons-next-a-multistarrer-with-jayam-ravi-prithviraj-puneeth-rajkumar-and-sai-dharam-teja.html|title=Gautham Vasudev Menon’s next, a multistarrer with Jayam Ravi, Prithviraj, Puneeth Rajkumar and Sai Dharam Teja|date=June 30, 2016|website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/220916/two-time-lucky-manjima.html|title=Two-time lucky Manjima!}}</ref> In an interview in November 2016, Menon stated that the character of Karthik from ''[[Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa]]'' would be retained in ''Ondraaga'', with the plot taking off eight years after the release of the previous film. He stated Karthik's character had changed his concept of women and would appear as a [[playboy]] in the new project, while the character of Jessie Thekekuttu would also feature in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/I-don%E2%80%99t-mind-being-called-elitist-Gautham-Menon/article16445251.ece|title=I don’t mind being called elitist: Gautham Menon|date=November 13, 2016|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Menon revealed that [[A. R. Rahman]] would compose music for the project, and likened the mood of the film to the Hindi films, ''[[Dil Chahta Hai]]'' (2001) and ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'' (2011). He also added that he was hopeful that Silambarasan would agree to work in the film and reprise the role of Karthik.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/821488/gautham-menon-made-achcham-yenbadhu-madamaiyada-for-audiences-that-whistle-and-clap|title=Gautham Menon made ‘Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada’ for ‘audiences that whistle and clap’|first=Prathibha|last=Parameswaran|date=November 14, 2016|website=Scroll.in}}</ref>

Production on the film was postponed as the makers were unable to finalise the actors to play the Tamil and Telugu characters, while Menon also began work on ''[[Dhruva Natchathiram]]'' (2023) with [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]]. In March 2017, Prithviraj called the film a "very modern take on friendship and self-discovery", while revealing that the script was complete and production would possibly begin by the end of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/prithviraj-reveals-exclusive-details-about-heroes-heroines-music-director-and-plot-of-gautham-menon-multi-starrer-tamil-news-180407|title=Leading hero reveals exclusive details about Gautham Menon's multi-starrer - Tamil News|date=March 2, 2017|website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> In early 2018, following a brief period where Menon prioritised his other productions, he signed on [[R. Madhavan|Madhavan]] to portray the Tamil character of Karthik after Silambarasan had turned down the offer citing his reluctance to work with other lead actors. [[Tovino Thomas]] was also signed to replace Prithviraj as the Malayalam character.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/madhavan-gautham-menon-trilingual-1147518-2018-01-17|title=Madhavan in talks with Gautham Menon for a trilingual|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/feb/21/gautham-vasudev-menon-madhavan-to-collaborate-on-vinnaithaandi-varuvaayaa-sequel-1776382.html|title=Gautham Vasudev Menon, Madhavan to collaborate on Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa sequel|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm8100Ii8Q4|title="Those who know me refer to me as Jessie." &#124; Deep Focus &#124; Gautham Menon &#124; Simbu &#124; Trisha|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The film failed to develop, with Menon later stating that the film would not proceed without Silambarasan.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/gautham-menon-reveals-he-s-ready-to-make-vinnaithaandi-varuvaaya-2-if-simbu-is-ready/story-FSo6lJBLIwvUS8X0fSd1WM.html|title=Gautham Menon reveals he’s ready to make VTV 2 if Simbu is ready|date=February 27, 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

===''Kaakha Kaakha 2''===

In February 2018, Menon revealed that he had plans of making a sequel to ''Kaakha Kaakha'' with [[Suriya]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-my-next-film-title-is-ondraga-news-tamil-scikhSgeagahb.html|title=Gautham Menon: My next film title is 'Ondraga'!|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212070500/http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-my-next-film-title-is-ondraga-news-tamil-scikhSgeagahb.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By August 2020, Menon revealed that he had written most of the script but that Suriya wanted a gap between his cop films after the ''[[Singam (film series)|Singam]]'' series, and that the project was on hold.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/aug/07/kaakha-kaakha-to-get-a-sequel-19688.html|title=Kaakha Kaakha to get a sequel?|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

In September 2022, the original film's producer [[Kalaipuli S. Thanu]] revealed that plans for the film were in place and that he had already paid an advance to Menon for the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/are-plans-for-kaakha-kaakha-2-already-in-place/articleshow/94551740.cms|title=Are plans for 'Kaakha Kaakha 2' already in place?|date=September 30, 2022|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref>

Line 112:

{{Gautham Vasudev Menon}}

[[Category:Lists of unrealized projects by artist|Menon, Gautham Vasudev]]

{{improve categories|date=November 2023}}

[[Category:Lists of unrealized projects by artist|Menon, Gautham Vasudev]]