Director TJ Gnanavel is riding high on the success of his latest film Vettaiyan, which has grossed over ₹250 crore at the box office. In a recent media interaction, Gnanavel expressed his excitement about the overwhelming response to the film and revealed his aspirations to explore more of the story—this time through a prequel.
Exploring the Origins: ‘Vettaiyan: The Hunter’
When asked about his future projects, Gnanavel shared his vision for a prequel to Vettaiyan, tentatively titled Vettaiyan: The Hunter. The director explained, “I'm more interested in exploring a prequel. Vettaiyan: The Hunter could delve into Athiyan's journey, revealing how he became an encounter specialist, Fahadh Faasil's transformation into a thief and police informant, and other aspects of the story's backstory.”
In Vettaiyan, Rajinikanth's character Athiyan plays a formidable police officer known for his fearless approach in tackling crime. Gnanavel believes that a prequel would allow audiences to understand the emotional and psychological journey that led Athiyan to become the hard-nosed encounter specialist they saw in the original film.
Rajinikanth's Return?
One of the major talking points surrounding this potential prequel is whether Rajinikanth would return to reprise his role. While Gnanavel did not confirm this, he has made it clear that he hopes to work with the superstar again. Rajinikanth’s performance in Vettaiyan has been widely appreciated, and his return to the franchise would undoubtedly generate significant buzz among fans.
Fahadh Faasil's Character Evolution
In addition to Rajinikanth’s character, Gnanavel is also keen on exploring the origins of Fahadh Faasil’s character, a thief who becomes a police informant in Vettaiyan. According to the director, the prequel would shed light on Faasil’s transformation from a criminal to a reluctant ally of law enforcement, giving viewers a deeper understanding of his complex motivations.
A Successful Collaboration
Vettaiyan has proven to be a commercial hit, and the creative partnership between TJ Gnanavel and Rajinikanth has been one of the key factors behind its success. Gnanavel’s nuanced storytelling, combined with Rajinikanth’s magnetic screen presence, has struck a chord with audiences, and many are excited about the possibility of further exploring the Vettaiyan universe.
What’s Next for TJ Gnanavel?
While a prequel remains in the conceptual phase, TJ Gnanavel's comments have sparked anticipation among fans and industry insiders alike. Given the massive success of Vettaiyan, there’s no doubt that any follow-up project involving Rajinikanth would be eagerly awaited.
With Vettaiyan continuing its box-office dominance, it seems like Gnanavel’s creative journey with Rajinikanth may be far from over. Fans will be waiting with bated breath to see if the director’s dream of a prequel becomes a reality.