Latest news with #Vetri
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Vetri Maaran confirms film with Silambarasan TR is set in ‘Vada Chennai' world; brushes off rumours of tiff with Dhanush
We had earlier reported that ace director Vetri Maaran has teamed up with actor Silambarasan TR for an upcoming project, which was widely speculated to be set in the world of Vetri's acclaimed 2018 film Vada Chennai. Now, on Monday (June 30), Vetri confirmed the project, stating that it is set within the world of Vada Chennai and that it isn't the long-awaited Vada Chennai 2. 'My next film, produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu, is with Simbu. This is not Vada Chennai 2 — that film will be about the rise of Anbu, and Dhanush will be the lead star of that film. However, this is also set in the world of Vada Chennai, which means characters and aspects from Vada Chennai will find their way into this story. This will also happen in a similar timeline,' said Vetri in a video posted on the YouTube channel of his production banner Grass Root Film Company. As expected, Vetri also confirmed that Vaadivaasal, his long-awaited film starring Suriya, has been tentatively put on hold. 'There are delays in penning the script. We also need to figure out some technical aspects, like ensuring the safety of the artists and animals. So, since we can't wait for long for all that to happen, we thought we could make a film in the meantime,' said Vetri. The director further put an end to speculations of a tiff between him and Dhanush regarding the copyrights of Vada Chennai. 'Dhanush is the producer of Vada Chennai, which means he is the IP owner of the film, its plot, characters, prequels, spin-offs, etc. Even if you do a comic book, he will be the IP holder of that. So, as a copyright owner, he has the moral and legal rights to ask for remuneration from those who wish to use his IP. So we shouldn't vilify that. At the same time, the truth is that the morning after Thanu sir, Simbu sir and I met, I spoke to Dhanush and I told him that we're planning on making this project and that we can choose to either make it as a film set in the world of Vada Chennai or as a standalone film. I told him that it depended upon him since he is the copyright owner of the world of Vada Chennai.' Vetri revealed that Dhanush gave him the liberty to do as he wishes. 'What he said was, 'Sir, don't think in those terms. Do what you feel is right creatively. I will talk to my team here; if you think setting the film in the world of Vada Chennai is right, please go ahead. We will give you the NOC, and we don't need any money for it.'' The director further stated firmly that his relationship with Dhanush isn't something that could be affected due to one film or one incident. 'He will never disrupt the creative flow that I have. He always says, 'Sir, you make sure you are in the right headspace.' Even recently, when I faced a financial issue, he made sure I got some financial support from a producer as an advance. This is to say that Dhanush is not someone who will disturb me.' Vetri further revealed that Dhanush was quite excited about the project that is shaping up with Simbu, an actor who is widely considered to be Dhanush's rival. 'When I informed him about this collaboration, he said, 'Sir, this will be a different experience for you and him.' Moreover, a few days ago, Simbu met me and said, 'Sir, I am seeing some news regarding Dhanush sir and you. You do what you are most comfortable with. I am okay with whatever you decide, unless it disrupts your agreement and arrangement with Dhanush sir.' So, both of them respect each other and they are ready to give the space to be myself and express myself.' Vetri also ended rumours that he is being coerced into taking up projects. 'People close to me know that nobody can force me into doing something. So nobody tries to do that; they all know that a project is set to take over our lives and our creative energies for the next 10-12 months and so the people around us will faciliate in that project, said Vetri, adding that Dhanush is once such person who has played a key role in how his films have shaped up. 'And this has been the case from even before Polladhavan, and since the time I was working as an assistant in Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam. Dhanush has been very supportive in all the films that I have made. He has always had something or the other to do with the films that I have made; he would either act, or produce, or, if neither, he would sing for me. He does so because everybody around me believes that what I am trying to do is the best thing for me. So Dhanush's stand for this film too remains the same, and all those speculations are baseless,' said Vetri. Notably, the news about Vetri's project with Simbu broke out after a picture from the sets was leaked online. Interestingly, the still also features director Nelson, best known for making films like Doctor, Beast and Jailer. According to a report by India Today, Nelson is set to play a cameo role in the project. The report further added that the still is from a promo shoot and that the principal photography will begin in the next few weeks. Speculations are also rife that actors Kavin and Manikandan are set to appear in the upcoming film, with actors Andrea Jeremiah, Samuthirakani and Kishore reprising their roles from Vada Chennai. Vada Chennai, widely considered as one of the best gangster dramas in Tamil, featured Dhanush as a young man who is pulled into a world of crime, one where you either do or die. Over the years, the film has attained cult status among audiences. Interestingly, Vetri had also announced a spin-off series centred around Ameer Sultan's character Rajan, titled Rajan Vagaiyara; however, there haven't been any updates on the same.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
A ‘place' under the sun for folk arts
When you step inside IDAM, an art and cultural space in the middle of busy Kodambakkam, you will find out it is more than just a place, even though 'Idam' literally means place when translated. Inside, rural Tamil Nadu comes alive with folk art forms from Thappattam, Devarattam, Oyilattam, Bomallattam to Tholpavakoothu, apart from general open mics and theatre workshops. But what makes the space stand out is that it does not stop at showcasing these performances but invites Chennaiites to step into the venue as students of the traditional arts. Founded by actor Vetri MV, IDAM is the result of years of groundwork. Since 2017, Vetri has been conducting acting, theatre and art workshops across colleges. But a couple of years ago, he felt the need for a dedicated space for the urban crowd to get in touch with folk heritage. It is not necessarily folk instrument classes, children who attend events here often leave with folk tales and stories from traditional storytellers. 'The main purpose of starting our art and cultural space was simple. It is to connect the folk artists and general public,' says Vetri. 'Most people who live in the city are not always aware of the folk art instruments or dances. So, IDAM became a space for education as much as celebration.' Interestingly, it was not cinema that introduced the actor to folk art, it was theatre. His journey as a theatre artist performing and directing across Tamil Nadu made him give importance to folk forms and their unsung masters, many of whom now take the stage at IDAM. One such artist is Gramiya Kalaimani Nellai Manikandan, a recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. A passionate teacher, he lights up as he talks about training young, urban audiences in forms such as Devarattam. 'When I train people living in the city in folk art forms such as Devarattam, they should first know about the art form, so that is how I start. They are really interested in knowing it, but they do not know where to learn it from,' says Nellai Manikandan, commenting on how a lot of them are glued to screens all day, phones, laptops, TV, you name it! And now, they are hungry for something rooted and old-school. 'Every time I teach a class at IDAM, it turns into a new experience for me itself. On one hand, there are students who come with no prior exposure to dance or any art form, just curiosity and eagerness to learn. On the other, in a group of 20, you might find 15 trained classical dancers looking to explore folk dance and music,' says the folk art teacher. Vetri says the undertones of inquisitiveness has been pulling urban crowds towards folk art as there is an increased turnout. He admits it would not have been the same a decade ago. 'Initially, creating the space exclusively for artforms was a challenge in the city, but we have been successfully sustaining it,' says the founder. In 2025, engineers, designers, copywriters and other professionals are travelling to cultural centres of this kind located as far away as Coimbatore to attend the three-hour or day-long workshops. The space is also gearing up for something new. 'We are starting a full-time three-month course consisting of Thappattam, Devarattam and Oyilattam taught by three different masters which is starting from July, shares Vetri. Alongside, a theatre and acting course is also in the works, which is open to anyone with curiosity!
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- The Hindu
Chennai police induct 11 puppies into Sniffer Dog Squad
The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) have inducted 11 new puppies into its Sniffer Dog Squad. This marks a significant enhancement of the existing capabilities of the dog squad. A formal ceremony was held on Monday (June 9, 2025) at Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore, to induct and officially name the 11 newly-selected puppies. Additional Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Vijayendra Bidari formally named the puppies. Aged around three months and comprising eight males and three females, the puppies belong to the breeds Labrador, Doberman, Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherd, which are known for their exceptional tracking and detection capabilities. The puppies are named: 'Vetri', 'Vikram', 'Nithra', 'Mugilan', 'Silamban', 'Kurali', 'Kaari', 'Gugan', 'Venbha', 'Dheeran', and 'Alexander'. Six of them were assigned to explosives detection, four to narcotic detection, and one to crime case detection. Mr. Bidari said: 'Sniffer dogs play a very important role for security, detection, and crime scene processing. They work efficiently in bomb detection and drug detection and helping arrest criminals. We have instructed our officials to train them well.' The Sniffer Dog Squad functions through dedicated units at Kilpauk and St. Thomas Mount. The Kilpauk unit currently comprises 16 trained dogs — 11 for explosive detection, three for crime case detection, and two for narcotics detection work. The St. Thomas Mount Unit comprises seven dogs specialised in explosives detection and three in tracking accused involved in murder and robbery cases. Since the beginning of 2024, the dog squad has actively participated in 3,855 deployments, including 3,657 anti-sabotage checks, 137 bomb threat verifications, and 61 crime scene investigations. The induction of the puppies marks a significant step forward in enhancing the operational capabilities of the GCP's dog squad, the police said.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- The Hindu
Greater Chennai Police inducts 11 puppies into Sniffer Dog Squad
The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) have inducted 11 new puppies into its Sniffer Dog Squad. This marks a significant enhancement of the existing capabilities of the dog squad. A formal ceremony was held on Monday at Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore, to induct and officially name 11 newly selected puppies. Additional Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Vijayendra Bidari formally named the puppies. Aged around three months and comprising eight males and three females, the puppies belong to the breeds Labrador, Doberman, Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherd, which are known for their exceptional tracking and detection capabilities. The puppies are named: 'Vetri', 'Vikram', 'Nithra', 'Mugilan', 'Silamban', 'Kurali', 'Kaari', 'Gugan', 'Venbha', 'Dheeran', and 'Alexander'. Six of them were assigned to explosives detection, four to narcotic detection, and one to crime case detection. Mr. Bidari said: 'Sniffer dogs play a very important role for security, detection, and crime scene processing. They work efficiently in bomb detection and drug detection and helping arrest criminals. We have instructed our officials to train them well.' The Sniffer Dog Squad functions through dedicated units at Kilpauk and St. Thomas Mount. The Kilpauk unit currently comprises 16 trained dogs — 11 for explosive detection, three for crime case detection, and two for narcotics detection work. The St. Thomas Mount Unit comprises seven dogs specialised in explosives detection and three in tracking accused involved in murder and robbery cases. Since the beginning of 2024, the dog squad has actively participated in 3,855 deployments, including 3,657 anti-sabotage checks, 137 bomb threat verifications, and 61 crime scene investigations. The induction of the puppies marks a significant step forward in enhancing the operational capabilities of the GCP's dog squad, the police said.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Rajaputhiran Movie Review: Shines in character development, stumbles in narration
In director Mahaa Kandhan's Rajaputhiran, a major plot development is given away in the very first scene, a narrative flaw that undermines the impact of the film. While this presents a challenge, the film boasts many notable positives holding it together. The chief among them is the sparkling camaraderie between Prabhu and Vetri as father and son. Prabhu's character has groomed his son as a 'prince' from a young age, pampering him and never letting him feel the absence of his mother. However, when the boy grows up, he joins a Hawala racket as a money carrier, unbeknownst to his father, a decision that gains him some allies, friends, and many foes. Rajaputhiran's beauty lies in its simplicity, which is especially evident in the interactions between Vetri's and Prabhu's characters and the former and his love interest (Krishnapriya). What drives the love story at the centre of the film is not grand romantic gestures, sweeping promises or dramatic conflicts but rather the pleasantries between the two leads that radiate charm. The allure that emanates from these simple exchanges carries the film's romantic thread gracefully through its runtime. Director: Mahaa Kandhan Cast: Prabhu, Vetri, Krishnapriya, Komal Kumar
