Just like Ponniyin Selvan, Veera Yuga Nayagan Velpari penned by Lok Sabha MP S. Venkatesan is a literary novel about a real life Tamil King and has previously been serialized in a popular Tamil magazine. The book mononymously known as Velpari is currently being adapted to made into a movie, but there seems to be confusion over who exactly is involved in the film adaption.  

As reported by us recently, back in August actor Suriya during the audio launch of Viruman had explicitly stated that he has begun an 'interesting new journey' with Velpari writer Su. Venkatesan. While Suriya refrained from giving out exact details of the project, he did say that a new announcement will be made soon on a different stage. Venkatesan who was among the guests at this 2D Entertainment event, went on to tweet this part of Suriya's speech.

உறவும் நட்பும் உள்ளடக்கிய தோழமை ❤️ @Suriya_offl @Karthi_Offl @2D_ENTPVTLTD @AditiShankarofl @shankarshanmugh pic.twitter.com/o2dzz6s6xd

— Su Venkatesan MP (@SuVe4Madurai) August 4, 2022

Since Venkatesan's first novel Kaval Kottam was adapted into a 2012 movie titled Aravaan, it was presumed that his second book Velpari is being made into a movie with Suriya or atleast his production house 2D Entertainment. 

Interestingly director Shankar was also a front-row guest at this Viruman audio launch, and recently there was a buzz that he will be helming the Velpari movie with Suriya. Shankar's first known public connection to King Velpari dates back to his 2007 movie Sivaji: The Boss, where he named two of his characters after the King's daughters - Angavai and Sangavai [The way these characters were depicted i.e. using blackface has since faced backlash and deemed problematic].  

However reports are rife that the director is adapting Velpari with a whole different team. Word has it that the Shankar met KGF actor Yash on multiple occasions to rope him for the titular role and that he is interested between Yash and Ranveer Singh to play the tribal royalty. It is also being said that Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, and Pen Studios will be backing the project with Netflix; The historical drama is said to be planned on a massive budget of Rs. 1000 Cr.

BHAI @TheNameIsYash pic.twitter.com/53EiaPb55K

— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) September 11, 2022

Meanwhile, the recently released Suriya 42 motion poster hints that Suriya plays a Velpari-inspired character in the 3D period drama which is set to be released in 10 languages.  It remains to be seen however if the Siva directorial is indeed inspired from Su Venkatesan's novel or his protagonist based on the real life Tamil king.