Vada Chennai (2018) is a Tamil language crime drama written and directed by Vetrimaaran, and headlined, co-produced by actor Dhanush. The movie's anticipated sequel never got made, and recently Vetrimaaran has declared that Vada Chennai 2 will only be made with Dhanush as his famous North Chennai character 'Anbu'.  

Vetrimaaran's clarification comes at a time, when the filmmaker has begun a new movie with actor Silambarasan TR who is considered Dhanush's arch rival in Tamil Cinema. The Vetrimaaran - Silambarasan TR film is set in the same universe as Vada Chennai, with some characters from the Vada Chennai world expected to make a return in the STR-Vetrimaaran movie. 

So the Silambarasan TR film is a Vada Chennai spin-off rather than a sequel. Vetrimaaran confirmed the same stating, "The STR film is not 'Vada Chennai 2'. 'Vada Chennai 2' would be with Dhanush acting as Anbu. But the STR movie is also set in the world of 'Vada Chennai', which means that world, those characters, and some aspects of that universe will be in this story too. The STR-Vetrimaaran film is set in the same timeline as 'Vada Chennai'." 

The Vada Chennai spin-off with Silambarasan TR is a production venture of Thanu's V Creations. Recently there were murmurs that producer Dhanush was willing to issue the no-objection certificate for a price of Rs. 20 Cr, and that this condition upset Vetrimaaran. However the director cleared the air on copyright and Intellectual Property (IP) stating, 

"Dhanush is the producer of the movie 'Vada Chennai' which means he is the IP owner of 'Vada Chennai' film, plot, characters, prequel, sequel, spin-offs whatever comes out of those characters, even if you do a comic book out of it, he is the IP rights holder. 

 

So a copyright owner demanding money from any other person making use of his copyrighted material is legally right, morally right, it all correct. To vilify that or to portray that in negative light is not necessary in the first place. 

 

At the same time, the truth is the very next day I met with producer Thanu and Silambarasan TR, I phoned Dhanush and told him that I have two options in hand—I can either set the STR film in the world of 'Vada Chennai', or do a standalone film—and the outcome depends on you  because you are the copyright owner of 'Vada Chennai'. 

 

But what Dhanush told me at that time itself was 'Sir you do not think this way at all. Do what is comfortable for you creatively. I will speak with my team. If you think it is right to do a movie in the 'Vada Chennai' world, do it, I do not have any issues. I will speak with my team. We will give you the NOC immediately. No need of any money'."