Ayalaan () is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language science fiction film written and directed by R. Ravikumar, and produced by Kotapadi J. Rajesh under KJR Studios. It stars Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet Singh, Sharad Kelkar and Isha Koppikar.
The film was announced in October 2016 and principal photography took place from June 2018 to January 2021, with few reshoots in November 2022. It was predominantly shot in Chennai. The music is composed by A. R. Rahman and cinematography handled by Nirav Shah while editing is done by Ruben. The film has over 4500 visual effects shots, the most for an Indian film.
Ayalaan is scheduled to be released in January 2024, during Pongal.
Cast
Sivakarthikeyan
Rakul Preet Singh
Sharad Kelkar
Isha Koppikar as Eliza
Bhanupriya
Yogi Babu
Karunakaran
Bala Saravanan
Production
Development
On 16 October 2016, Sivakarthikeyan and his former manager-turned-producer R. D. Raja of 24AM Studios, announced their next project, which would be directed by R. Ravikumar, in his second directorial after Indru Netru Naalai (2015). Sivakarthikeyan stated, "It's going to be a very ambitious project. It needs to be made on a bigger scale, and hence, it will take time before it goes on floors". Ravikumar had to enhance the script of the science fiction film, which took more than a year, to finalise the pre-production works. Meanwhile, Sivakarthikeyan decided to concentrate on Velaikkaran and Seemaraja, both produced by Raja.
Post the completion of Velaikkaran, Sivakarthikeyan announced that he will officially collaborate with Ravikumar, for the project after completing the scripting works. It was reported that the project will be made on a lavish scale, with top technicians being brought in for the project. In mid-January 2018, Sivakarthikeyan further announced that he will start the shooting of the film only after completing the production works of Seemaraja. The project was reportedly produced by R. D. Raja via 24AM Studios. On 15 January 2018, it was announced that A. R. Rahman will compose music for the film, in his maiden collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan. Sivakarthikeyan described it as a "dream come true" moment, on associating with Rahman for the first time. The makers hired veteran cinematographer Nirav Shah as part of the technical crew.
In mid-July 2019, Raja decided to back out producing the film, and Sivakarthikeyan himself decided to lend financial support for the film, by producing it under his own banner Sivakarthikeyan Productions. However, when the project was revived in November, KJR Studios had decided to cash in the shares of Raja's productions, including this project. The company eventually went on to co-produced and distribute the film along with 24AM Studios, but 24AM Studios backed out later. The makers announced the film's title as Ayalaan on 3 February 2020.
Casting
Rakul Preet Singh was chosen for the female lead in February 2018, collaborating with Sivakarthikeyan for the first time. In April 2018, Yogi Babu and Karunakaran were reported to be a part of the film's cast. In August 2018, Sharad Kelkar was cast in a pivotal role, making his Tamil debut. In March 2019, Bollywood actress Isha Koppikar, was signed on, marking her return to Tamil cinema, a decade after her 2001 film Narasimha. She described her character Eliza as a femme fatale and assassin, inspired by the fictional character Lara Croft.
Filming
Principal photography began on 27 June 2018, preceded by a launch event in Chennai. Sivakarthikeyan and Singh attended the event, while Bhanupriya, Kothandam and Bala Saravanan, were present during the event with other cast and crew members. Following the launch, the film's team headed to Gokulam Studios for a brief schedule. Nirav Shah used the Alexa LF camera, making Ayalaan the first Indian film to be shot using this camera. Kopikkar joined the shooting sets in July 2018. Major portions of the film were shot in Chennai.
Filming was put on hold due to financial issues, as well as Sivakarthikeyan's commitments in other projects. On 18 February 2019, Sivakarthikeyan had resumed filming in Chennai. However, Sivakarthikeyan's involvement in the shooting of Mr. Local, Namma Veettu Pillai and Hero delayed the project further. Adding to these reasons was the financial issues, surrounding Raja's production house, 24AM Studios, which led Raja backing out of the project, and Sivakarthikeyan himself decided to lend financial support for the film, by producing it under his own banner.