Director Shankar Aims to Redefine Tamil Cinema with ‘Velpari’ as a Global Technological Marvel
Chennai, India – July 12, 2025: Renowned Tamil filmmaker S. Shankar, celebrated for blockbuster hits like Enthiran (Robot) and Sivaji: The Boss, has announced his ambitious new project, Velpari, which he envisions as a groundbreaking milestone for Tamil and Indian cinema. Speaking at a recent event in Chennai celebrating the success of the historical novel *Veera Yuga Nayagan Vel Pari* by Su Venkatesan, Shankar revealed his plans to adapt the novel into a film that could rival international epics like Avatar and Game of Thrones in scale and teochnological innovation.
Velpari, based on Venkatesan’s novel, tells the story of Vel Paari, a legendary Tamil ruler who stood against the powerful Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties. Shankar described the project as his “dream film,” emphasizing its potential to introduce cutting-edge technology to Tamil cinema. “My first dream project was Enthiran, but now Velpari is my focus. It has the scope to bring new technologies and become a proud moment for Indian and Tamil cinema on the global stage,” Shankar said.
The director’s bold vision has sparked excitement but also skepticism, given the recent box-office disappointments of his films Indian 2 and Game Changer. Critics and fans alike have urged Shankar to prioritize storytelling alongside his signature high-budget visual effects. However, the filmmaker remains confident, comparing Velpari’s potential to the grandeur of Hollywood’s biggest productions. “This film could be one of the biggest ventures ever made, with intricate costumes, art, and production design,” he added.
Superstar Rajinikanth, a frequent collaborator with Shankar, attended the event and praised the director’s contributions to Tamil cinema’s growth in the 1990s. “Shankar, along with directors like Bharathiraja and Mani Ratnam, transformed Tamil cinema. I’m eagerly waiting to see what he does with Velpari,” Rajinikanth said, recalling their successful collaborations on films like Enthiran and Sivaji.
While details about the cast and production team are yet to be announced, Shankar’s comments have already generated buzz online. Some fans are thrilled at the prospect of a Tamil film with global appeal, while others remain cautious, citing the financial risks of such a massive undertaking. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some users expressing hope that Shankar will deliver a compelling story to match the film’s ambitious technical aspirations.
Velpari is still in the pre-production phase, and finding a producer willing to back the high-budget project remains a challenge, especially after Shankar’s recent setbacks. Nevertheless, the director’s track record of pushing boundaries with films like Enthiran—a trailblazer in Indian cinema for its use of visual effects—suggests that Velpari could indeed mark a new chapter for Tamil cinema.
As Tamil and Indian films continue to gain international recognition, Velpari has the potential to showcase the industry’s ability to blend rich cultural storytelling with cutting-edge technology. Whether Shankar can fulfill his vision and create a global-standard film remains to be seen, but the anticipation is undeniable. Fans worldwide are eager to see if Velpari will live up to its promise as a cinematic landmark.
