Dhanush reportedly approached for a key role in Shankar’s ‘Velpari’

Dhanush reportedly approached for a key role in Shankar’s ‘Velpari’

• Director Shankar eyes Dhanush for key role in Velpari epic
• Velpari may be co-produced by Take Studios, backing Dhanush's D55
• Film based on Tamil novel, aims for pan-Indian star cast

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Kollywood buzz is heating up around veteran filmmaker Shankar and his next ambitious project Velpari, with reports suggesting that Dhanush has been approached to play a pivotal role in the historical drama. Velpari is described as a “dream project” for Shankar, following a string of underwhelming performances by his recent films, including Indian 2 and Game Changer.

The director is said to be in pre-production on the film and exploring casting choices that could elevate its appeal.

According to insiders, Shankar’s team has reached out to Dhanush for a significant role in Velpari, though no official confirmation has been made. The move is being seen as part of a strategy to bring together strong talent and inject fresh energy into the filmmaker’s upcoming work.

Additionally, production house Take Studios — which is backing Dhanush’s own project, currently titled D55 — is likely to co-produce Velpari, further fueling speculation about the collaboration. Shankar’s presence at the D55 pooja ceremony has been cited as a potential indicator of this developing partnership.

Velpari is based on the novel Veera Yuga Nayagan Vel Pari by Su Venkatesan, a tale rooted in Tamil history that centers on the tribal king Vel Paari and his resistance to powerful empires.

The film is expected to be a large-scale historical epic — a departure from Shankar’s recent contemporary action films — and industry watchers believe that adding a star of Dhanush’s stature could help boost its profile. Several reports also link the project with other top actors, making Velpari one of the most talked-about upcoming ventures in Tamil cinema.

Early rumors suggested that Ranveer Singh and Vikram were also being considered as potential leads in Velpari, with Shankar looking at casting top stars from both Bollywood and South Indian cinema to make the film pan-Indian.

Also read: Dhanush faces Rs 20 Crore legal notice from Thenandal films over stalled project

Dhanush’s upcoming slate includes multiple projects, including D55, which he is producing and which stars Mammootty, Sreeleela, and Sai Pallavi.