After the response to the game changer, will director Shankar launch his magnum opus Velapari under strict budget rules?

Director Shankar is yet to announce his next project after Ram Charan starrer Game Changer hits the big screens in 2025. Now, almost a year after its release, it appears that the filmmaker is all set to start his next project soon, albeit with strict budget constraints.

Director Shankar is about to launch his magnum opus Velpari?

According to a report in Valai Pechu, director Shankar’s long-awaited film Velapari is finally seeing the light of day after initially struggling to find a producer. Reports suggest that the project will be largely financed by Penn Media.

However, after the overwhelming response that Shankar’s Indian 2 and Game Changer received, the makers are reportedly keen to maintain tight control over the budget and shooting schedule. The director has reportedly been asked to provide accurate budget estimates and the number of shooting days in a written statement to ensure that the project does not go over budget.

In line with this, the filmmaker has reportedly started pre-production, preparing an accurate budget estimate for the film. That said, this remains speculation as of now, with no official confirmation from the makers.

For those unaware, Velpari is based on Su Venkatesan’s novel Veer Yuga Nayagan Vel Pari. The film tells the story of how the Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms tried to overthrow the tribal king Vel Pari and the events that led to it.

Shankar’s previous film

Director Shankar last directed Ram Charan starrer Game Changer. The political action drama revolves around an honest IAS officer who fights against corruption and abuse of power within the political system and comes face to face with powerful individuals. During his fight for justice, he also uncovers truths about his past that are connected to current events.

The film starring Ram Charan in dual roles also starred Kiara Advani, SJ Suryah, Anjali, Jayaram, Mika Srikanth and many others in lead roles. Game Changer was released in theaters during Sankranti 2025, but it received an underwhelming response from both critics and audiences. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Looking ahead, Shankar had earlier announced a sequel to Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, titled Indian 3. However, there is no official update yet regarding its release.