"Endhiran"

"Endhiran"

Endhiran is a forthcoming science-fiction film being directed by S. Shankar, who with Endhiran, directs his tenth feature film. Despite several rumours regarding the lead actors, Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai have been formally announced to portray the title role. The film is expected to cost 120 crores and is set to contest with Kamal Haasan's film, Marmayogi, in a race to become India's most expensive film to date.

Casting

Apart from the original decided casting of Rajnikanth in the lead role, Shankar as director and A. R. Rahman,, who sets a new record for the most expensive Musician of India, the rest of the cast is expected to be named within the next six months. Several heroines were approached to essay the lead female role with Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra,Deepika Padukone,Asin Thottumkal,Trisha Krishnan, Shriya Saran, Priyamani and Nayantharabeing linked with the role and furthermore, Amitabh Bachchan, Narain and Arjun are being considered for further lead roles.In late January 2008, Aishwarya Rai was announced as the heroine of the project, and she later confirmed her appearance in the film to the news channel, Aaj Tak for a fee of 6 crores, becoming the highest paid actress in India with her salary for Endhiran. Endhiran is touted to become the most expensive film ever made in India.In a subsequent interview Aishwarya Rai expressed how much she always wanted work with Shankar and Rajnikanth, and is eager to work on the project. Telugu actor, J. D. Chakravarthy was chosen ahead of other actors to play the role of the villain in the film. Sujatha originally announced as the dialogue writer of the film, died during the production stages, with Balakumaran being named as his successor.

Along with Shankar's usual directorial assistants, Manoj Bharathiraja, son of noted fimmaker Bharathiraja, was signed on to be an assistant director. Sabu Cyril was signed up as the art director while Rathnavel has taken up the post of the cinematographer, after K. V. Anand, Manikandan, Nirav Shah, Thiru and Ravi K. Chandran all had opted out. The music composed from A. R. Rahman would feature lyrics from Vairamuthu and Pa. Vijay, while Raju Sundaram will act as a choreographer to the songs. The film will be edited by Anthony, with Manish Malhotra and Mary E. Vogt dually in charge of costume designs. Yuen Woo Ping will be the stunt co-ordinator for Endhiran, making his foray into Indian films, whilst Stan Winston Studios will take care of the animatronics in the film.

Filming
Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai as pictured in a song in the film.
Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai as pictured in a song in the film.

The film began on February 15, 2008 in Chennai when portfolio photographer G. Venket Ram did a photo shoot with Rajnikanth. Following this initial shoot, Shankar and the cinematographer Rathnavelu went on a world tour to location-hunt. The team visited Vienna in Austria, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Hanoi in Vietnam to pick suitable locations.The first three photo sessions were held with Rajnikanth in Mumbai and Chennai with Aishwarya Rai featuring in the fourth session.

The first schedule of the film was started on September 8, 2008 at Peru, where a song picturization featuring Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai was shot under the choreography of Raju Sundaram, at the historic site of the Machu Picchu. Other scenes for the song being finished off in the United States and then Brazil.
via:Wikipedia