Karthi
and
Anushka
Shetty
are
back
with
their
first
movie
release
of
the
year,
Alex
Pandiyan.
Their
first
combo
film
is
directed
by
Suraj
of
Padikathavan
fame
and
the
film
is
heading
for
a
massive
release
on
January
11.
The
first-ever
project
of
Karthi
and
Suraj
has
been
in
the
news
since
2008.
Earlier,
it
was
said
that
they
were
joining
hands
for
the
remake
of
Telugu
superhit
film
Vikramarkudu
but
it
did
not
happen
for
some
reason
and
later
Karthi
teamed
up
with
Siva
for
a
remake,
which
was
titled
Siruthaai.
After
much-delay,
things
starting
falling
into
place
for
Suraj.
The
makers
of
the
film
considered
a
couple
of
titles
before
zeroing
in
on
Alex
Pandiyan,
which
is
named
after
the
iconic
character
played
by
superstar
Rajinikanth
in
hit
film
Moondru
Mugam.
Casting
Process
The
film
was
formally
announced
in
2011
and
Anushka
Shetty
was
signed
to
pair
up
with
Karthi.
Many
actresses
including
Malayali
girl
Bhavana
was
approached
but
it
was
Anushka,
who
had
the
last
laugh.
Then,
the
race
for
the
second
fiddle
started
and
a
few
names,
including
Lakshmi
Rai
were
considered
but
Nikita
Thukral
bagged
the
film.
Later,
Sanusha,
Akanksha
Puri
were
also
signed
for
important
roles
followed
by
Santhanam,
Milind
Soman,
Suman
and
others.
With
this
the
casing
process
was
ended.
Alex
Pandiyan
The
movie
kicked
off
on
November
11
in
Kerala
and
the
shooting
was
completed
in
a
rapid
speed.
During
the
process,
there
were
rumours
that
director
Ameer
Sultan,
who
has
legal
disputes
with
production
house
Studio
Green,
halted
the
shoots.
But
the
director
denied
the
reports.
It
was
shot
in
Chennai,
Chalakudy,
Hyderabad,
Vishakhapatnam,
Mysore
and
few
other
places
in
North
India.
Alex
Pandiyan
One
of
the
highlights
of
Alex
Pandiyan
is
action
sequences.
The
stunt
scene
choreographed
by
Ganesh,
shot
on
a
moving
train
between
Mysore
and
KRS
dam
has
already
drawn
audience
attention.
Alex
Pandiyan
Six
cameras
were
used
and
a
train
was
reportedly
hired
for
15
days
by
the
movie
bosses.
It
costed
around
Rs
2
crore.
It
has
to
be
noted
that
Karthi
did
not
use
a
body
double
rather
he
performed
the
stunt
on
his
own.
Alex
Pandiyan
Alex
Pandiyan
has
five
songs
composed
by
Devi
Sri
Prasad
of
which
'Onnam
Class...',
sung
by
Mukesh
and
Priyadarshini,
and
written
by
Vaali
stands
out.
12
sets
were
erected
by
art
director
Prabhakar
to
shoot
the
songs
of
the
film.
Alex
Pandiyan
The
story
of
Alex
Pandiyan
is
about
an
aimless
and
irresponsible
guy,
played
by
Karthi,
who
does
anything
for
money.
According
to
the
director,
it
is
a
pure
action
comedy
film.
However,
the
film
is
releasing
tomorrow
in
over
350
screens
in
Tamil
Nadu.