Maanaadu

Action Sci-Fi Thriller

U/A

Tamil

November 25, 2021

2hr 27min

Status: released

Trailer, Teaser & Videos

Poster & Photos

Where to Watch Maanaadu (Stream)

SonyLiv

The project was announced in July 2018, marking Prabhu’s maiden collaboration with Silambarasan.
During the extensive pre-production work, the producer ousted Silambarasan from the project in August 2019, citing his unprofessional behaviour, and the latter announced another project under the title Maghaa Maanaadu in that month, which he had dropped. The issue was resolved in November 2019, after Silambarasan agreed to allot his dates for the film.
Filming began on 19 February 2020 at Chennai, following a preliminary announcement about the cast and crew. Despite shooting being affected twice due to the restrictions followed during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the makers wrapped the shooting of the film within July 2021, taking only 68 working days for shooting. It was filmed extensively in Chennai, with sporadic schedules taking place in Pondicherry, Yercaud and Hosur.
Maanadu was reportedly scheduled for a theatrical release on 14 May 2021 (Eid-al-Fitr) but due to the extensive post-production activities the film’s released was postponed to August 2021, which was further delayed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. On 11 September 2021, it was announced that the film would be released in five Indian languages on 4 November 2021, during Diwali. Suresh Kamatchi said that the extensive visual effects work delayed the post-production process, thereby resulting in the film being scheduled for release on that date.
However, on 18 October 2021, he announced that the film will be postponed to 25 November 2021, in order to ensure a wider release and large number of screens being provided for the film, thereby avoiding clash with Annaatthe (2021), which also scheduled for release on the same day. The decision was made to avoid losses for the stake holders involved, according to Suresh Kamatchi. Furthermore, the issues revolving over the film’s copyrights and Silambarasan’s refusal to dub for the film, citing his pending remuneration, were the reasons for the delay.
The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were bought by SonyLIV, and it was premiered through the streaming service on 24 December 2021, four weeks after the film’s theatrical premiere. Initially, Kalaignar TV was reported to acquire the satellite rights, but it was later sold to Star Vijay.
The film was highlighted for the integration of the time-loop concept with commercial elements, with many publications calling it one of the best Tamil films of 2021.
It was declared as critically and commercially successful at the box office. A sequel is confirmed by Venkat Prabhu with the main cast returning.
In January 2022, Suresh Productions acquired the film’s remake rights in all other Indian languages as well as the dubbing rights of the film in Telugu version for ₹12 crore (US$1.5 million). In March, Venkat Prabhu said he planned to direct both the Hindi and Telugu remakes simultaneously with different star casts.
Following the success of the film, on 30 November 2021, Venkat Prabhu confirmed a sequel to the film with Silambarasan and S.J. Suryah returning. Prabhu added that the basic plot revolves around Khaliq going back to the loop resulting in Dhanushkodi returning to life.