Buzz: Malavika Mohanan to replace Rashmika Mandanna in Vikram, Pa Ranjith's ambitious film Chiyaan 61

The news of Vikram joining hands with acclaimed filmmaker Pa Ranjith evoked huge curiousity among cinephiles. The movie which has been tentatively titled Chiyaan 61 was officially launched a few months ago. KE Gnanavel Raja will be bankrolling the film under the banner of Studio Green.

The makers had announced earlier that the movie will be set in the backdrop of Kolar Gold Fields. Tipped as a period flick, it will touch upon the story of people who were involved in gold mining in the pre-independence era. The project is expected to go on floors in a few days in Karnataka. We hear that makers have plans to release Chiyaan 61 in 3D as well.

Rashmika Mandanna's name was doing the rounds with regard to essaying the female lead in the project, though makers have been tight-lipped about it. According to the grapevine, Malavika Mohanan is likely to replace the Pushpa actress. Sources say that Rashmika has her hands full, and that she is not in a position to allot dates for the movie.

Her next outing in Tamil is Vamshi Paidipally's Vijay-starrer Varisu which will hit the screens in January 2023. She will be seen sharing screen space with Karthi for the second time for the untitled film with Raju Murugan.

GV Prakash has been roped in to compose music for Chiyaan 61; the musician had earlier collaborated for Vikram-starrers in Deiva Thirumagal and Thaandavam. Kishore Kumar and Selva will crank the camera and helm editing respectively for the film.

Vikram has had three releases this year - Mahaan, Cobra and Ponniyin Selvan - while Pa Ranjith's Natchathiram Nagargiradhu released along with the former's Cobra a couple of months ago.