Mirror (October 10) had earlier reported that the makers of Rajinikanth’s upcoming film, Annaatthe, had decided to push forward the final schedule at the last minute keeping in mind the safety of the veteran actor during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. They were to start shooting in Hyderabad from October 23 and work on a massive set had started at Ramoji Film City. Now, almost two months later, they have resumed shooting with a 45-day schedule at the same location. Along with Rajinikanth, Nayanthara who plays his wife and Keerthy Suresh, his sister, will be filming the post interval scenes. “It will be an intense final leg with lots of action and drama. The entire first half is already in the cans,” revealed a source close to the development.

While the producers of this Siva directorial did suffer some monetary losses due to the delay, they are confident that Rajini’s return to the screen after a year-and-a-half will bring in the crowds. Meanwhile, apart from the government prescribed SoPs, the producers have gone for a complete indoor schedule with strict bio-bubble protocols. Shooting will be over by January and they are targeting an April 2021 release around the Tamil New Year.

On December 12, Rajini brought in his 70th birthday in Chennai, following which he flew to Hyderabad to resume work. He is expected to announce his full-time entry into politics on December 31. His birthday cake read, “Now or Never”.