Karthi confirms Kaithi 2 will begin filming next year, Lokesh Kanagaraj to return as director

Kaithi 2 will begin filming next year, Karthi has confirmed. He also said that Lokesh Kanagaraj will return as the director for the sequel of the 2019 film.

Actor Karthi has confirmed that he will commence work on Kaithi 2, the sequel to his 2019 film, next year. During a press conference for the promotions of his upcoming film Viruman, he also added that Lokesh Kanagaraj will return to direct the sequel. The project will take off after Lokesh completes his upcoming project with Vijay.

Karthi in a still from Kaithi (2019).

Karthi said that Kaithi 2, which will mark his reunion with Lokesh, will take off next year. Kaithi 2 is part of the larger cinematic universe created by Lokesh, which also includes Lokesh's recent Kamal Haasan-starrer Vikram. Karthi had a voice cameo in Vikram, connecting the two films. Suriya, who appeared as the antagonist in Vikram in a cameo, is expected to have a role in Kaithi 2, as well.

A clip from the press interaction in Kerala surfaced on social media on Tuesday. In the clip, Karthi said, "Kaithi 2 next year we are planning. After Lokesh finishes Vijay sir's film we will start with this film."

In Kaithi (2019), Karthi played a prisoner on parole to meet his daughter, whom he has never seen. When he crosses paths with a cop, he is compelled to join forces with him and fight the drug lords who are after a cocaine consignment in police custody. The entire story unfolds in a single night within a span of four hours.

Directed by Lokesh, Kaithi grossed over ₹100 crore in cinemas during its run. The film was lauded for its tight screenplay and extremely well-choreographed fight sequences. The project is now being remade in Hindi, titled Bholaa, with Ajay Devgn in the lead. In July, Ajay confirmed he will play the titular character as well as direct the project. The film will also star Tabu in a crucial role.

Currently, Karthi is awaiting the release of Viruman in cinemas on Friday. Directed by M Muthaiah, the film is a rural entertainer which marks the debut of Aditi Shankar, daughter of filmmaker Shankar. Karthi also awaits the release of the upcoming Tamil cop thriller, Sardaar.

Fans will also see him in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan-I. The film also features Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Jayam Ravi, and Jayaram. Ponniyin Selvan-Part 1 is a cinematic adaptation of author Kalki Krishnamurthy's Tamil novel of the same name. The film is all set to hit the theatres on September 30, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.