In a sudden development, Gautham Vasudeva Menon’s contract with Sivaji Productions to direct Ajit’s next film has been terminated!

It has come as a bolt from the blue, as Gautham was busy with checking the prints of Vaaranam Aayiram and settling issues regarding the film’s Friday release!

Now the latest we hear is that Sivaji Productions has roped in Dharani to direct their Ajit venture, and shooting would start sometime in December.

Dharani has been asked to complete a script which will pander to the taste of Ajit fans, a typical mass masala.

As per our sources, trouble started brewing between Gautham and Ajit, almost a month back, over the delay in completing the script of the film. Gautham wanted to try out something different with Ajit, a realistic thriller about a killer and an extortionist.

The story was loosely based on Abu Salem- Monica Bedi affair, with Ajit playing a petty hoodlum from Tuthukudi called Sura who becomes an international criminal through extortion and kidnapping.

Later he meets a Kollywood actress Ragini to be played by Sameera Reddy, and falls in love.(hence the title Surangani). She joins him in his criminal activities (a la Bonnie and Clyde?), before a policeman (to be played by Prabhu) starts a manhunt for the deadly duo.

Everybody was kicked about the one line story, till things went awry between the star and his director. It seems Gautham’s comment at the Vaaranam Aayiram audio launch that “Surya is the most versatile actor in Kollywood” did not go down well with a section of actors in the industry.

Soirces close to Ajit say that Gautham took Ajit for granted, did not pander to his star ego, and did not meet the star on a regular basis which also led to a lot of misunderstanding.

Later it was said that the story will not be lapped up by Ajit fans as their hero is shown as an extortionist, which will go against his image. So Sivaji Productions have now chosen Dharani over Gautham, as he understands the nuances of making star movies.

For Dharani who has given mega hits like Dhil, Dhool and Ghilli, it will be his first film with Ajit.

Source: Sify.Com