Popular Tamil film producer and comedy actor Swaminathan passed away yesterday (August 10) due to Covid-19 Corona Virus. The news took everyone by deep shock and the entire film fraternity mourned the loss. Swaminathan, along with his two partners - Muralidharan and Venugopal produced films under the banner of Lakshmi Movie Makers. The banner is known for producing quality films like Gokulathil Seethai, Dharma Chakkaram, Unnai Thedi, Ullam Kollai Poguthae, Unnai Ninaithu, Bagavathi, Anbe Sivam, Pudhupettai, etc. STR has now released an official statement expressing his condolences on the death of producer Swaminathan.

Notably, STR’s Silambattam was produced by Swaminathan’s Lakshmi Movie Makers. STR’s official statement read, “Producer Swaminathan was very close to me. He was a very soft and knowledgeable person. He knew what film to make and which actor to collaborate with. He took good care of me during the shooting of Silambattam. During our schedule in Sri Lanka, he understood my needs and took care of me as a brother. I have so many memories associated with him. I didn't expect him to leave us all so soon. It is so disheartening that no one could even go and meet him in his last days because of the virus. We assure to be of great support to his sons, Ashwin and Ashok. I am deeply disturbed and saddened by his demise and I wish his family gains the strength to overcome these testing times. My deepest condolences to his family. I will pray for his departed soul to rest in peace.".

On the work front, Simbu has two different projects in his kitty and both are in different stages of production. His next release would be Maha, in which he will be seen playing an extended cameo as Hansika’s boyfriend. Maha happens to be Hansika’s 50th film and it is directed by debutant U.R.Jameel. Apart from Maha, there is Maanaadu which will have STR playing the lead role. This political drama is directed by Venkat Prabhu and produced by Suresh Kamatchi and has music scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Maanaadu is expected to showcase Simbu in a completely different dimension and the fans are excitedly waiting for it.

If things go well, Maanaadu will be a fitting comeback for Simbu whose last film, Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven didn’t fare well at the box office. Maanaadu’s star cast includes S.J.Surya, Bharathiraja, S.A.Chandrasekhar, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Premgi Amaran, Karunakaran, Udhayaa, Manoj Bharathiraja, Daniel Annie Pope, and others. The shooting of this film will resume post the pandemic and the team is all geared up and ready for it. The film is planned to be shot on a large scale.