Thala 57: Vivek Oberoi leaves Abhishek Bachchan behind to clinch Ajith's film

The hunt for the villain in Ajith's forthcoming movie, which is presently referred to as Thala 57, has ended. Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi has been signed to play the villain in the Siruthai Siva-directorial mega-budget Tamil movie.

There are wide-spread rumours doing rounds on social media sites that the makers have roped in Vivek Oberoi for the villain's role. The Bollywood star was impressed by the story and has given his consent to act in the forthcoming Tamil flick. A formal announcement on the issue will be made shortly, say reports.

It was earlier reported that the makers had approached a few big names from Bollywood, including Abhishek Bachchan. In the end, it appears like Vivek Oberoi, who made his Tamil debut in Ram Gopal Varma's Raththa Sarithiram, has sealed the deal. It has to be noted that Arvind Swami, Arjun Sarja, Sudeep and Prasanna were considered for the antagonist's role. But they reportedly turned down the offer for one reason or the other. 

Vivek Oberoi is believed to be playing an international criminal in the spy thriller, which will be made like a James Bond film. Ajith is playing an investigating officer in the movie. A crime occurs in Tamil Nadu and the hero, who wants to get to the root of the issue, investigates the case, which takes him to Europe.

A major part of Thala 57 will be shot abroad. The filming was started in August in Belgrade and the second schedule was kick-started earlier this month at Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad.

Thala 57, which has Kajal Aggarwal and Akshara Haasan in the female leads, has Thambi Ramaiah, Karunakaran, Appukutty and others in the supporting cast. Siruthai Siva is collaborating with Ajith for the third time after Veeram and Vedalam.

Sathya Jyothi Films is bankrolling the movie, which is expected to be released in May 2017. The film has Anirudh Ravichander's music, Ruben's editing and Vetri's cinematography.