Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films on Thursday shared the first look of its upcoming film Vada Chennai, directed and written by Vetrimaaran. Vada Chennai, meaning North Chennai, chronicles the lives of the residents of a village over 35 years. The poster features Dhanush’s character, Anbu, stepping out of the back of a police van in handcuffs. The release date has not been finalised.

A second poster shows Anbu suspended from a height and holding on to a rope with a dagger in his mouth. The makers have not disclosed details about Dhanush’s character.

Vada Chennai also stars Aishwarya Rajesh, Samuthirakani, Andrea Jeremiah and Ameer Sultan. Santhosh Narayanan has composed the music.

Vetrimaaran has planned Vada Chennai as a trilogy but recently said that they would take a call on a second film after seeing the response to the first. He also clarified that, contrary to reports, Vada Chennai is not a gangster film.

The project has seen numerous delays and changes in its principal cast since Vetrimaaran first began work on the film in 2009, shortly after the release of his directorial debut Polladhavan (2007). Karthi and Silambarasan were among those who were attached to the project before Dhanush took over as lead actor and producer. Anushka Shetty, Samantha Akkineni and Amala Paul had been roped in to play the female lead at different points.

Vada Chennai is Vetrimaaran’s third film starring Dhanush, after Polladhavan and Aadukalam (2011). For his performance in Aadukalam, Dhanush won a National Film Award for Best Actor. The film also won five other National Film Awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay for Vetrimaaran.

Dhanush and Vetrimaaran also co-produced M Manikandan’s Kaaka Muttai (2015) which won two National Awards. Vetrimaaran’s Visaaranai (2016), bankrolled by Dhanush, won the director a National Film Award and was India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at last year’s Academy Awards.