Production on the highly anticipated Indian 3 has stalled as the project faces a standoff over salary arrears and remaining filming requirements. While producers at Lyca Productions aim for a 2027 Pongal release, reports indicate a disagreement between the studio and director Shankar regarding the necessity of additional footage.
Lyca Productions Rejects Request for More Shooting Days
The status of Indian 3 remains uncertain as the film’s team grapples with significant financial and technical challenges. Reports indicate that director Shankar has requested an additional 25 days of shooting to complete the project, a demand that Lyca Productions has reportedly rejected. The studio maintains that the film should be finalized using existing footage to avoid further investment, particularly following the commercial underperformance of Indian 2.
Beyond the creative disputes, the production is reportedly hindered by outstanding payments to key contributors. According to industry reports, both lead actor Kamal Haasan and music composer Anirudh have salary arrears, which have created a critical bottleneck for the film’s completion.
Strategic Stakes for Kamal Haasan, Shankar, and Lyca Productions
For all parties involved, the success of the third installment is viewed as a vital opportunity to regain momentum. The recent string of projects—including Indian 2, the Ram Charan-starrer Game Changer, and Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life—have faced commercial setbacks, placing immense pressure on the team to deliver a hit. When the second installment was in theaters, Kamal Haasan noted that he personally found the third chapter even more appealing.
Despite these challenges, the team is attempting to move forward. Lyca Productions has recently released new posters to signal that work on the film has recommenced, sparking renewed conversations across the industry. Director Shankar is reportedly focused on the project’s final stages, with the production team maintaining high hopes that the third chapter will resonate more strongly with audiences than its predecessor, as it is expected to cover plot elements not explored in the second film. Shankar has also indicated that he will only announce his next project after the third installment has completed its run and hit theaters.
Uncertainty Surrounding the 2027 Pongal Release
While industry talk points toward a target release during the 2027 Pongal festival, no official date has been confirmed by the studio.
Ultimately, the final release schedule depends on the resolution of the ongoing disputes. As noted in reports, the official announcement from Lyca Productions remains the only definitive indicator of the film’s status. Until the outstanding salary issues are settled and the remaining technical requirements are agreed upon, the project remains in a state of transition.
