'3.6.9' director Shiv Madhav announces sci-fi superhero film with pan-South cast
Synopsis
Shiv Madhav, the Tamil director who shot a feature film in 81 minutes to claim two world records, is now swinging for the mainstream — a 1980s-set sci-fi superhero entertainer with a pan-South cast, Hollywood-scale practical sets, and a shoot at Ramoji Film City starting October. It is a deliberate break from record-chasing, and arguably his biggest bet yet.
Key Takeaways
Director Shiv Madhav has announced a sci-fi superhero film set in the 1980s as his next project.
The film will feature leading actors from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema.
Shoot is scheduled to begin in October entirely at Ramoji Film City , Hyderabad.
The production will rely on practical sets and miniatures over CGI, aiming for a Hollywood-scale look.
Shiv Madhav's debut '3.6.9' set two world records as the first film shot in 81 minutes with 100 actors .
The director declined multiple offers over three years to make another record-only film before committing to this commercial project.
Tamil filmmaker Shiv Madhav, best known for directing '3.6.9' — the science-based film that earned two world records as the first feature shot in just 81 minutes with 100 actors — has announced his next project: a big-budget sci-fi superhero entertainer set in the 1980s, featuring leading actors from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema. The announcement marks a deliberate pivot from record-chasing to mainstream commercial filmmaking.
What the Film Promises
The yet-untitled project is described as a blend of science fiction and fantasy, built around a superhero premise with a strong scientific backdrop. Shiv Madhav has said he is aiming for a Hollywood-scale production, relying heavily on practical sets, miniatures, and selective use of VFX and AI tools rather than a CGI-dependent pipeline. Pre-production work and miniature construction are already underway.
Shooting is scheduled to begin in October, with the entire film to be shot at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. The cast and technical crew, according to the director, will include prominent names, though no specific actors have been announced yet.
Why Shiv Madhav Is Moving Away from Record Films
Shiv Madhav was candid about the frustrations that drove his shift. '3.6.9' became the first film from Tamil Nadu to achieve two world records, yet the director says the achievement went largely unnoticed. 'My first film was '3.6.9'. It became the first film from Tamil Nadu to achieve two world records. But unfortunately, people did not even get to know that a person had made a film with 100 actors in just 81 minutes,' he said.
He added that over the past three years, multiple producers approached him to make another record-oriented film, but he declined. 'I did not want to continue being identified only as a filmmaker who makes record-setting films. The reason is that there is hardly any recognition for such achievements here,' he explained. Acknowledging that cinema is also a business, he said the commercial route was a conscious and considered decision.
The Scale and Ambition
'I am attempting something on a Hollywood scale, with large sets and several practical elements instead of depending completely on CGI,' Shiv Madhav said. He noted that the past three years were spent studying VFX, AI, and advanced filmmaking techniques in preparation. Notably, he has indicated that this film will again attempt a world record — though this time, the record-breaking element will be embedded within a commercially viable framework rather than being the film's sole identity.
What's Next
With pre-production progressing at pace and a shoot start targeted for October, the film represents one of the more ambitious independent production attempts in South Indian cinema in recent memory. Formal casting announcements and production house details are expected to follow as the project moves closer to its shoot date.
Point of View
And he is honest about that trap. The more interesting question is whether a director whose entire public identity rests on a technical stunt can build the storytelling muscle a commercial superhero film demands — especially one competing in a post-Baahubali, post-KGF South Indian market where scale is table stakes, not a differentiator. The 1980s setting and practical-effects emphasis suggest he has studied his references carefully. Whether the pan-South casting strategy translates into genuine multi-market reach, or simply inflates the budget, will define whether this is a breakthrough or a cautionary tale.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is director Shiv Madhav?
Shiv Madhav is a Tamil filmmaker best known for directing '3.6.9', which set two world records as the first film shot in just 81 minutes with 100 actors. He is now announcing his shift to mainstream commercial cinema with a sci-fi superhero project.
What is Shiv Madhav's new film about?
The film is a sci-fi superhero entertainer set in the 1980s, blending science fiction and fantasy. It will feature a pan-South cast from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema, and is being made on a large budget with practical sets and miniatures.
When and where will the new film be shot?
Shooting is scheduled to begin in October, with the entire film to be shot at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. Pre-production and miniature work are already in progress.
Why did Shiv Madhav move away from record-setting films?
Shiv Madhav said that despite '3.6.9' achieving two world records, the achievement went largely unrecognised. He also received multiple offers over three years to make another record-based film but declined, stating he did not want to be defined solely as a filmmaker who chases records.
Will the new film attempt any world record?
Shiv Madhav has indicated he is once again attempting to create a world record with this film, but this time the record-breaking element will be part of a commercially oriented project rather than its primary purpose.
