Crime drama Dosa King to be helmed by acclaimed director TJ Gnanavel

The fictional drama is inspired by the rise and fall of the empire built by restaurant mogul P Rajagopal and his epic clash with Jeevajothi.
Acclaimed director TJ Gnanavel is all set to deliver another cinematic magnum opus with Junglee Pictures’ Dosa King. Known for making much-loved films like Badhaai Do and Raazi, Junglee Pictures has teamed up with Gnanavel to bring this epic story to the big screen.

Written by Gnanavel and Hemanth Rao, the pan-India film is inspired by the epic clash of Jeevajothi and P Rajagopal, setting the stage for a battle of ambition, power and justice. The production house has acquired the exclusive life rights of Jeevajothi Santhakumar for an in-depth on screen portrayal of the saga, which will be mounted on a grand scale.

Dosa King is inspired by the shocking crime of the restaurant mogul, famously known as the Dosa King, that triggered a landmark conviction after an intense 18-year legal battle — P Rajagopal v. State of Tamil Nadu. Gnanavel, who is all set to bring this story to life, is best known for his critically-acclaimed Tamil film Jai Bhim, which he wrote and directed, as well as notable films like Payanam and Kootathil Oruthan.

Hemanth is known for the cult Kannada film, Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu and other films like Kavaludaari and Sapta Saagaradaache Ello Side A/Side B, that were both written and directed by him. He has also co-written Andhadhun, which was widely acclaimed in Hindi cinema, and is co-writing Dosa King alongside Gnanavel.

Expressing his excitement, Gnanavel shared, “I’ve been following Jeevajothi’s sto ry since my days as a journalist. Dosa King is a hard-hitting story that exposes how the system functions, with a focus on the crime and thriller aspects of the narrative. This film is my chance to share a story I witnessed first-hand 20 years ago, and I’m thrilled to partner with Junglee Pictures.”

A spokesperson of Junglee Pictures added, “Dosa King is a thrilling narrative that demands a masterful blend of scale, drama and entertainment. We’re beyond excited to team up with the meticulous Gnanavel to bring this monumental film to life. Hemanth and Gnanavel, through extensive research, have crafted a script with such powerful twists and turns, making it a high-octane commercial and cinematic experience.”

Production of the film and casting for the lead roles will begin soon. What the film is about The fictional drama will chronicle events inspired by the rise and fall of the globally famous empire, Saravana Bhavan, built by P Rajagopal, and the fearless Jeevajothi, who took on the powerful tycoon.

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