IN Entertainment (India) Limited, part of the Hinduja Group, has tied up with Chennai-based Wide Angle Creations led by Suresh Balaje and George Pius to produce ‘Billa 2’.

Ajith, carrying on from the blockbuster success of 'Billa' in 2007, will relive the lead role of ‘Billa’. The film, helmed by ace director Vishnuvardhan, will go on the floors in early April 2011 and is being envisaged for a release between December 2011 and February 2012.

Soumik Sen, who heads development at INE, has worked on the screenplay along with Vishnuvardhan and the same is being developed into Tamil dialogue draft presently.

Yuvan Shankar Raja (music director) and Nirav Shah (director of photography), who worked on 'Billa' are likely to be associated with this project too.

Says Sunir Kheterpal, CEO - IN Entertainment, 'INE is looking to develop and produce films with talented Film-makers in Tamil and Telugu and it is an honour to be associated with a brand like ‘Billa’, original producers of ‘Billa’ (which starred Rajinikanth) represented by Suresh Balaje, Ajith and Vishnuvardhan in our first Tamil film.'

Commenting on the association, Suresh Balaje says 'We are delighted to be working with INE and the Hinduja Group. It is a nostalgic homecoming for us as we produced the original ‘Billa’ with Rajinikanth. ‘Billa 2’ will go on the floors in early April 2011 as soon as Ajith's current project Mankatha is completed'.

Ajith adds, putting an end to all speculation around the film, it is my next film and we start filming in early April 2011. Prequel to 'Billa' is an exciting premise and I am delighted to be working with close friends, Suresh Balaje and Vishnu and am glad that we have a strong company like INE backing this project.'

Vishnuvardhan says, 'prequel to ‘Billa’ is a tremendously powerful idea and we have finalized a screenplay which matches the intensity of the underlying idea. We are working towards putting together the winning team'.

Listen to 'Billa' songs on Raaga!