In a shocking turn of events, the much-anticipated Tamil film STR 49, starring Silambarasan TR (Simbu) and Santhanam, has reportedly been dropped. Fans were buzzing with excitement when the project was announced, expecting a blockbuster combo of Simbu and Santhanam.

The film, directed by Ramkumar Balakrishnan, was launched with much fanfare earlier in 2025. The duo’s reunion was particularly exciting, given their past collaborations in films like Silambattam and Vaanam, where their chemistry stole the show.

Reports suggest that a major setback came when the Enforcement Directorate conducted a raid on producer Akash Bhaskaran, causing significant delays in the film’s production schedule. This financial hiccup created uncertainty, but the bigger blow came from the reported rift between the lead stars. Sources close to the project claim that Santhanam, who has carved a niche as a lead actor in comedy-centric films, sought a role in STR 49 that was on par with Simbu’s in terms of screen time and significance.