Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's much-hyped "Enthiran", also spelled as "Endhiran", was launched on Wednesday, 16 December, and the shooting has started in Chennai.

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Director Shankar announced the news on Twitter posting, "2.0 shoot starts from tomorrow.. Excited!!!" Lyricist Madhan Karly too confirmed the news and said, "Endhiran 2.0 shoot begins today. Happy and proud to be part of the sequel. Heartfelt thanks and wishes to Director @shankarshanmugh."

Enthiran (Endhiran) 2 Launch
A picture from "Enthiran 2" (Endhiran 2) launch.IB Times India

As per the Tamil calendar, the month of Margazhi begins on Wednesday and hence the makers have started shooting on the auspicious day.

According to sources, the shooting of "Enthiran 2" will  be held at EVP Film City in the outskirts of Chennai, where a huge set has been erected. Rajinikanth will be joining the regular shooting only in January or February, as he is currently occupied with his forthcoming film "Kabali".

Amy Jackson plays the female lead in "Enthiran 2". She will seen in the role of an antagonist in the film and there will be one more big actress from Bollywood who will be romancing the superstar in the flick. 

Buzz says that Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was supposed to play the role of a baddie, has opted out of the movie. The makers are now in search of a replacement and rumours have it that Shankar had offered the role to Hrithik Roshan, Vikram and a few others. 

Reports say that the makers are now keen on casting a top Bollywood actor. It was recently said that Neil Nitin Mukesh, who had made his Tamil debut in "Kaththi" starring Vijay and Samantha, has been approached and he is likely to act in the flick.

When it comes to the technical department, two-time Oscar Award winner and Shankar's favourite AR Rahman will be composing music, Nirav Shah will handle the cinematography, Sean Foot will be doing the make-up, Muthuraj will take care of art direction and Srinivas Mohan will be responsible for the visual effects in "Enthiran 2".

It is a sequel to blockbuster "Enthiran", which was released in 2010. Rajinikanth played dual roles of a scientist and his creation robot in it, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played the female lead role with Danny Denzongpa playing the antagonist's character.