Actor-comedian Santhanam has lined up his next film as a lead. Tentatively titled Santa 20, the project will mark the actor’s 20th outing as a protagonist. The film will be helmed by debutant filmmaker Sudhaman Krishna.
The team recently kickstarted the project with a traditional pooja ceremony, signalling the start of production. Shooting for the film is already underway.
Santhanam gears up for a high-concept mystery
Santa 20 is said to revolve around a time loop concept and is being positioned as a detective thriller with strong science fiction influences. The narrative is expected to weave together elements of humour, mystery, and speculative storytelling. While the makers have not revealed detailed plot points yet, the premise suggests a story that plays with repeating timelines and investigative twists.
Over the years, Santhanam has steadily moved from being one of Tamil cinema’s most popular comedians to a full-fledged leading man. After dominating supporting comedy roles for more than a decade, he began headlining films such as A1, Parris Jeyaraj, and Agent Kannayiram. His recent appearance in DD Next Level, part of the Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise, further cemented his presence in genre-based entertainers that blend humour with fantasy or horror.
With Santa 20, the actor appears to be continuing that pattern by stepping into a story built around an unconventional narrative structure.
Here is the glimpse into the Pooja Video of @iamsanthanam‘s next #Santa20 💫ðŸ”�
A Time loop based Detective thriller filled with Humour & Mystery. Shooting in Progress…
Directed by #SudhamanKrishna
Produced by @venusinfotain @K7Studiosoffl @kjganesh082 @VijayKCelliah
A… pic.twitter.com/a2yObRBcFT— K7 Studios (@K7Studiosoffl) March 6, 2026
Ensemble cast and technical crew announced
The film stars Gopika Ramesh as the female lead. The actor is known for her appearances in the acclaimed web series Suzhal and the film Sweetheart!. Santa 20 marks another notable project in her growing body of work.
Santhanam will also be joined by a familiar supporting ensemble. His frequent collaborator Redin Kingsley plays an important role in the film. The cast further includes Jenson Diwakar, Pradeep Antony, George Maryan, Fouzee and veteran actor TSR.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Santhanam has ventured into a science fiction setting. In 2021, he starred in Dikkiloona, directed by Karthik Yogi. That film featured time travel as a central narrative device and combined romantic comedy with speculative elements. The new film appears to explore a similar space but through the lens of a detective story that unfolds across repeating timelines.
The technical team behind Santa 20 features several experienced names. Cinematography is handled by Richard M Nathan, known for his work across commercial Tamil cinema. Music for the film is composed by Nivas K Prasanna, whose scores have often balanced melody with mood-driven soundscapes suited for thrillers.
The project is produced by KJ Ganesh of Venus Infotainment along with Vijay K Celliah under the banner K7 Studios.
Although the makers have not announced a release window yet, the film is currently progressing through its production schedule. With its blend of sci-fi ideas, investigative storytelling and Santhanam’s signature humour, Santa 20 aims to offer a genre mix that could appeal to a wide audience.
For Santhanam, the film marks another step in his journey as a solo lead who is willing to experiment with different storytelling formats. If the premise translates well onto the screen, Santa 20 could become an interesting addition to the actor’s lineup of genre-driven entertainers.
Also Read: Santhanam’s Spooky Satire ‘DD Next Level’ Set To Sail On OTT
