Vikram's 'I' is biggest-ever release for Tamil-language film in U.S, India

Chiyaan Vikram's most anticipated film 'I' has been recognized as the biggest-ever release for Tamil-language movie in U.S and India, it has been reported.

In the U.S., it's going out via distributor Aascar Film in over 200 theaters with versions in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu and no South Indian film has ever opened this wide in the U.S. market before, whereas in India, the opening is on a record 6,500 screens, Deadline.com reported.

In 'I,' Vikram plays three characters: bodybuilder Lingesan, top model Lee, and the Hunchback. All are the same person, but change over time. Diya, a supermodel played by Amy Jackson, falls for Lee, who is really Lingesan after a makeover.

Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop did the creature makeup, and Stan Winston Studios handled animatronics for 'I'.

Notably, much of the film was shot in China, and a wide release has been planned there with about 12,000 dates all throughout Asia in March.

Naveen Varadarajan, head of U.S. operations for Aascar, said that this was the last Tamil film to be shot in 35mm.