Suriya's Singham 3 strikes gold even before its release!

Tamil superstar Suriya is yet to finish the shootingof his upcoming Singham 3. But the film is already earning money for producer KE Gnanavel Raja.

Singham 3 marks the return of Suriya in one of his best loved avatars: a police officer. Director Hari's third installment of the hugely successful Singham franchise also stars Shruti Hasaan and Anushka Shetty - who portrays Suriya's wife.

According to Telugu media reports, the Nizam/Andhra Pradesh rights of Singham 3 have been sold for a whopping Rs 18 crore to Malkapuram Sivakumar, the producer of Telugu film Shourya fame, which turned out to be highest ever for a Suriya-starrer. The Ghajini actor's last film, 24, was a huge blockbuster in Nizam and AP as well.

The makers are planning to release the much-awaited triquel during the auspicious period of Ayudha Pooja. The music of the film has been composed by Harris Jayaraj.

Singham 3 also stars Radha Ravi, Vivek, Nassar and Sumitra.