Dharman
| Dharman | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ashwath Marimuthu |
| Produced by | Kamal Haasan R. Mahendran |
| Written by | Ashwath Marimuthu |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Cinematography | Niketh Bommi |
| Edited by | Pradeep E. Ragav |
Production company | |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
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; also marketed as Dharman: The Deadly Doctor) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Ashwath Marimuthu. Produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, the film stars Rajinikanth, alongside Simran and Raashii Khanna.
Initially, K. S. Ravikumar was in discussion as the director of Rajinikanth's first film under the production of Haasan's banner. In November 2025, Sundar C was announced as the director but soon opted out. In January 2026, Cibi Chakravathy was named as his replacement. However, that June, Ashwath was announced as the director alongside the film's official title. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Niketh Bommi and editing by Pradeep E. Ragav.
Cast
Production
Development
After the success of Coolie in mid-2025, it was reported that Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan would collaborate as lead actors after 46 years, since Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (1979) under the direction of Lokesh Kanagaraj.[1][2] That September, at an award night, Haasan confirmed a potential collaboration with Rajinikanth.[3] A few days later, Rajinikanth announced that he had signed his 173rd film with Haasan's company, Raaj Kamal Films International, which would be distributed by Red Giant Movies.[4] However, he also stated that the director for the project had yet to be finalised.[5][6] The following month, it was reported that due to the subpar critical response to Coolie, Rajinikanth and Haasan had discussions with other directors besides Lokesh, with Nelson Dilipkumar emerging a front-runner.[7] Lokesh later clarified that he spent over a month writing a script for Rajinikanth and Haasan; they wanted him to direct them in a "light hearted" film as a break from the consecutive action films they had been acting in, but Lokesh refused, feeling he did not specialise in such films.[8] After some reports claimed that Pradeep Ranganathan would direct the project, he denied this during an interview with Anupama Chopra.[9]
Pre-production
Prior to the project's official commencement, Rajinikanth was reported to reunite with Sundar C after Arunachalam (1997) for a seperate film.[10] Reports claimed that production was set to begin immediately after the actor completed Jailer 2 (2026).[11] However, on 5 November, Sundar was announced as the director of this project, also reuniting with Haasan after Anbe Sivam (2003).[12] It was also confirmed that Haasan's role was limited to producing, rather than acting as previously rumoured.[13] On 13 November, just over a week after the announcement, Sundar announced his exit from the project, citing "unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances".[14] Ashwath Marimuthu was later approached and developed a script that impressed Rajnikanth. Discussions regarding casting had begun, but Ashwath was ultimately unable to continue for undisclosed reasons.[15]
Cibi Chakravarthy, who previously directed Don (2022), was announced as the new director on 3 January 2026.[16] Later that month, Rajinikanth revealed that principal photography would begin in April.[17] However, in April, reports emerged that Cibi had also left the film and that Ashwath was being considered as his replacement.[18] At the end of the month, this report was contradicted by other reports claiming Cibi remained attached to direct and was revising the script at Rajinikanth's request.[19] Sundar later revealed that he had left the project due to feeling pressured and preferred to make films according to his own creative vision.[20]
On 24 June 2026, the film's title was announced as Dharman, and Ashwath was confirmed to be the new director and writer.[21] Speaking at the title announcement event, Rajinikanth revealed that K. S. Ravikumar had discussions to direct before Sundar, and the latter left due to "prior commitments". He said he appreciated Cibi's script, based on nuclear weaponry, but it needed "a different level of planning and budget" due to its large scale. Rajinikanth expressed admiration for Ashwath's Dragon (2025), which played a key role in approaching him, and said although Haasan was initially unwilling to listen to Ashwath's script, leaving Rajinikanth to take a decision, Rajinikanth urged him to listen, and Haasan finalised Ashwath as director after both men were impressed with his script.[22]
Casting
Rajinikanth will be playing a doctor in the film, marking the first time in his career.[23][24] Kamal Haasan was suggested by early reports to star alongside Rajinikanth, reuniting with him on screen after 46 years.[25] However, when Sundar C was announced as director in November 2025, it was confirmed that Haasan would participate solely as producer.[26] On 24 June 2026, Simran and Raashii Khanna were announced as the film's lead actresses.[27] Discussions regarding additional casting had previously taken place during Ashwath Marimuthu's initial involvement with the project.[15]
Filming
Principal photography is scheduled to start on 25 June 2026.[28] The first schedule will commence with a song sequence.[29]
Music
The soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his first collaboration with Ashwath and sixth with Rajinikanth.[16] The audio rights were acquired by Saregama.[30] During the film's launch, Ashwath stated the soundtrack would feature eight songs.[29]
Release
The film was scheduled to be released in January 2027, on the occasion of Pongal, by Red Giant Movies, when Sundar was the director.[31] After his replacement with Cibi, the release window remained unchanged.[16]
References
- ↑ "Buzz: Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan to reunite after 46 years; Lokesh Kanagaraj to direct gangster drama". The Times of India. 21 August 2025. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan to reunite after 46 years in Lokesh Kanagaraj's upcoming gangster drama?". The Indian Express. 19 August 2025. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Kamal Haasan confirms reuniting with Rajinikanth on screen after 46 years". The Hindu. 7 September 2025. Archived from the original on 10 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Madhav, Pramod (17 September 2025). "Rajinikanth hints at collaboration with Kamal Haasan: Yet to decide director". India Today. Archived from the original on 19 October 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Rajinikanth confirms project with Kamal Haasan's RKFI and Red Giant Movies: Yet to finalise the director, says superstar". The Hindu. 17 September 2025. Archived from the original on 17 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Chauhan, Manisha (17 September 2025). "Rajinikanth talks about dream collaboration with Kamal Haasan after 46 years, says 'we need a...'". DNA India. Archived from the original on 17 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "NOT Lokesh Kanagaraj, THIS director to helm Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan reunion, fans excited". The Times of India. 28 October 2025. Archived from the original on 3 March 2026. Retrieved 5 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Kumar, Akshay (26 January 2026). "Not Coolie: Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals why he isn't a part of Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan's Thalaivar 173". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Pradeep Ranganathan says 'No' to directing Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan project; Chooses acting over direction". The Times of India. 9 October 2025. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Rajinikanth's next after 'Jailer 2' will be with THIS director; A reunion loading after 30 years, fans excited". The Times of India. 16 October 2025. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Rajinikanth and Sundar C to reunite for a new film: Reports". Cinema Express. 7 October 2025. Archived from the original on 11 November 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan unite for Thalaivar 173, eye Pongal 2027 release". India Today. 5 November 2025. Archived from the original on 15 November 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Thailavar 173: Makers Of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan Film Celebrate 'Two Kings' Decades Of Friendship' With New Promos". Times Now. 9 November 2025. Archived from the original on 10 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Director Sundar C exits Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 173, produced by Kamal Haasan". India Today. 13 November 2025. Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Ashwath Marimuthu says he was considered for Thalaivar 173: 'Rajini sir even discussed villain casting, but…'". Cinema Express. 25 March 2026. Archived from the original on 26 March 2026. Retrieved 26 March 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "'Thalaivar 173': Cibi Chakaravarthi to helm Rajinikanth's next with Kamal Haasan". The Hindu. 3 January 2026. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026. Retrieved 3 January 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Thalaivar 173: Rajinikanth shares new update on film with Cibi Chakravarthy". India Today. 15 January 2026. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Rajinikanth's film to undergo another change: Is it Ashwath Marimuthu over Cibi?". India Today. 13 April 2026. Archived from the original on 19 April 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Thalaivar 173: Cibi Chakravarthy Confirmed for Rajinikanth's Upcoming Film Despite Speculations of a Replacement; Kamal Haasan Supports the Decision". Zoom TV. 1 May 2026. Archived from the original on 1 May 2026. Retrieved 1 May 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Sundar C on quitting Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan's Thalaivar 173: 'I couldn't handle the pressure…'". Cinema Express. 3 May 2026. Archived from the original on 12 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Sarkar, Rituparna (24 June 2026). "Rajinikanth's Dharman First Look Out: Producer Kamal Haasan Unveils Powerful Poster; Fans Scream 'Thalaivaaaaaaa'". The Sunday Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Dharman: Rajinikanth reveals Ashwath Marimuthu as fourth director after Sundar C, Cibi Chakravarthy, and…". Cinema Express. 24 June 2026. Archived from the original on 24 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "'Thalaivar 173': Is Rajinikanth playing a doctor for the first time in his career in the Ashwath Marimuthu directorial?". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dharman-first-look-rajinikanth-is-a-doctor-with-killer-instinct-in-kamal-haasans-film-11679755/amp/1. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2025-09-08). "Kamal Haasan confirms reuniting with Rajinikanth on screen after 46 years". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ "Kamal Haasan to produce Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 173 film". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ "Rajinikanth's Thalaivar173 Titled Dharman, Kamal Haasan Reveals How Collab Was Planned Mid-air 40 Years Ago". ETV Bharat News. 24 June 2026. Archived from the original on 24 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Rajinikanth's 173rd film titled 'Dharman', shooting to begin from June 25". The Telegraph. 24 June 2026. Archived from the original on 24 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 29.0 29.1 Desk, Cinema Express (2026-06-11). "Ashwath Marimuthu says Rajinikanth's Dharman will be a mix of Padayappa and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ 123telugu (2026-06-24). "Rajinikanth's 'Dharman' Locks OTT and Audio Partners Ahead of Shoot". 123telugu.com. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ "'Thalaivar 173': Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan to team up for director Sundar C". The Hindu. 5 November 2025. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
External links
Template:Raaj Kamal Films International
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