Filmmaker Mari Selvaraj has officially begun shooting for his next Tamil film, Manjanathi. The project marks the director’s sixth feature film and comes with a significant first for his career, as he collaborates with veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja for the first time.

The makers announced the commencement of filming today, while also unveiling additions to the already announced ensemble cast. Poornima Ravi, Vidhu and Kaaka Muttai-fame J Vignesh have joined Priyanka Mohan, Kayadu Lohar and Kathir in the film.

Manjanathi is particularly noteworthy for bringing Mari Selvaraj back together with Kathir. The actor headlined the filmmaker’s acclaimed debut Pariyerum Perumal in 2018, a film that established Mari as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Tamil cinema. The two are now set to reunite several years after their first collaboration.

Poornima Ravi, meanwhile, shares screen space with Kathir again following their appearance together in the JioHotstar crime drama Lingam. With a cast that brings together established performers and newer faces, Manjanathi has already generated curiosity around the world Mari Selvaraj is creating this time.

A new chapter in Mari Selvaraj’s filmmaking journey

Since making his debut with Pariyerum Perumal, Mari Selvaraj has built a filmography that frequently explores caste, social inequality, identity and marginalisation through emotionally charged narratives. His subsequent films, including Karnan, Maamannan and Vaazhai, have further established his ability to combine socially rooted storytelling with accessible cinematic narratives.

Manjanathi now adds another intriguing element to his body of work through his association with Ilaiyaraaja. The legendary composer has scored music for some of the most influential films in Tamil cinema over several decades, making his collaboration with Mari Selvaraj one of the film’s biggest talking points.

The technical crew features several familiar names from the Tamil film industry. Ezhil Arasu K has been brought on board as the cinematographer, while Selva RK is handling the editing. Ramu Thangaraj serves as the art director, with Dhilip Subbarayan choreographing the action sequences.

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Manjanathi also expands Mari Selvaraj’s production slate

The film is being produced by Mari Selvaraj and his wife, Divya Mari Selvaraj, under their Navvi Studios banner. Sushant Prasad is co-producing the project through Skanda Pictures, with Fortune also backing the film.

While details about the plot and the characters played by the ensemble cast are currently being kept under wraps, the reunion between Mari Selvaraj and Kathir is likely to remain one of the film’s key attractions. Their previous collaboration, Pariyerum Perumal, was both critically acclaimed and influential, making their return particularly significant.

Manjanathi is not the only project keeping Mari Selvaraj busy behind the scenes. The filmmaker is also producing Maakali, which stars Ameer and marks the directorial debut of SB Aravinth, one of his former assistant directors. With Manjanathi now entering production, Mari continues to expand his creative footprint both as a director and producer.

As filming gets underway, the combination of Mari Selvaraj’s distinctive storytelling, Ilaiyaraaja’s music and a promising ensemble cast makes Manjanathi one of the more anticipated Tamil films currently in production.

Also Read: Mari Selvaraj Confirms AR Rahman for Dhanush’s D56

The upcoming teaser for Ranabaali, dropping on September 9, promises a dramatic historical epic under the tagline, “The legend of the cursed land rises.” Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film stars Vijay Deverakonda as a “rebellious chieftain” inhabiting a domain steeped in “buried history”. Set against the backdrop of British India between 1876 and 1878, the narrative draws from Indian “folklore”. A “brute face-off” from the folklore of India is what the film promises.

From real life to reel life

The period action-drama Ranabaali, also starring Rashmika Mandanna, will release worldwide on October 16. The hero-heroine duo, who got married earlier this year, have previously worked together in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. Their chemistry in the film, their first release after marriage, is expected to be a winner.

The Kingdom actor plays the formidable title character, alongside his wife as Jayamma, while Arnold Vosloo portrays the lead antagonist, Sir Theodore Hector. What the makers wrote on social media on Rashmika’s birthday in April gives a hint of what is to be expected from her. Opening with the poetic quote, “In a world painted in grey, she was his only color,” the BTS montage shared by the team ended with a playful moment between the newly married couple on set.

Rashmika plays a fierce partner

A glimpse of the film was released a few months ago. Rashmika, known for Animal and Chhaava in Hindi, plays the lead man’s fiercely supportive partner. Intense battle sequences, rich period aesthetics and powerful dramatic moments are to be expected. The central romance could be the icing on the cake amidst a brutal conflict against colonial oppression. Driven by an evocative score and grand visual scale, the glimpse also brought out the high emotional chemistry between the leading duo. The film features music by Ajay-Atul.

Ranabaali is coming from the director of Nani’s Shyam Singha Roy and the producers of the Pushpa duology.

Also Read: Ranabaali: Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna’s Film Gets a Release Date

Trust Diljit Dosanjh to turn an awkward moment into a masterclass in grace. The singer was performing in Milan, Italy, over the weekend when a small detail on a fan’s t-shirt caught his eye. And instead of brushing past it, he stopped everything to address it, right there on stage.

Diljit had pulled a fan and his companion up on stage, something he does often at his shows. That’s when he spotted the design on the man’s white t-shirt. It had the sacred Sikh symbol Ik Onkar printed right next to Diljit’s own name. His expression changed instantly. He raised his hand, gently covered the design, and turned serious for a second.

Then, calmly, he explained it to the fan in English. He said, “This is God… This is very special… and my name together, no, no.”

No shouting. No awkward silence. No public embarrassment for the fan either. Diljit then turned to the crowd and asked them to go easy on the man, speaking in Punjabi this time. He said, “I respect your feelings. Inhe pata nahi, maaf kar do please. But I respect you… Ek Onkar, mere walon saare ek ne.”

The fan, visibly moved, folded his hands and apologised on the spot. He later clarified online that he genuinely hadn’t realised how close his name sat next to the symbol on the design, and that he regularly visits gurdwaras himself. 

Diljit, in true Diljit fashion, didn’t let the moment end on an awkward note. He handed the fan a gift and gave him a warm hug before sending him off stage.The clip has since gone properly viral, with fans flooding comments sections calling him humble, dignified, and exactly the kind of star India needs more of.

Diljit was last seen in Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga. Up next, he has the Punjabi film Ranna Ch Dhanna lined up.

Also Read: Exclusive: “They Fear Punjab Would Come Together” – Honey Trehan on Satluj, Political Cinema & More