Director Mari Selvaraj is geared up for his next film, Manjanathi, which has officially gone on floors. The filmmaker announced the commencement of shooting on September 7 with a traditional pooja ceremony, marking the beginning of another anticipated film in his career.
Following the release of Bison Kaalamaadan, Mari Selvaraj is now venturing into a new story with Manjanathi. The film has already created chatter among fans with its intriguing title and the collaboration of the director with legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja. With production now underway, more details about the film’s cast, music and story have created curiosity around the film. Here are the details
Manjanathi Cast
Manjanathi brings together Kathir, and in key roles. The film also features Poornima Ravi, Vidhu and J Vignesh, known for his performance in Kaaka Muttai.
The film marks another collaboration between Mari Selvaraj and Kathir, who previously worked together on Pariyerum Perumal. Released in 2018, the film marked Mari Selvaraj’s directorial debut and earned critical acclaim. Poornima Ravi will also reunite with Kathir following their appearance together in the crime web series Lingam.
Manjanathi Story
Mari Selvaraj has revealed that Manjanathi is centred on women, focusing on their emotions, feelings and aspirations rather than following a single female protagonist. The story features three women portrayed by three different actors. In an interview with The Hindu he said the plot begins in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, where the name Manjanathi is commonly used. However, he has approached the subject differently, promising an unexpected experience for audiences.
The title Manjanathi was originally picked from a series published in the Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan.
Manjanathi Music Director
One of the biggest highlights of Manjanathi is that it marks Mari Selvaraj’s first collaboration with veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja. In an interview, the filmmaker revealed that the legendary composer’s involvement goes more than just creating the film’s music. Mari Selvaraj has said that, audiences will understand why he chose Ilaiyaraaja when the film will release.
Manjanathi Technical Crew
The technical team of Manjanathi includes several experienced members of the Tamil film industry. Ezhil Arasu K has been brought on board as the cinematographer, while Selva RK will handle the editing. Ramu Thangaraj is serving as the art director, with Dhilip Subbarayan overseeing the stunt choreography. The film is likely to hit screens in December 2026, or January 2027, official details have not been revealed yet.