Nayanthara is set to share screen space with Rajinikanth once again. The actor was announced as the latest addition to the cast of Dharman on Sunday, marking her reunion with the superstar five years after their last collaboration, Annaatthe. The upcoming action drama is directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan under his Raaj Kamal Films International banner, alongside R Mahendran.
While the makers are yet to disclose details about Nayanthara’s character, her inclusion adds another familiar face to a project that has already generated interest for its ensemble cast and the people behind the camera. The film also brings together Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan’s respective creative worlds, with the latter backing the project as a producer.
Nayanthara and Rajinikanth have shared screen space in several films over the years, making their latest collaboration a reunion for audiences familiar with their on-screen pairing.
Nayanthara and Rajinikanth’s on-screen history
The actor first collaborated with Rajinikanth in Chandramukhi (2005), the blockbuster horror comedy directed by P Vasu. They subsequently appeared together in Kuselan (2008), Darbar (2020) and Annaatthe (2021). Nayanthara also made a brief appearance in the song Balleilakka from Sivaji (2007), adding another association between the two stars to their filmographies.
Their reunion in Dharman comes after a gap of five years, with both actors continuing to maintain busy schedules across multiple projects. Nayanthara, who has worked across Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam cinema, has several films at different stages of production, while Rajinikanth continues to headline major projects.
Dharman was announced in June, with Ashwath Marimuthu confirmed as its director. The filmmaker, known for films such as Oh My Kadavule and Dragon, is stepping into a new collaboration with Rajinikanth. Production commenced subsequently, and the team has reportedly completed three shooting schedules.
Although the makers have kept the storyline largely under wraps, Dharman has been described as an action drama featuring Rajinikanth in the role of a doctor. This offers a glimpse into the character while leaving the central conflict and the film’s broader narrative undisclosed.
The supporting cast includes Simran, Raashi Khanna and Yogi Babu. Ram Pothineni has also been linked to the project in reports suggesting that he could play the antagonist, although the makers have not officially confirmed his involvement.
Anirudh reunites with Rajinikanth as Dharman progresses
The technical team brings together several familiar names from Tamil cinema. Anirudh Ravichander is composing the music, marking his seventh film featuring Rajinikanth in the lead. Their previous collaborations include Petta, Darbar, Jailer and Jailer 2, among other projects.
The crew also features cinematographer Niketh Bommi, editor Pradeep E Ragav, production designer MR Karthik Rajkumar and stunt choreographers Anbariv. With the production having completed three schedules, further updates are expected to shed light on the film’s progress and eventual release plans.
Beyond Dharman, Nayanthara is preparing for the release of Mookuthi Amman 2, directed by Sundar C. The sequel to the 2020 devotional comedy is scheduled to arrive in theatres on November 6, coinciding with Deepavali.
Meanwhile, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are also preparing for another major collaboration, this time as co-stars. The two veterans are set to reunite on screen in an upcoming untitled film directed by Nelson, marking their first such pairing since Ninaithale Inikkum (1979). Anirudh is composing the music for the project as well, bringing together the composer and director behind Rajinikanth’s Jailer franchise.
With Dharman bringing Nayanthara back alongside Rajinikanth and another Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan collaboration on the horizon, the coming months promise to be significant for Tamil cinema’s leading stars.
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