Only the biggest superstar in Indian cinema could have a film go through four directors and still have the entire country buzzing with anticipation. At the official launch event of his newly titled film Dharman, Rajinikanth himself pulled back the curtain on one of Tamil cinema’s most eventful behind-the-scenes stories — and it’s every bit as dramatic as you’d expect from Thalaivar.
Table of Contents
Dharman (Thalaivar173) — Everything You Need to Know
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| 🎬 Film Title | Dharman (formerly Thalaivar173) |
| 🎥 Director | Ashwath Marimuthu |
| 🌟 Lead Star | Rajinikanth |
| 👥 Cast | Simran Bagga, Raashii Khanna, Yogi Babu |
| 🎵 Music | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 🩺 Character | Rajinikanth as a stylish doctor |
| 🎭 Genre | Family Entertainer with Thriller Elements |
| 🔢 Director No. | Ashwath is the 4th director on this project |
Four Directors, One Superstar — The Full Story
Speaking at the Dharman launch event, Rajinikanth revealed that Ashwath Marimuthu is the fourth director for the film. The project was first finalized with KS Ravikumar, but it didn’t work out. Then Sundar C came on board, but stepped away due to another commitment, causing further delays.
That’s already a remarkable behind-the-scenes revelation — but the most intriguing chapter involves director Cibi Chakravarthi. Rajinikanth explained that Cibi came in with a completely different story — one about a nuclear scientist and nuclear technology, with shoots planned in Afghanistan and Russia. It was a good subject, but it required extensive planning and time, so they decided to keep that project for later. That’s when Ashwath Marimuthu entered the picture.
A Rajinikanth film set in Afghanistan and Russia centered on nuclear science? That version of Thalaivar173 sounds like an entirely different beast — and the fact that it’s been shelved for “later” has fans already dreaming about what that could eventually become.
Rajinikanth, one of the highest-paid and most celebrated actors in Indian cinema history, has a rare ability to make even the behind-the-scenes drama of his projects feel like events of national importance. That quality is very much on display here.
What to Expect From Dharman
Now firmly in Ashwath Marimuthu’s hands, Dharman is shaping up to be a crowd-pleasing entertainer. Rajinikanth is set to play a stylish doctor — a new avatar for the superstar — in what’s being described as a family entertainer laced with thriller elements. With Anirudh Ravichander on music duties and a cast that includes Simran Bagga, Raashii Khanna, and fan-favourite Yogi Babu, the foundations look strong.
What’s Next for Rajinikanth Beyond Dharman
Rajinikanth is next set to hit screens with Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, which is expected to feature Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, SJ Suryah, and Suraj Venjaramoodu in key roles, with Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar reprising their cameos from the first film. The film was initially targeted for September 2026 but may shift to the Diwali season.
Beyond that, the superstar also has the tentatively titled KHxRK Reunion in the pipeline — a project that is expected to reunite him with Kamal Haasan. Thalaivar’s calendar, it’s safe to say, is absolutely packed.
For all the latest updates on South Indian cinema and Rajinikanth’s upcoming projects, visit Technosports.
FAQs
Q: Who is directing Rajinikanth’s Dharman and who were the previous directors?
Ashwath Marimuthu is the fourth and current director of Dharman, after KS Ravikumar, Sundar C, and Cibi Chakravarthi were each previously attached to the project at different stages.
Q: What role does Rajinikanth play in Dharman and who are the other cast members?
Rajinikanth plays a stylish doctor in this family entertainer, starring alongside Simran Bagga, Raashii Khanna, and Yogi Babu, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
