Rashmika Mandanna to Play Legendary Carnatic Vocalist MS Subbulakshmi in Grand Biopic

A grand biopic on legendary Carnatic vocalist and Bharat Ratna awardee M.S. Subbulakshmi has been officially announced, with pan-India star Rashmika Mandanna cast in the lead role. The project was unveiled at a special event held at The Music Academy in Chennai, timed to mark Subbulakshmi’s 110th birth anniversary.

The Announcement

The biopic launch event was held on September 16 as part of celebrations marking 110 years since Subbulakshmi’s birth. Actor, producer and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan attended as chief guest, lending significant weight to the occasion. The film is being backed by a heavyweight production combine: Allu Aravind’s Geetha Arts, Rockline Venkatesh’s Rockline Entertainment, and Bunny Vas Works. Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for directing the acclaimed sports drama “Jersey,” has been signed on to helm the project. Composer Anirudh Ravichander will score the music.

The project had been the subject of speculation for months before the official announcement, with unconfirmed reports suggesting several actresses were considered for the role before Mandanna was finalised.

Why Rashmika Mandanna

Mandanna’s casting as Subbulakshmi marks a significant departure for the actress, known primarily for commercial entertainers across Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada cinema. Since her 2016 debut in the Kannada film “Kirik Party,” she has built a reputation as one of India’s most bankable stars, and more recently drew critical acclaim for her performance in “The Girlfriend” (2025) as a woman trapped in a toxic relationship. Taking on the role of one of India’s most revered classical musicians represents a marked shift toward prestige, legacy-driven filmmaking for the actress, who was also featured in Forbes India’s 2024 “30 Under 30” list.

Who Was M.S. Subbulakshmi

Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi remains one of the most iconic figures in Indian classical music, celebrated for her unparalleled voice and her contributions to Carnatic and devotional music across a career spanning decades. She gave her first public performance at age eleven in 1927 at the Rockfort Temple in Tiruchirappalli, and went on to become the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. She also had a brief but notable film career, making her acting debut in the 1938 Tamil film “Sevasadanam.” Subbulakshmi passed away in 2004 at the age of 88.

What to Expect

The makers have indicated the film will be mounted on a grand scale, with an emphasis on top production values and high technical quality befitting Subbulakshmi’s stature as a cultural icon. Given the involvement of Geetha Arts and Rockline Entertainment — both known for backing large-scale pan-India productions — expectations are high for the film’s scale and reach. No release date, title, or first-look details have been revealed yet, though the makers are expected to unveil the title and Mandanna’s first look from the film in the near future.

Why It Matters

Biopics on classical musicians are rare in Indian cinema, and one centred on a figure as revered as Subbulakshmi carries considerable cultural weight. Pairing that subject matter with a contemporary pan-India star like Mandanna signals an attempt to bring the story of Carnatic music’s most celebrated voice to a much wider, younger audience than a traditional biographical drama might otherwise reach.

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