Director Ashwath Marimuthu confirms that Dharman, Rajinikanth’s next Tamil action film, will finish shooting by October 2026. Speaking at a Galatta event, he described the superstar’s “Gen Z vibe” on set and promised a very likeable film. Marimuthu praised Rajinikanth’s humility and respect for the craft, while also hinting at his next project with Silambarasan TR, planned for 2027.
Director Ashwath Marimuthu has confirmed that Dharman, his Tamil action film starring Rajinikanth, will complete its shoot by October 2026. Speaking at a an event organised by Galatta, Marimuthu spoke about the schedules that have been completed, what working with Rajinikanth was like and a different side of the superstar that audiences will get to see in this film.
"The Dharman shoot will be over in October 2026," the director said. "Two schedules have been completed. Rajinikanth sir is in a Gen-Z vibe, and the film will be a very likeable one. We are having quite some fun."
Speaking about working with the star, the director explained that while he has enjoyed working with peers like Ashok Selvan and Pradeep Ranganathan, he has found none sweeter than the superstar himself. "My previous heroes, Ashok (Selvan) and Pradeep (Ranganathan), are young and my friends, but I've never seen a sweeter person like Rajini sir. Just like Nelson said, he's a fantabulous human being."
He also opened up about Rajinikanth's conduct on set, noting that the actor stands up whenever the director approaches him. When Marimuthu asked him why, Rajinikanth said it was out of respect for the craft and the director. "Also, he stands up whenever I go near him. I asked him why, and he said, 'It is out of respect for the craft and the director.'"
At the same event, Marimuthu also confirmed that his next project after Dharman, a collaboration with Silambarasan TR tentatively titled STR51, is expected to go on floors in February 2027 after Silambarasan completes Arasan.
Dharman, previously referred to as Thalaiavar 173, is Rajinikanth's next film. Directed by Ashwin Marimuthu, the film is being produced by Kamal Haasan under his production banner Raaj Kamal Films. The film is co-produced by R Mahendran of Turmeric Media. Apart from Ashwath, the core team includes Anirudh Ravichander's music and Anbariv as action choreographers. Niketh Bommi is the cinematographer and Pradeep E Ragav is the editor. MR Karthik Rajkumar is the film’s production designer.
Dharman marks Ashwath Marimuthu's first collaboration with Rajinikanth. Marimuthu previously directed Oh My Kadavule (2020), Ori Devuda (2022), the Telugu-language remake of Oh My Kadavule, as well as Dragon (2024), which starred Pradeep Ranganathan.
Rajinikanth's most immediate upcoming release is the highly-anticipated Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures.
The sequel to Nelson Dilipkumar's 2023 blockbuster film Jailer, the core cast from the first film returns, including Shivarajkumar, Ramya Krishnan, Mirnaa, Vinayakan, and Yogi Babu. New cast members include Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Jatin Sarna and Mithun Chakraborty. Members of the core technical team return for the sequel, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Vijay Kartik Kannan and editing by R. Nirmal. Jailer 2 is set to release in theatres on October 15, 2026.