Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja will score music for Karthik Subbaraj’s 10th film, which also marks the maestro’s 1540th project. Oscar-winning Sikhya Entertainment produces the yet-untitled Tamil film.
Legendary Tamil musician Ilaiyaraaja will compose music for Karthik Subbaraj's upcoming 10th film. The Tamil filmmaker announced this news on X with a promotional video featuring the maestro beginning work on the film. "A Dream.... A Blessing... #Dream10Blessing1540," Subbaraj wrote, referring to the project that will mark his 10th film and Ilaiyaraaja's 1540th film.
The filmmaker's earlier work has depicted deep admiration for the legendary composer's music in various inventive ways. The upcoming project marks a significant crossover between two of Indian cinema’s most distinctive voices — Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain’s Sikhya Entertainment, known for championing rooted, globally resonant storytelling, and Subbaraj, one of Tamil cinema’s most inventive contemporary directors.
Sikhya Entertainment, the Oscar-winning Indian production house behind The Elephant Whisperers, will produce the Tamil film. The yet-untitled feature began filming on recently in Madurai after a traditional pooja ceremony.
Over the past decade, Sikhya has become a powerhouse of independent Indian filmmaking, producing titles such as The Lunchbox, Masaan, Pagglait and the National Award-winning Kathal. The banner’s global recognition peaked with The Elephant Whisperers, which became India’s first Oscar-winning documentary short in 2023.
Subbaraj, meanwhile, has built a reputation for blending sharp social observation with mass appeal. From the cult thriller Pizza (2012) to Jigarthanda DoubleX (2023), his filmography spans genres and moods while retaining a distinctly personal stamp.
Speaking about the collaboration, Monga Kapoor said, “At Sikhya, we’ve always believed in nurturing original voices and telling homegrown bold stories that travel across cultures. Partnering with Karthik feels like a natural extension of that mission. His cinema is rooted, inventive and wildly original, yet universal in emotion. He bridges mass appeal and auteur vision with such ease, and I’m excited to be on this journey with him.”