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Telugu actor Ram Pothineni has joined the cast of Dharman, the upcoming Rajinikanth-starrer action thriller directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan. This project will mark Pothineni's first full-fledged Tamil film.
Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, the banner behind the film, confirmed Pothineni’s introduction to the cast on November 8 through a reveal video. Posted on social media, the post featuring the video read, "Raw Attitude Power Overloaded. ANDARIKI #RAPO SWAGATHAM! Energetic Star @ramsayz"
Pothineni also took to X reacting to the announcement. He gushed that the film brings him together with Rajinikanth, who made him love cinema and Haasan, who made him respect it, adding that he was “honoured” to share screen space with Rajinikanth in a Haasan production.
The actor's wrote in his post, "When 2 of India’s biggest living legends come together to make a film & you’re a part of it. One made me Love Cinema - Rajinikanth Sir. One made me Respect Cinema - Kamal Hassan Sir.
Honoured to be sharing the screen space with our One & only Superstar @rajinikanth sir in a @ikamalhaasan Sir production. Directed by the super talented director @Dir_Ashwath in a rockstar @anirudhofficial musical & Mahendran sir production."
Pothineni had already begun shooting for the film prior to the official announcement, and had earlier appeared in a now-deleted photograph posted by co-star Raashii Khanna alongside Rajinikanth. In September this year, Khanna posted a picture alongside Pothineni and Rajinikanth, fueling speculation about the actor's casting in the film. The actress, however, removed the picture from her Instagram soon after.
There had been considerable speculation around Ram Pothineni's role in the film, with several reports claiming that he would play Raashii Khanna's love interest, which would make his character Rajinikanth's son-in-law. Other reports, meanwhile, suggested that the actor could be playing the antagonist. The makers had not officially confirmed his involvement until now.
Recent additions to the cast were actor Sreeleela and Lady Superstar Nayanthara. Sreeleela was announced as part of the cast earlier this month, with a video glimpse featuring animated stills of the actor.
In late October this year, the makers had announced the addition of Nayanthara, in what is set to be her sixth collaboration with Rajinikanth. The announcement came with a silhouette of the two stars from the film's set.
After recent blockbuster and record-shattering action sequel Jailer 2, Dharman, previously referred to as Thalaiavar 173, is Rajinikanth's next film. Director Ashwin Marimuthu's first collaboration with Rajinikanth, 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 film's editor.