Actor Rajinikanth’s 173rd film was officially announced at an event in Chennai. Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, the film has been titled ‘Tharman’ and will be directed by Ashwath Marimuthu.
The film features Simran and Raashii Khanna in key roles, with music by Anirudh. Speaking at the launch, Rajinikanth remarked that whenever he speaks it becomes a “problem”, adding that staying silent also invites comments, and that people who dislike someone will not be pleased no matter what they do.
Rajinikanth also revealed that Ashwath is the fourth director attached to the project. He said the film was earlier set to be directed by Ravikumar, then Sundar C, and later Cibi Chakravarthy. He added that a story narrated by Cibi appealed to him, but it was a sensitive subject involving a nuclear scientist and was therefore postponed.
On working with Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth said Kamal asked him to hear the story and decide, and later entrusted him with responsibilities for the project—something he admitted made him uneasy. He also spoke about their long friendship, recalling that Kamal supported his casting in ‘Ilamai Oonjaladugirathu’ and encouraged him early in his career.
