Three directors. Months of speculation. One title. Rajinikanth’s 173rd film finally has a name and it is Dharman, with a first look poster that shows the superstar standing in an operation theatre, scalpel in hand, one foot on a fallen body.
Image Source: Instagram
The wait is over for Rajinikanth fans. The superstar’s 173rd film, which had been running under the working title Thalaivar173 for months, has officially been named ‘Dharman’. The title was announced on Wednesday morning by Kamal Haasan’s production house Raaj Kamal Films International, along with the confirmation that director Ashwath Marimuthu will helm the project.
Kamal Haasan took to X to share the news himself. Along with the title poster, he wrote: “Dharmame vellum! (Dharma will only win) #Dharman #Thalaivar173 #SuperstarRajinikanth.”
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The title poster made an immediate impression. It showed Rajinikanth in an operation theatre holding a scalpel, with one leg placed on the body of a slain rowdy. The image has added weight to long-running rumours that Rajinikanth will be seen playing a doctor in the film. The announcement also coincided with the film’s official pooja ceremony, marking the formal launch of the project.
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தர்மமே வெல்லும்!#Dharman #Thalaivar173 #SuperstarRajinikanth #KamalHaasan @rajinikanth @ikamalhaasan #Mahendran @Dir_Ashwath @anirudhofficial @anbariv @iYogiBabu @SimranbaggaOffc #RaashiKhanna @nikethbommi #KarthikRajkumar @PradeepERagav @kabilanchelliah @ShruthiManjari… pic.twitter.com/UWjXErKdIE
— Raaj Kamal Films International (@RKFI) June 24, 2026
Getting to this point has not been straightforward. Dharman has gone through two directors before Ashwath Marimuthu was brought on board, and each exit came as a surprise.
Sundar C was originally announced as the director. However, he stepped back citing unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, calling the project a dream come true and wishing both superstars well.
Filmmaker Cibi Chakaravarthi was then announced as director, with the makers releasing a poster with the tagline “Every Family Has A Hero.” The film was also scheduled for a Pongal 2027 release at the time. However, Cibi Chakaravarthi too moved out of the project, leaving the makers once again looking for a new director.
Rumours then pointed to Ashwath Marimuthu. Earlier, a video clip put out by RKFI wishing Ashwath Marimuthu on his birthday had strengthened speculation that he was the chosen director. On Wednesday, it was made official.
Ashwath Marimuthu is known for ‘Oh My Kadavule’ and the blockbuster ‘Dragon’.
The crew announced alongside the title is a strong one. Music will be composed by Anirudh Ravichander. This marks Anirudh’s fifth major outing with Rajinikanth. Cinematography is by Niketh Bommi and editing by Pradeep E Raghav. Stunts are being choreographed by National Award-winning duo Anbariv. The film is produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran, with S Disney as co-producer.
The title poster has given fans their first real visual clue about the story. Rajinikanth in scrubs, holding a scalpel, standing over a body in what appears to be a hospital setting, strongly suggests a doctor’s role. That lines up with reports that have been circulating for weeks.
Reports suggest that filmmaker and actor Mysskin will be part of the cast. There is also speculation about a cameo by director Shankar, and rumours that Malayalam actor Basil Joseph might play Rajinikanth’s on-screen son. None of these have been officially confirmed yet.
The film is significant not just for Rajinikanth fans. It represents a coming together of two of Tamil cinema’s biggest names in a producer-star dynamic. The project marks a major collaboration between Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth after a long gap.
Separately, RKFI is also planning another project with Rajinikanth to be helmed by Nelson, tentatively dubbed the KHxRK Reunion, where the two legends will share the screen. That film, however, is a different project from Dharman.
Dharman, with its title now out and its camera about to roll, is already one of the most closely watched Tamil films in production.
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