Director Mari Selvaraj's Manjanathi begins with ensemble cast, Ilaiyaraaja on board

Director Mari Selvaraj’s upcoming Tamil film Manjanathi has officially gone on floors on Monday. The film, which marks Selvaraj’s sixth feature and his first collaboration with veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja, stars Priyanka Mohan, Kayadu Lohar and Kathir in the lead roles.The makers also announced new additions to the cast, with actors Poornima Ravi, Vidhu and Kaaka Muttai-fame J Vignesh joining the project. The film reunites Kathir with Mari Selvaraj after their acclaimed collaboration Pariyerum Perumal (2018), the director’s debut feature.Poornima Ravi, meanwhile, reunites with Kathir after their work together in the JioHotstar crime drama, Lingam.Manjanathi is also said to have a key connection with Selvaraj’s 2023 film Vaazhai. The director has previously shared details about how the upcoming film connects with his earlier work. The technical crew includes cinematographer Ezhil Arasu K, editor Selva RK, art director Ramu Thangaraj and stunt choreographer Dhilip Subbarayan.Mari Selvaraj and his wife, Divya Mari Selvaraj, are producing Manjanathi under their Navvi Studios banner, along with Sushant Prasad, who is backing the film under his Skanda Pictures banner. The film is also being produced under the Fortune banner.Manjanathi marks Ilaiyaraaja collaboration For Mari Selvaraj, Manjanathi marks a significant musical collaboration as he teams up with Ilaiyaraaja for the first time. The veteran composer’s association with the film adds another notable element to the project, which brings together an ensemble cast and Selvaraj’s distinctive storytelling style.The film also marks another reunion between Selvaraj and Kathir. The actor played the lead in Pariyerum Perumal, which established Selvaraj as a filmmaker to watch when it released in 2018.Mari Selvaraj’s next projectsApart from Manjanathi, Mari Selvaraj is also producing Maakali, which stars Ameer and marks the directorial debut of his former assistant director SB Aravinth.With Manjanathi now officially on floors, the film brings together Selvaraj, an ensemble cast and Ilaiyaraaja for what marks a new chapter in the director’s filmography.- EndsPublished On: Sep 8, 2026 10:30 IST