Mani Ratnam announces a new movie starring Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi; AR Rahman, not Sai Abhyankkar, is the composer.

Following the setback of his Kamal Haasan-starring film Thug Life last year, director Mani Ratnam has revealed his next project. Madras Talkies, his production company, revealed on Thursday that Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi will star in his upcoming movie. There are rumors that Sai Abhyankkar will be involved, and AR Rahman will write the music. Madras Talkies, Lyca Productions, Sethupathi, and Pallavi collaborated on an Instagram post on Thursday.

They wrote, “Delighted to welcome @sonymusic_south as the Audio Partner for #MadrasTalkiesProduction23. #Subaskaran presents. A #ManiRatnam Film. An @arrahman Musical. Produced by @lycaproductions @madrastalkies #IndiaTalkies. Starring @actorvijaysethupathi @saipallavi.senthamarai.”

Rahman is confirmed to be joining hands with Mani, despite this week’s rumours that Abhyankkar is on board. Reacting to the news, one fan commented, “Happppaaaaa ARR musical.” Another commented, “We believe we’re gonna get something really beautiful really peaceful really soothing.” One Instagram user even wrote, “Finally… Full stop to all the rumors!!” while another commented, “Another soulful album loading.”

Some were disappointed it was not Abhyankkar composing the music, with a fan commenting, “Appada ARR, nan kooda sai nu nenachu bayanthuten (Oh ARR, I also thought Sai would be composing.” Another thought that the music composer was “robbed”. Most, however, seemed happy about the lineup.

With Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, and Abhirami in the major parts, Thug Life was a much awaited movie. Many, however, were deeply let down by the movie’s failure to capture the enchantment of Nayakan (1987). It narrates the tale of Rangaraaya Sakthivel, a notorious mafia boss from Delhi who, after being deceived by his brother Rangaraaya Manickam and his adopted son Amaran, seeks atonement. With a budget of ₹200–300 crore, it brought in less than ₹100 crore globally.

Sethupathi began this year with the silent film Gandhi Talks and starred in Ace and Thalaivan Thalaivii in 2025. In addition to the Mani Ratnam movie, the actor is scheduled for Jailer 2, Train, Slum Dog: 33 Temple Road, and Arasan. After Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018), this is his second movie with the director.

Sai has a lot of upcoming projects and most recently acted in the movie Thandel in 2025. Her Bollywood debut will be in the Hindi films Ek Din and Ramayana: Parts 1 and 2. In addition to the Mani Ratnam project, which will be her first with the director, she has another Tamil feature starring Dhanush