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''Madharasi'' () is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by AR Murugadoss. Produced by Sri Lakshmi Movies, the film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Rukmini Vasanth, Vidyut Jammwal and Biju Menon in the lead roles, alongside Shabeer Kallarakkal, Vikranth, Prem Kumar, Sanjay and Sachana Namidass.

The film was officially announced in September 2023 under the tentative titles ''SKxARM'' and ''SK23'', as it is Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's first collaboration and the former's 23rd film as a lead actor, and the official title was announced in February 2025. Principal photography commenced in February 2024. It was shot in locations including Chennai and Pondicherry. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Sudeep Elamon and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.

''Madharasi'' is scheduled to be released on 5 September 2025.

Cast

Production

Development

In December 2020, director AR Murugadoss reportedly met Sivakarthikeyan and discussed about a potential collaboration. After no updates about the film being progressed, it was then reported that production would begin sometime in 2023, as Sivakarthikeyan had completed most of his prior commitments. In March 2023, at the audio launch of Murugadoss' production venture '' 16 August 1947'' (2023), Sivakarthikeyan hinted about his collaboration with the director, while Murugadoss then officially confirmed the project later that month. The project is funded by N. Srilakshmi Prasad under Sri Lakshmi Movies in their maiden production venture, as the company had previously distributed Telugu and Tamil films. The company made a public announcement on 25 September 2023, coinciding with Murugadoss' birthday and tentatively titled ''SKxARM'' and ''SK23,'' and the official title, ''Madharasi'', was announced on 17 February 2025, coinciding with Sivakarthikeyan's birthday.

Pre-production

The project marks Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's second collaboration, after the former's Tamil debut with ''Marina'' (2012), as Murugadoss previously worked as producer and co-writer in the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer ''Maan Karate'' (2014). But before the actor entered the industry, he hosted the audio launch for Murugadoss' directorial film '' 7 Aum Arivu'' (2011) and the director's production venture ''Engaeyum Eppothum'' at a similar event in the same year. A source from ''The Times of India'' reported that Murugadoss had written the script long ago, and it was supposedly narrated for Shah Rukh Khan, which did not materialise. It was described as a fast-paced action film with an "interesting" screenplay similar to '' Ghajini'' (2005) and would also have a surprise element in the story.

Murugadoss initially planned to direct a Hindi film which would involve extensive visual effects, and a graphics studio was reported to fund the project. However, as the Hindi film industry faced a financial crisis owing to a number of films underperforming theatrically after the COVID-19 pandemic, he rescinded those plans and instead revisited the script which was meant for Sivakarthikeyan. A muhurat puja was held at a studio in Chennai on 6 February 2024 with the presence of the film's cast and crew.

In early-February 2023, Sudeep Elamon was announced as the cinematographer. As he predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema, it marks his first film in Tamil cinema. Anirudh Ravichander would score the music, in his third film with Murugadoss after ''Kaththi'' (2014) and ''Darbar''. Editor A. Sreekar Prasad, stunt choreographers Dhilip Subbarayan and Kevin Kumar and art director Arun Venjaramoodu, were brought onboard for the technical crew. Sivakarthikeyan went through a workshop with acting coach Rajesh Balachandiran to change his body-language. Reportedly made with a budget of 200 crore, Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's remuneration are reported to be 40 crore and 50 crore respectively.

Casting

Sivakarthikeyan would sport a suave and thick beard, unlike any of the characters he had previously done before. His character was reported to be a person who suffers from a psychological disorder, where he would overcome his trauma to confront the enemies and will be seen in multiple looks. Although Mrunal Thakur was initially reported to play the female lead, Rukmini Vasanth was later cast, in her second Tamil film after ''Ace''. Speaking of her casting, Murugadoss admitted that he wanted someone who looked like a practical young woman, adding that "I saw her films, and found her personality to be closer to the kind of character that I’d written."

Initially, Mohanlal and Vidyut Jammwal were reported to play important roles in the film. While Jammwal's inclusion was confirmed, playing the antagonist, Mohanlal reportedly could not accept the offer due to scheduling conflicts. Making his return to Tamil cinema after 11 years since his last release, ''Anjaan'' (2014), Murugadoss stated that Jammwal agreed to be part of the film before even listening to the script or the story. Biju Menon was announced part of the cast, reportedly replacing Mohanlal, also marking his return to Tamil cinema after 15 years since '' Porkkalam'' (2010). Vikranth and Shabeer Kallarakkal were also confirmed to be part of the cast. Sanjay, who acted as a child artist in ''Aranmanai 4'' (2024), revealed in an interview that he would be playing the younger brother of Sivakarthikeyan's character.

Filming

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 14 February 2024 in Chennai. The second schedule commenced on 13 March in Pondicherry and continued for a few days before returning to Chennai. On 24 March, Murugadoss posted on Instagram that a sequence was filmed at the Thirumayilai railway station, also penning an emotional note as he also shot a portion for '' Ramanaa'' (2002), which starred late actor Vijayakanth, there. In early April, a portion featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Jammwal was reportedly shot, and a song sequence was also filmed at the streets of Pondy Bazaar in T. Nagar. The same month, a romantic sequence featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Rukmini was shot at the Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences. Following this, shooting was briefly paused as Sivakarthikeyan had to participate in the final schedule of '' Amaran'' (2024).

Filming resumed with the concurrent schedule in Chennai on 6 June, where the team shot few high-octane action sequences. This schedule was completed within two weeks, and filming was put on hold to allow Murugadoss' commitments to the Hindi film '' Sikandar'' (2025). On 12 July, the team resumed filming with a minor schedule in Thoothukudi and would return to Chennai for the final phase of filming. In September, it was reported that only 20 days of filming was left. A small schedule was held at Tambaram in Chennai in early November. In this schedule, a high-risk stunt sequence was filmed where Sivakarthikeyan jumped from the top of a bridge without a rope or a body double. The schedule was then completed on 23 November. In January 2025, Sivakarthikeyan said filming was 90% complete. In late January, it was reported that Murugadoss had decided to resume filming and complete the remaining portions within the following March, before continuing on ''Sikandar''. However, the final schedule began on 18 May in Sri Lanka.

Post-production

Visual effects for the film are provided by Knack Studios, Phantom FX and Beast Bells. Sreekar Prasad serves as the film's editor, and started the editing works by June 2024.

Music

The soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his third collaboration with Murugadoss after ''Kaththi'' (2014) and ''Darbar'' (2020); eighth with Sivakarthikeyan. The audio rights were acquired by Junglee Music.

Release

Theatrical

''Madharasi'' is scheduled to release on 5 September 2025. Apart from the original Tamil language, it is also scheduled to be released in dubbed versions in the Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi languages, with the latter being titled ''Dil Madharasi''.

Distribution

Prathyangira Cinemas acquired the distribution rights of the film for the United States. Phars Films bought the overseas distribution rights of the film, and 4 Seasons Creations will distribute the film in Europe.

Notes

References

External links

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{{AR Murugadoss

2020s Indian films
2020s Tamil-language films
2025 action thriller films
2025 films
Films directed by AR Murugadoss
Films scored by Anirudh Ravichander
Films shot in Chennai
Films shot in Puducherry
Films shot in Tamil Nadu
Indian action thriller films
Tamil-language action thriller films
Tamil-language Indian films
Upcoming Tamil-language films