Mari Selvaraj-Ilaiyaraaja’s ‘Manjanathi’ launched; Kayadu Lohar, Priyanka Mohan, Kathir, and more to star

Actors Sandy Master, Vidhu and Poornima Ravi are also part of the film

Updated - September 07, 2026 04:45 pm IST

(L - R) Vidhu, Poornima Ravi, Mari Selvaraj, Kayadu Lohar, Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, Priyanka Mohan, Kathir, Rahul R, and Raghavi at the pooja ceremony of ‘Manjanathi’ | Photo Credit: @mari_selvaraj/X

Acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Mari Selvaraj’s sixth directorial, Manjanathi, went on floors today, September 7, with a pooja ceremony.

As confirmed earlier by The Hindu, Kayadu Lohar and Priyanka Mohan are headlining the project, which also features Kathir, Sandy Master, Vidhu and Poornima Ravi in pivotal roles. Notably, Rahul R, who acted in Mari’s 2024 film Vaazhai, is also part of Manjanathi, along with newcomer Raghavi.

Mari shared a new poster along with stills from the pooja ceremony on his social media handles to announce the news.

இன்று முதல் மஞ்சணத்தியின் தினங்களை தொடங்கிவைத்த எங்கள் இசைஞானிக்கு என்றைக்குமான எங்கள் நன்றியும் அன்பும்!! #Manjanathi 🌳💛#Shootbeginstoday@ilaiyaraaja@navvistudios@divyamari@SkandaPictures@Ezhil_DOP@ramu_thangaraj@Editorselva@Kathir@priyankaamohan@11Lohar… pic.twitter.com/1z8EWtO7Fi— Mari Selvaraj (@mari_selvaraj) September 7, 2026

Manjanathi also features an exciting collaboration between Mari, known for his earthy, hard-hitting storytelling, and legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, who Mari had earlier said was integral to the project. “I wrote the script completely with Ilaiyaraaja in mind. The way I have approached the subject and integrated him into the film will be new to cinema. The audience will understand why I chose Ilaiyaraaja when the film is released. It is not just about the songs; he is part and parcel of the film,” Mari said in a chat with The Hindu.

The film has Ezhil Arasu K serving as the cinematographer, while Selva RK has been assigned editing duties. Divya Mari Selvaraj, Mari Selvaraj, and Sushant Prasad produce Manjanathi under the Navvi Studios and Skanda Pictures banners.

Published - September 07, 2026 02:54 pm IST

Tamil cinema / Indian cinema

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