Nayanthara joins Rajinikanth's Dharman, reuniting the pair after Annaatthe
By Meera IyerGovernance & Policy Editor, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: DavidPogue / Pixabay
Nayanthara has joined Rajinikanth's Dharman, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu for Raaj Kamal Films International; the makers revealed her first look on October 25, 2026.
What Happened
Nayanthara has joined Rajinikanth's upcoming Tamil film Dharman, its makers announced on Sunday, October 25, 2026, with a first-look poster that shows the two stars facing each other in a dark corridor. The film is directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan's banner, Raaj Kamal Films International. It brings Rajinikanth and Nayanthara together on screen for the first time since the 2021 film Annaatthe.
Key Facts
- Film: Dharman, starring Rajinikanth.
- New cast member: Nayanthara, announced on October 25, 2026 with a first-look poster.
- Director: Ashwath Marimuthu, working with Rajinikanth for the first time.
- Producer: Raaj Kamal Films International, Kamal Haasan's production house.
- Other cast: Simran and Raashii Khanna in supporting roles, according to reports.
- Shooting: three schedules completed so far.
- Release: expected in cinemas in 2027; some reports point to Pongal 2027, but no official date has been announced.
- Last on-screen pairing of Rajinikanth and Nayanthara: Annaatthe, released in 2021.
- Rajinikanth's previous release, Jailer 2, opened worldwide on October 15, 2026; trade tracker Sacnilk estimates its worldwide gross at about Rs 710 crore.
Why It Matters
Dharman is Rajinikanth's next project after Jailer 2, which released worldwide on October 15, 2026. Trade tracker Sacnilk estimates Jailer 2's worldwide gross at about Rs 710 crore, including about Rs 467 crore from India and about Rs 244 crore from overseas markets. There is no official tracking of box office figures in India, so these numbers are estimates, but they show the scale of audience interest that a new Rajinikanth project carries into its making.
Adding Nayanthara raises the profile of Dharman further. She and Rajinikanth last appeared together in Annaatthe in 2021, and the new film is their first on-screen reunion in about five years. The involvement of Raaj Kamal Films International, the production company of Kamal Haasan, in a Rajinikanth film is also a point of interest for Tamil cinema audiences.
The choice of director is also a talking point. Ashwath Marimuthu is directing Rajinikanth for the first time. Fans will be watching to see what tone he brings to the star's screen image.
The way the casting was revealed, through a poster of the two facing each other in a dark corridor, has led fans to speculate about the nature of Nayanthara's role. The makers have not released a synopsis, so details of the story and the characters remain unknown.
The timing is also commercially important. With three schedules already shot, the film is moving steadily through production. Some reports point to a Pongal 2027 release, a festival period in Tamil Nadu. For now, though, the makers have only said the film is expected in 2027.
| Detail | Dharman |
|---|---|
| Lead | Rajinikanth |
| Previous Rajinikanth release | Jailer 2, October 15, 2026 |
| Joined | Nayanthara (announced October 25, 2026) |
| Director | Ashwath Marimuthu |
| Producer | Raaj Kamal Films International |
| Release | Expected 2027; date not announced |
Impact
Short-term: The first-look poster has already drawn wide attention, and fans can expect more casting news and promotional material as shooting continues.
Long-term: If the film releases during a festival window such as Pongal, it could be one of the major Tamil releases of 2027. The project also deepens the ties between Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan's production company.
Who is affected: Fans of Rajinikanth and Nayanthara, cinema owners planning their 2027 schedules, other Tamil producers choosing release dates, and the film's cast and crew.
Key Takeaway
Nayanthara has joined Rajinikanth's Dharman, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu for Raaj Kamal Films International, and the film is expected in 2027, though no date has been announced.
Questions and Answers
Is Nayanthara in Rajinikanth's Dharman?
Yes. The makers announced on October 25, 2026 that Nayanthara has joined Dharman and released her first-look poster with Rajinikanth.
Who is directing Dharman?
Ashwath Marimuthu is directing the film, his first with Rajinikanth. It is produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Kamal Haasan's production company.
When will Dharman release?
The film is expected to release in cinemas in 2027. Some reports mention Pongal 2027, but the makers have not announced an official date.
What was Rajinikanth's film before Dharman?
His previous release was Jailer 2, which opened worldwide on October 15, 2026. Trade tracker Sacnilk estimates its worldwide gross at about Rs 710 crore, though there is no official tracking of box office figures in India.
When did Rajinikanth and Nayanthara last act together?
Their last film together was Annaatthe, released in 2021. Dharman is their first on-screen reunion since then.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Meera Iyer, Governance & Policy EditorCovers Governance & Policy and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Meera Iyer
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Meera Iyer is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
