Mari Selvaraj-Ilaiyaraaja’s ‘Manjanathi’ launched; Kayadu Lohar, Priyanka Mohan, Kathir to star
Acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Mari Selvaraj’s sixth directorial Manjanathi went on floors on Sunday, September 7, with a pooja ceremony in Theni.
The film, one of the most anticipated collaborations of the year, brings together Mari and Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the first time. Ilaiyaraaja himself clapped the first shot to inaugurate the shoot.
Kayadu Lohar and Priyanka Mohan are headlining the female-centric project, which also features Kathir — reuniting with Mari after his debut Pariyerum Perumal (2018) — along with Sandy Master, Vidhu, Poornima Ravi, Kaaka Muttai fame J Vignesh, Rahul R (Vaazhai), and newcomer Raghavi.
Mari shared stills from the ceremony on X, thanking Isaignani for launching the film’s days.”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. It is not just about the songs; he is part and parcel of the film,” Mari said earlier.
The director described Manjanathi not as a female-centric film alone but as one “centred around female emotions and perspectives, and the lives of four women, particularly from southern Tamil Nadu.”On the casting buzz around Kayadu and Priyanka in a raw Mari Selvaraj world, he said, “There are reasons for everything. The film itself will answer why these choices were made and why these actors are part of such a raw story. And it will be convincing.”
Manjanathi has cinematography by Ezhil Arasu K, editing by Selva RK, art by Ramu Thangaraj, and stunts by Dhilip Subbarayan. It is produced by Divya Mari Selvaraj, Mari Selvaraj and Sushant Prasad under Navvi Studios and Skanda Pictures.
