Nayanthara Reportedly Joins Rajinikanth's Dharman; Makers Have Not Confirmed

Pinkvilla reported on 17 October 2026 that the actor Nayanthara has agreed to play an important role in Dharman, the Tamil action film starring Rajinikanth. The report cites Valai Pechu as its source and says the part is expected to feature in several scenes.

The film was previously titled Thalaivar 173, and Ashwath Marimuthu is directing it. The makers have not issued an official update on the casting. The details below should therefore be read as reported rather than announced.

What the Report Says About the Casting

According to the report, According to the report, Nayanthara would be the latest female actor to join the project, after Simran and Raashii Khanna. Pinkvilla also says Sreeleela is said to be in the cast.

Pinkvilla describes Nayanthara's part as an important character, possibly with several scenes, and says she reportedly agreed to it. The same report says Marimuthu is reportedly planning plenty of entertaining elements, particularly comedy, and calls the film an action entertainer. It also reports that Ram Pothineni may play the main antagonist, though the article says that has not been officially confirmed.

Variety India, in a report dated 28 August 2026, named Simran and Raashii Khanna as the female co-stars. Deccan Chronicle also describes Simran as reuniting with Rajinikanth after Petta. Nayanthara's name appears only in the October report from Pinkvilla, so her role remains a report rather than an announcement.

How the Project Reached Its Current Title

Outlook reported on 24 June 2026 that Raaj Kamal Films International had announced the title as Dharman: The Deadly Doctor, with a first-look poster and a pooja in Chennai. Deccan Chronicle reported the same day that Rajinikanth's 173rd film, Thalaivar 173, is to be titled Dharman: The Deadly Doctor, and that the official title was out. Both Outlook and Deccan Chronicle report the title as official.

Outlook describes the first-look poster as showing Rajinikanth in a powerful avatar, hinting at a character who is both a doctor and a rebel. The Tamil caption translates to a message that justice will prevail.

Outlook says Sundar C was announced as director in November 2025 and then exited, and that Cibi Chakravarthi was later chosen. A first look was announced in January 2026, and a shoot planned for April was deferred. Outlook says Ashwath Marimuthu was confirmed as director at the Chennai title launch. Deccan Chronicle quotes Rajinikanth as saying Marimuthu is the fourth director attached, after Ravikumar, Sundar C and Cibi Chakravarthy.

Cast, Crew and Production Team

Hollywood Reporter India lists Raaj Kamal Films, Kamal Haasan's banner, as the producer, with R Mahendran of Turmeric Media as co-producer. Pinkvilla names Kamal Haasan as a co-producer working under Raaj Kamal Films International. Deccan Chronicle reports Rajinikanth saying that Kamal Haasan left the creative choices to him. Deccan Chronicle also reports Rajinikanth recalling that Kamal Haasan helped him get a role in Ilamai Oonjalaadugirathu.

Hollywood Reporter India also lists Anirudh Ravichander for music, Niketh Bommi for cinematography, Pradeep E Ragav for editing, Karthik Rajkumar for production design and Anbariv for action choreography.

Variety India says Rajinikanth plays a doctor. Marimuthu told the publication that the star has a "Gen-Z vibe" in the film.

Nayanthara's name appears only in the October report from Pinkvilla, so her role remains a report rather than an announcement.

Release Window and Shooting Timeline

Pinkvilla's report says Dharman is expected to release during Pongal 2027, and that shooting is likely to wrap by November 2026. Outlook describes a Pongal release as rumoured. No release date has been announced.

Marimuthu gave a different timeline in late August. Variety India and Hollywood Reporter India both carried his statement that filming would finish in October 2026, with two schedules already complete. Neither gave a release date, and the two shoot-wrap dates conflict: November in the Pinkvilla report, October in Marimuthu's statements.

Marimuthu's next film with Silambarasan TR, tentatively titled STR51, is set to begin production in February 2027. According to Variety India, the project will follow Dharman, with Silambarasan expected to complete Arasan first. Hollywood Reporter India gives the same February 2027 start.