Rajinikanth’s 173rd film has officially been titled Dharman: The Deadly Doctor. The makers revealed the title along with the film’s first look, giving audiences a glimpse of the superstar in the role of a doctor. The film is being described as a high stakes thriller and carries the tagline, “Justice will prevail!”
The project is being presented by Kamal Haasan through Raaj Kamal Films International. It marks the first time music composer Anirudh Ravichander is working with Rajinikanth on a film presented under the banner. Ashwath Marimuthu is directing the movie, while shooting is currently underway.
The title announcement was made during a pooja ceremony held in Chennai. Speaking at the event, Kamal Haasan reflected on his long association with Rajinikanth and shared emotional thoughts about their friendship, which has spanned more than 50 years. His comments became one of the highlights of the launch event.
தர்மமே வெல்லும்!#Dharman #Thalaivar173 #SuperstarRajinikanth @rajinikanth #Mahendran @Dir_Ashwath @anirudhofficial @anbariv @RKFI @turmericmediaTM @magizhmandram pic.twitter.com/9ghF9XgboI
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 24, 2026
Director Ashwath Marimuthu also spoke about the film and shared some details about what audiences can expect. According to him, the movie will combine family emotions with action packed moments. He also revealed that the soundtrack will feature 8 songs, each offering a different style and mood.
Apart from Rajinikanth, the film features Simran as the leading lady. The cast also includes Raashi Khanna and Yogi Babu in important roles. The combination of experienced performers and popular contemporary actors has added to the interest surrounding the project.
Dharman has undergone changes during its development, including a change in directors before Ashwath Marimuthu took charge of the project. Production has now moved forward and filming is in progress.
With Rajinikanth taking on the role of a doctor in a thriller setting, the film presents a different character for the actor. The first look has already sparked discussion among fans, while the involvement of Kamal Haasan, Anirudh Ravichander, Simran, Raashi Khanna and Yogi Babu has further increased attention on the film as work continues on Rajinikanth’s 173rd movie.