Recent whispers in the industry suggested that Dhanush’s Ilaiyaraaja Biopic had been shelved due to Dhanush’s packed schedule, including his commitments to Idly Kadai and Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein.
With Dhanush portraying the musical genius, fans can expect a powerful performance. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Speculation has been swirling around one of the most anticipated projects in the South film industry – Dhanush’s biopic on the legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja. Ever since the film was officially announced in 2024, fans have been eagerly waiting for updates. Recent whispers in the industry suggested that the project had been shelved due to Dhanush’s packed schedule, including his commitments to Idly Kadai and Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein. But now, a new report has put those rumours to rest. According to exclusive industry sources, the film is very much on track, with a major development taking place behind the scenes.
A prominent Tamil production house has stepped in to co-produce the film alongside Connekkt Media. “Well-known producers AGS Entertainment have partnered with Connekkt Media to produce the Ilaiyaraaja biopic. And the script of the film is ready and the movie is in the pre-production stage,” an insider revealed to Hindustan Times.
While the sources remained tight-lipped about the exact timeline for filming, it’s expected that production will commence once Dhanush wraps up his ongoing projects.
Previously, the actor took to X to announce the news while unveiling the first-look poster of the film. The poster was officially launched at a special event in Chennai, graced by the presence of Kamal Haasan, Vetri Maaran, Gangai Amaren and Bharathiraja. Titled Ilaiyaraaja, the biopic will be helmed by director Arun Matheswaran, with cinematography handled by Nirav Shah. Adding to the excitement, it has also been confirmed that the legendary Ilaiyaraaja himself will be composing the film’s music.
The poster features a young Dhanush, carrying a bag on his shoulder, exuding a determined spirit as he embarks on his journey. The backdrop evokes the charm of old Chennai, formerly known as Madras, capturing the essence of a bygone era. Sharing the poster, Dhanush expressed his gratitude and excitement, calling it an honour to step into the role of the music maestro.
Check out the poster below:
Honoured @ilaiyaraaja sir
The excitement surrounding the Ilaiyaraaja biopic is immense. A cinematic tribute to the maestro, whose career has spanned decades and influenced countless musicians, is bound to impress audiences. With Dhanush portraying the musical genius, fans can expect a powerful performance that does justice to Ilaiyaraaja’s legacy.
AGS Entertainment is currently one of the most successful production houses in Tamil cinema. In 2024, they delivered a massive blockbuster with The GOAT, starring Thalapathy Vijay and directed by Venkat Prabhu. The film raked in over Rs 450 crore globally, solidifying AGS’ position as a powerhouse in the industry.
Apart from the Ilaiyaraaja biopic, the production house is gearing up for its Hindi venture Loveyapa, slated for release on February 7. A remake of the 2022 hit Love Today, the film stars Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor. Additionally, AGS is backing Dragon, a film directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and starring Pradeep Ranganathan.
