Following the success of Bison, director Mari Selvaraj officially announced a new film with Dhanush a few months ago. However, the project has not yet entered production. Amid the delay, Mari Selvaraj has moved ahead with a medium-budget film titled Manjanathi, which was recently announced officially.
According to reports, the planned film with Dhanush is a large-scale historical project expected to require at least a year of production. Dhanush is currently occupied with the D55 project directed by Rajkumar Periyasamy. He is also reportedly preparing for a commercial entertainer with Tamizharasan Pachamuthu.
As Dhanush remains committed to these projects, Mari Selvaraj has decided to direct Manjanathi under his own banner. The move allows the filmmaker to continue working while waiting for the larger project to begin. The film is being positioned as a quicker production in comparison.
The makers unveiled the project through an announcement video released today. The video confirmed that Ilaiyaraaja is composing the film’s music. Reports also suggest that Priyanka Mohan and Kayadu Lohar will play the lead roles in the upcoming drama.
The reported casting has sparked discussion across social media platforms. Since Manjanathi is said to be a rural drama with strong emotional elements, some viewers feel the film may be an unusual choice for both actresses. The casting decision has generated mixed reactions online.
Priyanka Mohan, in particular, has often faced criticism and trolling from sections of social media users. Many memes have focused on her expressions and performances in previous films. Because of this, some people believe Mari Selvaraj has taken a risk with the casting.
At the same time, several fans see the project as an important opportunity for Priyanka Mohan. They believe a strong performance in Manjanathi could change public perception. If she delivers convincingly, the film could help her silence many critics.
Reports further suggest that Priyanka Mohan is also playing a female lead in Simbu’s Arasan, directed by Vetrimaaran. With two rooted and performance-oriented films reportedly in her lineup, she appears to be taking a different career path. Strong performances could further strengthen her position in Kollywood.
For now, attention remains focused on how Manjanathi develops under Mari Selvaraj’s direction. The film has already attracted interest because of its casting and creative team. Its success or failure could play a key role in maintaining the director’s recent winning streak.
