Dhanush to play lead in Ilaiyaraaja biopic

Reports of a biographical film chronicling the life of the iconic music composer Ilaiyaraaja have been circulating for several months, and it appears that the project is set to move forward with production soon.

According to a recent report from Valai Pechu, production on Ilaiyaraaja's biopic is scheduled to commence on March 20, 2024, with acclaimed actor Dhanush in the lead role and Arun Matheswaran helming the directorial duties.

The film's production is slated to begin at the prestigious Leela Palace in Chennai, marking a significant milestone in the journey of bringing Ilaiyaraaja's remarkable life to the silver screen. Speculation about Dhanush portraying the legendary composer has been rife online, adding to the anticipation surrounding the project.

Furthermore, this collaboration between Dhanush and Arun Matheswaran marks a notable departure from their previous work together, particularly their successful action film Captain Miller, which is part of a trilogy they have envisioned. Arun, primarily known for his prowess in the action genre with films like Rocky and Captain Miller, ventures into new territory with the biopic of Ilaiyaraaja.

On the professional front, Dhanush recently garnered acclaim for his performance in Captain Miller, a period drama set during the British Raj era. Despite facing competition at the box office during the Pongal season, the film received favourable reviews and emerged as a commercial success.

Currently, Dhanush is collaborating with director Sekhar Kammula on the film Kubera, where he shares the screen with Nagarjuna Akkineni and Rashmika Mandanna. Additionally, Dhanush is gearing up for the release of two directorial ventures this year: Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (NEEK), a romantic comedy featuring an ensemble cast, and Raayan, an action-packed thriller boasting a stellar line-up of actors, including Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, and SJ Suryah, among others.