Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 173 Titled 'Dharman – The Deadly Doctor', Kamal Haasan-Backed Film Begins Shooting

Superstar Rajinikanth's 173rd film now has a name. On Wednesday, June 24, Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) officially titled the long-awaited project Dharman – The Deadly Doctor , ending weeks of speculation. The announcement was made via social media at 10:16 AM, alongside the Tamil phrase "தர்மமே வெல்லும்!" meaning "Dharma will prevail." Regular shoot began the same day in Chennai.

What makes Dharman extraordinary is the force behind it. Kamal Haasan , one of Indian cinema's greatest actors, is backing the film as presenter and co-producer under his prestigious banner RKFI , alongside R. Mahendran . The two legends are not sharing screen space, but their creative alliance alone has set the internet on fire.

Director Ashwath Marimuthu , known for Oh My Kadavule and Dragon , confirmed the film is a medical thriller built around a character named Dr Swag . The shoot kicks off with Rajinikanth's introduction song , one of eight tracks planned for the film. Marimuthu also revealed that Rajinikanth offered to function like an assistant director on set, promising creative input while leaving all final calls to the director.

Rajinikanth opened up about the rocky road to production. Discussions with KS Ravikumar did not work out, Sundar C had prior commitments, and a nuclear science script by Cibi Chakravarthy was eventually dropped over content sensitivities. Ashwath Marimuthu is the fourth director considered for the project, and he arrives with the full weight of both superstars behind him.

The first look poster is a statement in itself. Rajinikanth stands inside a hospital operation theatre in a blue surgeon's outfit and his trademark dark sunglasses, a surgical knife in hand, one foot pinning a defeated adversary to the floor. The tagline says it all: The Deadly Doctor .

Simran plays the female lead and carries a far bigger role than in her earlier outings with either star. Raashi Khanna is also confirmed as a female lead. Composer Anirudh Ravichander handles the music, with Kamal Haasan describing him as a global name whose compositions now play at international football and cricket events. The technical crew includes cinematographer Niketh Bommi , editor Pradeep E Ragav , production designer M. R. Karthik Rajkumar , costume designer Shruthi Manjari , and co-producer S Disney , with action choreography by the acclaimed duo Anbariv and comedian Yogi Babu in the cast.

The first schedule is being filmed on a massive set erected in Chennai's Poonamallee . Filmmaker and actor Mysskin is reported to be part of the ensemble, director Shankar is expected in a significant cameo, and Malayalam actor Basil Joseph is rumoured to play Rajinikanth's on-screen son.