Maa Oori Vanta with Rajiv Kanakala-Srilaxmi : Rakhi Special

Mani Ratnam, one of Indian cinema’s legendary filmmakers with a career spanning over four decades, has delivered numerous iconic love stories that continue to resonate with audiences. His recent two-part epic Ponniyin Selvan achieved considerable success in Tamil cinema. However, his last outing, Thug Life with Kamal Haasan, failed to meet expectations at both the box office and with audiences.

Now, Mani Ratnam is gearing up for a new romantic drama, reportedly a cop-love story. The film was initially expected to go on floors this year, but delays have pushed the schedule. For the past six months, Mani Ratnam has been meticulously searching for the right cast, though nothing has been finalized yet.

Early reports suggested Dhruv, son of actor Vikram, alongside Rukmini Vasanth, as potential leads. Dhruv recently scored a hit with Bison, while Rukmini, who was last seen in Kantara Chapter 1, is currently part of some of the biggest projects in Indian cinema. However, this pairing did not materialize, and neither actor is part of the film.

Recent buzz indicates that acclaimed actors Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi are now in consideration for the lead roles. If confirmed, this would mark the first collaboration between the two talented performers, both of whom have delivered standout performances in recent years. Additionally, Natural Star Nani is reportedly under consideration for the project.

While these names are circulating, the official casting announcement is yet to come from the makers. Mani Ratnam’s romantic cop drama is slated for a 2026 release, and audiences are eagerly waiting to see who will bring his latest vision to life.