Rashmika Mandanna to play M S Subbulakshmi; Anirudh scores music for biopic
Synopsis
One of Indian cinema's most buzzed-about biopics just became official: Rashmika Mandanna will play Bharat Ratna legend M S Subbulakshmi, with Anirudh Ravichander on music and Kamal Haasan as chief guest at the launch — all announced on the singer's 110th birth anniversary. The cultural stakes could not be higher.
Key Takeaways
Rashmika Mandanna is officially confirmed to play M S Subbulakshmi in the biopic titled MS – A Legacy On Screen .
Anirudh Ravichander will compose the film's music; Gowtam Tinnanuri will direct.
The film is being produced by Geetha Arts , Rockline Entertainment , and Bunny Vas Works .
The official launch takes place at the Music Academy, Chennai on 15 September 2026 — the singer's 110th birth anniversary .
Actor and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan is the chief guest at the launch event, scheduled for 6 pm .
M S Subbulakshmi was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna and the first Indian to perform at the UN General Assembly in 1966 .
Actress Rashmika Mandanna will portray legendary Carnatic vocalist and Bharat Ratna awardee M S Subbulakshmi in a much-anticipated biopic, officially confirmed by production house Geetha Arts on 15 September 2026 — the singer's 110th birth anniversary. The film, titled MS – A Legacy On Screen, is set to be launched at the Music Academy in Chennai at 6 pm on Wednesday, with actor, producer and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan serving as chief guest.
Anirudh Ravichander to Compose the Score
Geetha Arts officially confirmed that celebrated music director Anirudh Ravichander will score the music for the film. The announcement adds another high-profile name to an already star-studded project. Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for his deft handling of emotionally layered narratives, has been signed on to direct the biopic.
The film will be jointly produced by Geetha Arts, Rockline Entertainment, and Bunny Vas Works, bringing together some of the film industry's most established banners for what is being positioned as a landmark cultural production.
The Official Announcement
Geetha Arts took to its social media timelines to make the announcement, writing: 'A LEGACY begins with an unforgettable celebration. Witness the grand launch of #MS – A Legacy On Screen, celebrating Bharat Ratna #MSSubbulakshmi Amma's 110th Birth Anniversary with Ulaganayagan @ikamalhaasan garu as the Chief Guest. Starring: @rashmika_mandanna. Directed by: @gowtamnaidu. Music by: @anirudhofficial.'
The formal launch at the Music Academy in Chennai adds symbolic weight — the venue has long been associated with the celebration and preservation of Carnatic music, the tradition that M S Subbulakshmi embodied.
Who Was M S Subbulakshmi
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, widely known as M S Subbulakshmi, is regarded as one of the most iconic figures in the history of Indian classical music. She was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, and the first Indian to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. Beyond her classical repertoire, she was also known for her contributions to devotional music and appeared in several films during her career.
Notably, the project had generated significant speculation for months, with unconfirmed reports suggesting multiple actresses were considered before Rashmika Mandanna was finalised for the role.
What to Watch Next
The formal launch event on Wednesday is expected to reveal further details about the film's production timeline, casting, and release plans. Given the cultural significance of M S Subbulakshmi's legacy and the star power assembled for the biopic, MS – A Legacy On Screen is already one of the most closely watched upcoming Indian film projects across language audiences.
Point of View
Qualities quite different from Mandanna's established screen persona. Pairing her with Anirudh Ravichander, whose strength lies in contemporary chart-friendly compositions, raises genuine questions about how the film will handle Subbulakshmi's Carnatic legacy without diluting it for mass appeal. The real measure of this project will be whether it honours the substance of a Bharat Ratna's life or uses her name as a prestige frame for conventional biographical filmmaking.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is playing M S Subbulakshmi in the biopic?
Actress Rashmika Mandanna has been officially confirmed to play the role of legendary Carnatic vocalist and Bharat Ratna awardee M S Subbulakshmi in the biopic titled MS – A Legacy On Screen. The confirmation was made by production house Geetha Arts on 15 September 2026.
Who is directing and composing music for the MS Subbulakshmi biopic?
Gowtam Tinnanuri is directing the film, and Anirudh Ravichander will compose the music. The film is jointly produced by Geetha Arts, Rockline Entertainment, and Bunny Vas Works.
When and where is the MS biopic being officially launched?
The film is being launched at the Music Academy in Chennai on 15 September 2026, coinciding with M S Subbulakshmi's 110th birth anniversary. The event is scheduled for 6 pm, with Kamal Haasan as chief guest.
Who was M S Subbulakshmi?
M S Subbulakshmi, full name Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, was an iconic Indian Carnatic vocalist and devotional music legend. She was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna and the first Indian to perform at the United Nations General Assembly, in 1966.
Which production houses are making the MS Subbulakshmi biopic?
The film is being produced jointly by Geetha Arts, Rockline Entertainment, and Bunny Vas Works, bringing together three prominent film production banners for the project.
