Mental Manadhil shoot 80% done, eyes early 2027 release: G V Prakash
Synopsis
G V Prakash Kumar says 80 per cent of Selvaraghavan's 'Mental Manadhil' is in the can, with just seven days of Chennai shoot left before an early 2027 release. It's the duo's third collaboration after 'Aayirathil Oruvan' and 'Mayakkam Enna' — and the first time G V Prakash acts in a Selvaraghavan film, raising the stakes considerably.
Key Takeaways
G V Prakash Kumar confirmed 80 per cent of 'Mental Manadhil' has been shot, with seven days of filming left in Chennai .
The film is targeting an early 2027 theatrical release.
This is the third collaboration between director Selvaraghavan and G V Prakash Kumar , following 'Aayirathil Oruvan' and 'Mayakkam Enna' .
It marks the first time G V Prakash plays the lead in a Selvaraghavan directorial.
Actress Madhuri Jain plays the female lead; the film is produced under Parallel Universe Pictures .
Cinematography is by Arun Ramakrishnan ; editing by Balaji ; art direction by R K Vijay Murugan .
Three-time National Award winner G V Prakash Kumar has revealed that 80 per cent of the shooting for director Selvaraghavan's upcoming Tamil romantic film 'Mental Manadhil' is complete, with the remaining schedule confined to seven days in Chennai. Speaking to reporters, the actor-composer confirmed the team is targeting an early 2027 theatrical release.
What G V Prakash Said About the Film
'Mental Manadhil' is shaping up to be a passion project on multiple fronts. G V Prakash described the film's tone as a blend of 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini' and the sensibility of filmmaker Imtiaz Ali — a comparison that signals a deeply emotional, music-driven romantic narrative. 'Eighty per cent of Mental Manadhil is over. I have a schedule in Chennai for the last seven days of shooting. After that, we're looking at an early 2027 release,' he said.
He also spoke warmly of the director's working style. 'Selva sir is a master. He's a master in teaching acting to artists. We saw the edit and everything has worked out so well,' G V Prakash said.
Why This Collaboration Has Fans Excited
This marks the third collaboration between Selvaraghavan and G V Prakash Kumar, a pairing that has consistently delivered musically acclaimed outings. Their previous joint ventures — 'Aayirathil Oruvan' (2010) and 'Mayakkam Enna' (2011) — both produced chartbuster soundtracks that remain fan favourites. Expectations from the new film are correspondingly high, particularly for the album.
Notably, this is the first time G V Prakash steps in front of the camera for a Selvaraghavan directorial, adding an extra dimension to an already-anticipated project. Last year, G V Prakash had teased the project on social media, sharing a still from the sets and noting that the film and its music would be 'a special treat' for fans of 'Aayirathil Oruvan' and 'Mayakkam Enna'.
Cast and Technical Crew
Actress Madhuri Jain plays the female lead opposite G V Prakash in the romantic entertainer. The film also features several leading character artistes in supporting roles. The first four schedules of the production were wrapped last year.
On the technical side, cinematography is handled by Arun Ramakrishnan, while editing is by Balaji. Art direction is by R K Vijay Murugan, and Dinesh Guna serves as executive producer. The film is being produced by G V Prakash Kumar himself under his banner Parallel Universe Pictures, with the composer also scoring the film's music.
What to Watch For
With the final Chennai schedule set to wrap soon, the post-production pipeline — including the music album, which historically has been the duo's strongest calling card — will be closely tracked by fans. An early 2027 release window, if confirmed, would place the film in a competitive Tamil cinema calendar. Given the track record of both previous collaborations, the soundtrack reveal alone is expected to generate significant buzz.
Point of View
Which means G V Prakash's dual role as composer and lead actor is either a masterstroke or a pressure cooker. Selvaraghavan directing a film where his music director is also the protagonist is an unusual creative gamble, and the 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini meets Imtiaz Ali' framing suggests the director is leaning into emotionally immersive territory. If the album lands, the film's theatrical prospects could be strong regardless of the crowded 2027 Tamil release calendar.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Mental Manadhil' and when will it release?
'Mental Manadhil' is an upcoming Tamil romantic film directed by Selvaraghavan, starring G V Prakash Kumar and Madhuri Jain. The team is targeting an early 2027 theatrical release, with shooting approximately 80 per cent complete as of September 2025.
Is this the first time G V Prakash and Selvaraghavan are working together?
No — 'Mental Manadhil' is their third collaboration. The duo previously worked together on 'Aayirathil Oruvan' (2010) and 'Mayakkam Enna' (2011), both of which produced widely acclaimed soundtracks. However, this is the first time G V Prakash is acting in a Selvaraghavan directorial.
Who is in the cast and crew of 'Mental Manadhil'?
Actress Madhuri Jain plays the female lead opposite G V Prakash Kumar. The technical crew includes cinematographer Arun Ramakrishnan, editor Balaji, and art director R K Vijay Murugan. Dinesh Guna serves as executive producer, and the film is produced by G V Prakash Kumar under Parallel Universe Pictures.
What kind of film is 'Mental Manadhil'?
G V Prakash Kumar has described 'Mental Manadhil' as a film in the vein of 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini' combined with the romantic sensibility of filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, suggesting a deeply emotional, music-driven love story.
How much of 'Mental Manadhil' has been shot so far?
As of early September 2025, 80 per cent of the film's shooting has been completed. The remaining schedule consists of seven days of filming in Chennai, after which the production will move into post-production ahead of its planned early 2027 release.
