Inji Vellam release date set: Mani Ratnam film hits screens January 29
Synopsis
Mani Ratnam's Inji Vellam — pairing Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi with an A R Rahman score — finally has a release date: 29 January 2027. The playful title reveal and the director's swift shooting style suggest a lighter, more romantic Ratnam than audiences have seen in recent years, making this one of Tamil cinema's most watched early-2027 releases.
Key Takeaways
Inji Vellam will release worldwide on 29 January 2027 , confirmed by Madras Talkies on 11 November 2026 .
The film stars Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi , directed by Mani Ratnam .
Music is composed by Oscar-winner A R Rahman , whose involvement was announced in March 2026 .
The film is jointly produced by Lyca Productions and Madras Talkies .
The title was unveiled in September 2026 via a voice-only clip featuring the two leads.
This marks the second collaboration between Vijay Sethupathi and Mani Ratnam , after Chekka Chevantha Vaanam .
Mani Ratnam's much-anticipated Tamil film Inji Vellam, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles, is set for a worldwide theatrical release on 29 January 2027. The announcement was made on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, by production house Madras Talkies across its social media channels.
Official Announcement
Madras Talkies confirmed the release date with a post that read: 'Save the date. Subaskaran Presents. #InjiVellam from Jan 29th, Worldwide.' The film is jointly produced by Lyca Productions and Madras Talkies, the latter being Mani Ratnam's own production banner. The announcement has been eagerly received by fans of the director and the two leading stars.
Star-Studded Creative Team
The film features music composed by Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman, whose involvement was confirmed by Madras Talkies back in March 2026. Cinematography is handled by acclaimed director of photography Avik Mukhopadhayay, while editing duties fall to Sreekar Prasad, Mani Ratnam's long-trusted editor. Costume design is by Eka Lakhani and art direction by Sharmishta Roy. Stunt choreography has been done by Dhilip Subbarayan, with dance sequences choreographed by Brinda Gopal and make-up by Ranjith Ambady.
Title Reveal and Story Hints
The film's title was unveiled in September 2026 through a charming audio clip featuring only the voices of the two leads. In the clip, Sai Pallavi and Vijay Sethupathi debate who is the 'inji' (ginger) and who is the 'vellam' (jaggery) in the title — a playful exchange that hints at the film's breezy, rom-com tone. Sethupathi ultimately settles the banter, calling himself the ginger and Sai Pallavi the jaggery.
Vijay Sethupathi's Bond with Mani Ratnam
This is not the first collaboration between Vijay Sethupathi and Mani Ratnam. The two previously worked together on Chekka Chevantha Vaanam. In a prior interview, Sethupathi reportedly described the director as 'very fast' on set and said he had requested to read the script alongside Ratnam to better understand what the filmmaker expected from his performance — a testament to the regard both talents hold for each other.
What to Expect
Inji Vellam is shaping up as a high-profile Tamil release for early 2027, combining Mani Ratnam's directorial craft with one of Tamil cinema's most beloved lead pairs and an A R Rahman score. With a 29 January 2027 release date locked, attention will now turn to the first trailer and promotional campaign expected in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Banter-driven title reveal suggests a deliberate tonal pivot away from the epic scale of Ponniyin Selvan, and that could be precisely the kind of counter-programming that dominates the January box office. The real question is whether Ratnam's characteristically nuanced storytelling translates into genuine multiplex footfall for a rom-com frame.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Inji Vellam releasing?
Inji Vellam is set to release worldwide on 29 January 2027. The date was officially announced by Madras Talkies on 11 November 2026.
Who are the lead actors in Inji Vellam?
Inji Vellam stars Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles, directed by Mani Ratnam. It is their first film together under Ratnam's direction.
Who is composing the music for Inji Vellam?
Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman is scoring the music for Inji Vellam. Madras Talkies confirmed Rahman's involvement in March 2026.
What does the title Inji Vellam mean?
'Inji' means ginger and 'vellam' means jaggery in Tamil. The title was revealed in September 2026 through a playful audio clip where Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi debate who is the ginger and who is the jaggery.
Have Vijay Sethupathi and Mani Ratnam worked together before?
Yes, Vijay Sethupathi previously collaborated with Mani Ratnam on the 2018 Tamil film Chekka Chevantha Vaanam. Inji Vellam marks their second project together.
