Rajinikanth's 'Dharman' second schedule begins, Kamal Haasan produces
Synopsis
Two Tamil legends, one film gaining speed — Rajinikanth's 'Dharman', produced by Kamal Haasan's RKFI, has kicked off its second schedule. With Anirudh on music, National Award-winning stunts duo Anbariv on action, and a doctor-turned-vigilante premise, this is shaping up as one of the most-watched Tamil productions in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Rajinikanth's Tamil film 'Dharman' commenced its second schedule of shooting on 13 August .
The film is directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran under Raaj Kamal Films International .
Rajinikanth plays a doctor who takes on criminals; the title poster showed him in an operation theatre with a scalpel.
Music is by Anirudh Ravichander ; action is choreographed by National Award -winning duo Anbariv .
The film is also catalogued as Thalaivar 173 in Rajinikanth's filmography.
Rajinikanth's upcoming Tamil action film 'Dharman', directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, has entered its second schedule of shooting, the production house confirmed on Thursday, 13 August. The announcement was made by Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI), the banner of actor and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan, through a video clip shared across its social media channels.
What the Announcement Revealed
The video released by RKFI showed Rajinikanth on set alongside director Ashwath Marimuthu, with the two seen in conversation. The production house captioned the post: 'The deadly doctor. #Dharman Schedule 2 Begins, and this one's legendary.' The phrase 'deadly doctor' is a nod to Rajinikanth's role in the film — a physician who confronts and takes down criminals.
Rajinikanth's Look and the Fan Buzz
Excitement around Dharman has been building steadily since the project was first announced. In June 2025, the makers released a making video documenting how the team arrived at Rajinikanth's distinctive look for the film. Director Ashwath Marimuthu later shared a fresh poster on X, writing: 'We heard you !! Ithan hair styleu (This is the hair style)!! Ithan looku (This is the look)! Sexy work @kabilanchelliah.' The title poster, released earlier, depicted Rajinikanth in an operation theatre holding a scalpel, with one foot placed over a slain criminal — a visual that quickly went viral among fans.
The Creative Team Behind Dharman
The film carries a formidable technical line-up. Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography is handled by Niketh Bommi, and editing is by Pradeep E Raghav. Action sequences are being choreographed by Anbariv, the National Award-winning stunt duo. Dharman is produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran, and co-produced by S Disney, under the RKFI banner.
Two Legends, One Project
The collaboration between Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth — two of Tamil cinema's most iconic figures — has added an extra layer of anticipation to the project. The making video from June had shown the two sharing a moment on set, a rare sight that sent fans into a frenzy. When the film's title was announced, Kamal Haasan wrote: 'Dharmame vellum! (Only Dharma will win).' The film is also listed as Thalaivar 173 in Rajinikanth's filmography. With the second schedule now underway, the production appears to be gaining momentum ahead of what is expected to be one of Tamil cinema's most anticipated releases.
Point of View
And RKFI is clearly leveraging it for maximum pre-release heat. What is notable is the deliberate build: a making video in June, a look-reveal, and now a schedule announcement, each timed to sustain fan momentum without releasing a formal trailer. The 'deadly doctor' framing also signals a conscious pivot from pure mass-entertainer tropes toward a vigilante-with-purpose narrative, which could broaden the film's audience beyond Rajinikanth's core base. Whether the execution matches the mythology-building will be the real test.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Dharman' about?
Dharman is an action entertainer in which Rajinikanth plays a doctor who takes on criminals. The film is directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran under the Raaj Kamal Films International banner.
When did the second schedule of 'Dharman' begin?
The second schedule of Dharman began on 13 August 2025, as confirmed by Raaj Kamal Films International through a video update shared on its social media channels.
Who is producing 'Dharman'?
Dharman is produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran, and co-produced by S Disney, under the Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) banner. Kamal Haasan is also an actor and member of parliament.
Who are the key crew members of 'Dharman'?
The film features music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Niketh Bommi, editing by Pradeep E Raghav, and action choreography by National Award-winning duo Anbariv.
What is Thalaivar 173?
Thalaivar 173 is the fan-assigned serial number for Dharman in Rajinikanth's filmography, a tradition used to track and reference each of the superstar's films in sequence.
