Tharun Moorthy denies Chiranjeevi meet was about 'Thudarum' Telugu remake
Synopsis
Malayalam director Tharun Moorthy has dismissed speculation that his recent meeting with Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was a prelude to a 'Thudarum' remake. Instead, Chiranjeevi personally invited Moorthy to discuss cinema and the director's body of work — a moment Moorthy called a 'lifetime's biggest excitement' and a testament to the superstar's enduring passion for filmmaking.
Key Takeaways
Tharun Moorthy met Chiranjeevi on 9 May ; the meeting was not about a 'Thudarum' Telugu remake .
Chiranjeevi's team personally invited Moorthy to discuss cinema and the director's filmography.
Moorthy is currently directing 'Athimanoharam' with Mohanlal and Meera Jasmine . 'Thudarum' , the previous Moorthy-Mohanlal collaboration, crossed ₹100 crore at the Kerala box office .
The director praised Chiranjeevi for his childlike passion and meticulous approach to cinema.
Malayalam director Tharun Moorthy has clarified that his recent meeting with Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was not related to a Telugu remake of his blockbuster 'Thudarum', which starred Mohanlal. Taking to social media on 9 May, Moorthy posted a photograph from the meeting and explained the actual purpose of their conversation.
What the director said
In his Instagram post, Moorthy wrote that Chiranjeevi's team had personally reached out, prompting him to fly to meet the veteran actor at his residence. "We spoke a lot about cinema and personal life," Moorthy shared. "He detailed each and every sequence from all my movies — I was truly over the moon."
The director went on to praise Chiranjeevi's passion for filmmaking, noting that the superstar "still watches and approaches movies with that same inner childlike excitement." Moorthy concluded by calling the meeting a "lifetime's biggest excitement" and one of the most magical moments of his life.
Current project with Mohanlal
Tharun Moorthy is currently directing 'Athimanoharam', a new Malayalam film featuring Mohanlal in the lead role. Meera Jasmine plays the female lead, with Mohanlal portraying a policeman named T S Lovelajan. The project has generated significant anticipation, marking the third collaboration between the director and the Malayalam superstar.
The blockbuster legacy of 'Thudarum'
'Thudarum', directed by Moorthy and starring Mohanlal, became a landmark success in Malayalam cinema. The film crossed the ₹100 crore mark at the Kerala box office alone — a milestone that Mohanlal celebrated with a social media post hailing it as "a new chapter in Kerala box office history." The production house, Rejaputhra Visual Media, marked the film's first anniversary with a heartfelt note thanking the cast, crew, and audience for their support.
What's next
With 'Athimanoharam' in post-production, Moorthy and Mohanlal are poised to deliver another film that could build on the phenomenal success of 'Thudarum'. The director's growing recognition in the industry — evidenced by Chiranjeevi's personal outreach — underscores his rising stature as a filmmaker in Indian cinema.
Point of View
One rising — bonding over craft. Chiranjeevi's personal outreach to Moorthy signals a changing dynamic in Indian cinema, where regional success and directorial excellence are increasingly recognized across linguistic and industry boundaries. For Moorthy, the endorsement from a superstar of Chiranjeevi's stature is career-defining validation.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tharun Moorthy meet Chiranjeevi?
Chiranjeevi's team personally invited Moorthy to meet the superstar at his residence. The two discussed cinema, personal life, and Moorthy's filmography. There was no project or remake discussion involved.
Was the meeting about a 'Thudarum' Telugu remake?
No. Moorthy explicitly clarified on Instagram that the meeting had nothing to do with a Telugu remake of 'Thudarum'. Speculation had arisen after photos of their meeting circulated on social media.
What is Tharun Moorthy currently working on?
Moorthy is directing 'Athimanoharam', a Malayalam film starring Mohanlal and Meera Jasmine. Mohanlal plays a policeman named T S Lovelajan in the film.
How successful was 'Thudarum'?
'Thudarum' was a blockbuster, crossing ₹100 crore at the Kerala box office alone — a rare achievement in Malayalam cinema. It marked a landmark milestone and strengthened the creative partnership between director Moorthy and actor Mohanlal.
Is this the first time Tharun Moorthy and Chiranjeevi have met?
The 9 May meeting appears to be their first personal interaction. Chiranjeevi reportedly initiated the meeting by reaching out through his team, expressing his admiration for Moorthy's work.
