This Actor To Play AR Rahman In Ilaiyaraaja Biopic? What We Know

Dhanush, the popular South Indian actor, is set to portray the legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja in an upcoming biopic. Ilaiyaraaja, known for his music that has kept the Indian music industry in awe, is a very respected figure in the South.

Recently, the title poster for the biopic was unveiled at an event in Chennai, attended by prominent personalities including Kamal Haasan, Vetri Maran, Gangai Amaran and Bharathiraja. Directed by Arun Matheswaran, the film promises to delve into the life and journey of Ilaiyaraaja, capturing his musical genius and influence.

Apart from Dhanush’s portrayal of Ilaiyaraaja, discussions have begun among fans regarding the casting of other key figures in the music director’s life. Notably, Ilaiyaraaja shares a special bond with music director AR Rahman, filmmaker Mani Ratnam, and lyricist Vairamuthu, who are integral to his story.

To further fuel excitement, graphics artists have created depictions of actors in these significant roles. Famous South actor Silambarasan TR is predicted as AR Rahman, while Madhavan is portrayed as Mani Ratnam and Vishal as Vairamuthu.

The poster, featuring a young Ilaiyaraaja carrying a harmonium outside Chennai Central Railway Station, offers a glimpse into the musician’s formative years.

The biopic, jointly produced by Connect Media, PK Prime Production and Mercury Movie, aims to honour Ilaiyaraaja’s contributions to music and cinema. With the cast and crew yet to be announced completely, the film is poised to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of South India’s most iconic musicians.

Ilaiyaraaja was married to Jeeva and the couple has three children—Karthik Raja, Bhavatharini and Yuvan Shankar Raja—all of them are film composers and singers. Ilaiyaraaja has received five National Film Awards, including three for Best Music Direction and two for Best Background Score. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2010, one of India’s highest civilian honours, followed by the Padma Vibhushan in 2018, the second-highest civilian award bestowed by the Indian government.