Lights, Camera, Romance: Mani Ratnam Begins Shooting His Next Major Love Story in Kolkata

Renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam has officially started filming his much-anticipated untitled Tamil romantic drama in Kolkata. Behind-the-scenes photos and videos from the set have surfaced online, giving fans their first look at the lead actors, Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi, in action.

Filming on Howrah Bridge & Look Details

The team was spotted shooting key emotional and romantic sequences on Kolkata’s iconic Howrah Bridge as well as other locations across West Bengal.

• Vijay Sethupathi surprised fans with a clean-shaven look, shedding his signature beard. He was seen wearing a casual grey shirt/black t-shirt with dark trousers/jeans and white sneakers.
• Sai Pallavi was captured wearing a simple blue kurta paired with a white dupatta, as well as a flowing maroon/brown dress with loose hair.

The photos show the lead actors walking together across the bustling bridge and taking directions from Mani Ratnam between shots. The visuals instantly generated widespread buzz on social media, with fans comparing the romantic vibe to Vijay Sethupathi’s hit film 96 (2018) and Mani Ratnam’s own classic O Kadal Kanmani (OK Kanmani, 2015).

Key Project Details & Collaborations

• Director & Genre: Directed by Mani Ratnam, the movie marks his return to the romantic drama genre, reminiscent of his iconic past works such as Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983), Mouna Ragam (1986), Alai Paayuthey (2000), and O Kadal Kanmani (2016).
• Cast Connections: This project reunites Mani Ratnam with Vijay Sethupathi after their 2018 action drama Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. On the other hand, this is Sai Pallavi’s very first collaboration with the legendary director.
• Producers: Produced jointly by Mani Ratnam under his banner Madras Talkies and Subaskaran under Lyca Productions.
• Music Composer: Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman is scoring the music and background track, making this his landmark 20th collaboration with Mani Ratnam (rumours had earlier pointed toward Sai Abhyankkar, but Rahman’s role is confirmed).

Production Timeline & Virtual Technology

• Shooting Schedule: The film is planned as a fast-track project with a principal photography schedule of roughly 40 days. The crew will complete a 10-day schedule in Kolkata before moving to Puducherry for the next leg.
• Virtual Production: While portions of the narrative are set overseas, Mani Ratnam is utilizing advanced virtual production technology to recreate international locations locally instead of flying the crew abroad.
• Pre-Release Deals: Trade buzz indicates the movie has already locked in strong business. Digital streaming rights have reportedly been sold for nearly ₹20 crore, with significant deals signed for audio and overseas distribution (though the production team has not officially confirmed these figures yet).

Upcoming Projects of the Cast & Crew