Rajinikanth’s Team Denies Rift Rumours With Dharman Director Ashwath Marimuthu
Rajinikanth’s team has dismissed claims of a fallout with Dharman director Ashwath Marimuthu after a now-deleted social media post sparked speculation about tensions during the film’s shoot.
Rajinikanth’s team has dismissed rumours of a rift between the superstar and Dharman director Ashwath Marimuthu, calling the online claims false. The clarification followed a now-deleted post on X alleging disagreements between the actor and filmmaker during the production of the upcoming film.
The post offered no evidence to support its claims, but it fuelled speculation among fans following the project. Rajinikanth’s manager subsequently rejected the allegations in a statement written in Tamil, saying the actor appeared happy and comfortable working with Ashwath.
The representative also described the shoot as progressing smoothly and at a brisk pace, praising the director’s energy and approach. The clarification sought to put an end to speculation surrounding the collaboration.
Dharman, produced by Kamal Haasan, has undergone several changes in its directorial line-up. Sundar C was initially announced as director in November 2025 but later exited the project, citing unavoidable circumstances. Cibi Chakaravarthi was named as his replacement in January 2026, before Ashwath Marimuthu was eventually confirmed as director when the film’s title was revealed in June.
Rajinikanth had earlier explained that Sundar C’s departure was linked to other professional commitments, while Cibi’s version would have required a significant investment of time and money. The film is currently scheduled for a theatrical release in January 2027.
Simran, Raashii Khanna and Yogi Babu are among the confirmed cast members. Reports have also linked Ram Pothineni and Sreeleela to the project, though their involvement has not been officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, Rajinikanth is set to return as Muthuvel Pandian in Jailer 2, scheduled for release on October 15.
