Mani Ratnam’s 19th AR Rahman film gets Jan 29 release

Mani Ratnam is returning to romance, and now fans know exactly when to buy the ticket. Inji Vellam, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi, will open in theatres on January 29. The announcement arrived with a first-look motion poster that places the two leads as an on-screen couple, with a set of twins beside them.

A reunion behind the camera

The film is not just a star pairing. It is Mani Ratnam’s return to the romance genre and his 19th collaboration with composer AR Rahman. Rahman’s name on a Mani Ratnam film has long been an event of its own, and Inji Vellam keeps that thread running.

Add the off-camera muscle: Netflix has acquired the film’s streaming rights, while Sony Music has secured its music rights. That gives the project a clear path from the big screen to homes.

Who is in the frame

Chaithra J Achar, recently seen in Meesaya Murukku 2 and 418, has joined the cast. Sharing the announcement video, she wrote:

“Wait a minute still pinching myself but here we go!”

Mani Ratnam has written the film and is producing it under his Madras Talkies banner with Siva Ananth. Subaskaran is producing it under Lyca Productions, marking another collaboration after Thug Life (2025).

The technical team is stacked:

• Cinematographer: Avik Mukhopadhyay
• Editor: Sreekar Prasad
• Art director: Sharmishta Roy
• Action choreographer: Dhilip Subbarayan

What it means for fans

For fans of Indian cinema, the draw is obvious: a romantic film by Mani Ratnam with Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi, and AR Rahman’s music behind it. The first look leans into the warmth of family and partnership rather than a traditional star entrance, which should set expectations early.

The date also lands in a busy corridor for both leads. Vijay Sethupathi’s Train with Mysskin is due in theatres on December 4, and Pocket Novel is set for January 14. Sai Pallavi, currently in Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, has Om – Chapter 1: Udhiram – The Blood Wood releasing November 20.

Mark the calendar

Inji Vellam brings a rare combination: a filmmaker returning to a beloved genre, a star pair with its own pull, and a composer who has defined the sound of that partnership for decades. For now, the first look is enough to start the conversation.

Source: India Today