Ram Pothineni and Sreeleela Join Rajinikanth in Dharman as Filming Nears Completion

On the occasion of Diwali, production company Raaj Kamal Films International announced the addition of Telugu actor Ram Pothineni to the cast of the upcoming Dharman movie, marking his official debut in Tamil cinema. The project, which stars Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead, has also welcomed actress Sreeleela to its primary cast as principal photography approaches its final schedule. Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, the film brings Rajinikanth together with veteran actor-producer Kamal Haasan, who is producing the project alongside R. Mahendran under the Raaj Kamal banner.

The casting updates were released through official character introduction videos, confirming that both Ram Pothineni and Sreeleela will play major roles in the feature. The addition of prominent actors from the Telugu film industry expands the cross-regional profile of the Dharman movie as the production crew finishes shooting key portions across major schedules.

Ram Pothineni makes Tamil debut in aircraft intro

The promotional glimpse introducing Ram Pothineni sets a tense atmosphere, opening inside an aircraft cabin with an automated flight announcement warning passengers about approaching severe turbulence. The scene then transitions to introduce Ram, who sports a thick beard, dark sunglasses, and a smoking cigarette, establishing a stylish and aggressive character presence. Outlets including Cinema Express, Gulte, and M9 News reported that the promo was released as part of the team’s Diwali promotional roll-out, with the clip framing Ram’s entry as creating major turbulence in the plot.

Ram, often referred to as the Energetic Star in Telugu film circles, is set to play a full-length, key role rather than a brief cameo appearance. His entry into the project marks his first direct Tamil feature film. The collaboration adds further momentum to a film already anchored by the rare combination of Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead role and Kamal Haasan steering the project as producer.

Sreeleela introduced as ‘The Spark’ after song sequence

Raaj Kamal Films International simultaneously unveiled a dedicated character glimpse for Sreeleela, officially welcoming the actress on board. The intro video presented by the makers shows her vibrant personality and stylish appearance, unveiling her onscreen titles as The Spark and The Pataka. While the initial video avoided disclosing specific plot details or character names, it focused on a high-energy presentation designed for the mass entertainer.

According to reports from ETV Bharat and Telangana Today, Sreeleela has already completed shooting for an extensive song sequence for the film. The project marks her first cinematic collaboration with Rajinikanth. Her casting alongside a co-star 50 years her senior was widely noted across entertainment trade reports following the release of her first-look reveal.

Nayanthara reunites with Rajinikanth for sixth feature

The star-studded cast also features Nayanthara in a central role, re-establishing one of Tamil cinema’s most successful screen pairings. Her inclusion reunites her with Rajinikanth following their previous collaboration in the 2021 action drama Annaatthe. The two actors have co-starred in five Tamil movies over their careers, making director Ashwath Marimuthu’s film their sixth project together on screen.

Some regional reports and trade listings have also referred to the project under the working title Dharma. However, official production materials from Raaj Kamal Films International maintain Dharman as the primary title for the Rajinikanth starrer.

With India Today reporting that principal photography is now nearing completion, director Ashwath Marimuthu and producers Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran are preparing to shift the project into post-production. Raaj Kamal Films International has not yet locked an official theatrical release date for the film.