By Ram Jadhav | Entertainment Desk Published: July 27, 2026
Sai Pallavi Vijay Sethupathi Mani Ratnam Filmmaker Mani Ratnam is back on set, and the internet has noticed. Fresh photos of Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi from the shoot of Ratnam’s untitled next currently going by the working title “Production No. 23” have gone viral, with fans reacting mostly to one thing: Vijay Sethupathi’s dramatically changed look.
Here’s everything confirmed so far about the film, the shoot, and why these photos are spreading so fast.
What’s Actually Happening
The film began its first shooting schedule on July 23, 2026, in Kolkata, with the unit reportedly filming key sequences around the iconic Howrah Bridge. On-location stills from the set have been circulating widely, giving fans their first real look at the lead pair in character.
The production is expected to move to Puducherry for its next leg, with a portion of the story reportedly set overseas Sai Pallavi Vijay Sethupathi Mani Ratnam recreated on virtual sets rather than shot on actual international locations. The overall shoot is expected to wrap in around 40 days, though the makers haven’t officially confirmed a timeline.
Why Sai Pallavi Vijay Sethupathi Mani Ratnam Look Is the Big Talking Point
The single biggest reaction from the viral photos has been Vijay Sethupathi’s appearance he’s completely clean-shaven, without his signature beard and moustache, for the first time in several years on screen. For an actor whose rugged, bearded look has become almost a visual identity across his filmography, this is a genuinely notable departure.
Sai Pallavi, meanwhile, appears in a simple sleeveless churidar, with a younger, softer look that fits the film’s romantic tone. Fans online have already started praising the on-screen chemistry visible in these early stills Sai Pallavi Vijay Sethupathi Mani Ratnam notable, given the film hasn’t even entered its promotional phase yet.
3 Things About This Project Most People Are Missing
1. This is Mani Ratnam and Vijay Sethupathi’s second collaboration not their first
It’s easy to assume this pairing is new, but Ratnam and Sethupathi have worked together before, on 2018’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, alongside Arvind Swami and Arun Vijay. This reunion carries real history behind it.
2. A.R. Rahman is on board — after conflicting reports said otherwise
Earlier rumours suggested composer Sai Abhyankar might score the music instead of Rahman. Those rumours have since been put to rest Rahman is confirmed to compose the soundtrack, continuing his celebrated partnership with Ratnam that dates back to Roja and Alaipayuthey.
3. This film follows a rocky patch for Mani Ratnam
This project is Ratnam’s first announcement since Thug Life, his 2025 gangster drama with Kamal Haasan, which reunited Haasan with Silambarasan after decades but ultimately failed to connect with audiences. That context adds some extra weight to how this romantic drama is being watched.
What We Still Don’t Know
No official title has been revealed yet the project remains listed as “Production No. 23.” Plot details are also still under wraps, though multiple reports describe it as a romantic drama, a genre Ratnam has revisited throughout his career with acclaimed results.
My Honest Take
Mani Ratnam romantic dramas carry a specific kind of anticipation this is the filmmaker who gave us Roja, Alaipayuthey, and OK Kanmani. When his name is attached to a love story, expectations naturally rise higher than for a typical star-driven entertainer.
What makes this particular set of viral photos interesting isn’t just curiosity about the plot it’s watching two actors known for very different screen personas step into something that visibly looks softer, quieter, and Sai Pallavi Vijay Sethupathi Mani Ratnam more vulnerable than their recent work. Vijay Sethupathi shedding his beard isn’t just a cosmetic change; it signals a deliberate tonal shift for this role. That’s usually a good sign with a director like Ratnam at the helm.
Worth keeping an eye on as more details emerge.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Director | Mani Ratnam |
| Working Title | Production No. 23 |
| Lead Cast | Vijay Sethupathi, Sai Pallavi |
| Music | A.R. Rahman |
| Shoot Start Date | July 23, 2026 |
| Shoot Locations | Kolkata, Puducherry (with overseas portions on virtual sets) |
| Genre | Romantic drama |
| Production House | Madras Talkies |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mani Ratnam’s new film with Sai Pallavi and Vijay Sethupathi about?
No plot details have been officially confirmed, but reports describe it as a romantic drama. The project is currently known only by its working title, Production No. 23.
When did the shoot begin?
Principal photography began on July 23, 2026, in Kolkata.
Who is composing the music?
A.R. Rahman is confirmed to compose the soundtrack, marking another collaboration with Mani Ratnam after Roja and Alaipayuthey.
Why is Vijay Sethupathi’s look going viral?
He appears completely clean-shaven in the leaked set photos, a major departure from his long-standing bearded look, which hasn’t been seen in several years.
Have Mani Ratnam and Vijay Sethupathi worked together before?
Yes, this is their second collaboration after 2018’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.
Where is the film being shot?
The first schedule is in Kolkata, including sequences around Howrah Bridge, followed by a leg in Puducherry. Overseas portions are expected to be recreated using virtual sets.
When will the film release?
No release date has been announced. The shoot itself is expected to take around 40 days to complete.
About the Author Ram Jadhav has covered Tamil and Hindi cinema for over five years, reporting on major theatrical releases and the industry’s biggest star transitions.
