Dhanush's D56 begins with a temple feast near Madurai

Dhanush’s 56th film, D56, is officially under way. The film was launched with a pooja at the Maranadu Karuppannasamy temple in Sivaganga district, near Madurai, and the team marked the start of the shoot by laying on a kida virundhu, a traditional mutton feast, for the people who turned up. Tamizharasan Pachamuthu, whose 2024 debut Lubber Pandhu won him a following almost overnight, is directing. It is his first film with Dhanush.

Naga Vamsi of Sithara Entertainments, Haritha Lingusamy of Primark Productions and Sai Soujanya of Srikara Studios are producing together. SJ Suryah, Vadivelu, Preity Mukhundhan and Vijaykumar join Dhanush in the cast, and Sai Abhyankkar is composing the music.

The crowd was the story of the day, and everyone who spoke kept coming back to it. Vadivelu, who is reuniting with Dhanush on screen after a long gap, said the turnout made the pooja feel like a maanadu, the kind of mass political conference Tamil Nadu knows well. “Every person born in this village is a Karuppasamy,” he said of the temple. He also got ahead of the obvious question, why the two had not worked together all these years. “Some things in cinema have to happen at the right time. I am happy this chance has come now.”

Vadivelu was careful to set expectations too. “This is not an ordinary film. It is a unique one, with no political influence at all. When I heard the story, I felt proud and surprised. I believe it will be a big success.” The film does not have a title yet; he said it would be announced in a few days.

SJ Suryah pointed out how unusual the setting was. “Usually, film poojas are held in Chennai. But this one is happening with Maranadu Karuppasamy’s blessing, in front of all of you.” He had high praise for the director. “Tamizharasan Pachamuthu is a fine writer and director. After a long time, here is a filmmaker who can create real emotion through his writing. You saw his talent in Lubber Pandhu, and he has done brilliant work on D56 too. He has shaped a story of our own soil beautifully.”

Dhanush kept it short. “This pooja is happening today on faith in the god behind me and all of you in front of me. I do not want to say much today. Everyone, please eat your fill at the feast and get home safely.” He signed off with a promise that he would see the crowd again soon at the audio launch of OM: Chapter 1, his film with Rajkumar Periasamy.