Actor Dinesh’s next outing, Thandakaaranyam, directed by Athiyan Athirai, is gearing up for release, and the makers have now revealed that he will be seen as a character named Sadaiyan. The film, which also stars Kalaiyarasan in a lead role, is scheduled to hit screens on September 19.

The announcement came directly from Athiyan Athirai, who shared the update on his X handle along with a short video of Dinesh talking about the project.

“This is a film that I am eagerly awaiting. It is releasing after my successful film, Lubber Pandhu,” Dinesh said in the clip. “This is the second film of director Athiyan Athirai, whose first film was the critically acclaimed Irandam Ulaga Porin Kadaisi Gundu. Athiyan Athirai is a very serious filmmaker, but he has whipped up something that will work commercially well in this film. It was very challenging for me when I heard it as a script. When I wondered how he could place this film commercially, he came up with a story that evolved beautifully using forests.”

The ensemble cast of Thandakaaranyam features Riythvika, Vinsu Sam, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Muthukumar, Aruldoss, Saranya Ravichandran and Bala Saravanan.

Behind the camera, Justin Prabhakaran scores the music, with lyrics penned by Umadevi and Thanikodi. Pratheep Kaliraja serves as the cinematographer, Selva RK handles editing, and T Ramalingam is in charge of art direction. Stunts are choreographed by Stunner Sam and AS Sudeshkumar.

Athiyan Athirai, who previously collaborated with Dinesh on Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu, is once again helming this project. The film is produced by Pa Ranjith under his Neelam Productions banner in association with Learn and Teach Productions. S Sai Devanand and S Sai Venkateswaran also serve as producers, while Pa Saravanan, Manind Bedi and PJ Prakash are attached as executive producers.