As Mani Ratnam begins filming for his upcoming untitled project, videos and photos have emerged from the famed Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, where his film is being shot. Reuniting with Vijay Sethupathi after Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018), Mani Ratnam will work with Sai Pallavi for the first time.

The photos and videos showed Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi in between takes in conversation with the director. The film seems to be a return to a familiar genre for Mani Ratnam, romantic drama. The director began his career with the romantic drama, Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983), and has further made films like Mouna Ragam (1986), Alai Paayuthey (2000), O Kadal Kanmani (2016), among others.

Mani Ratnam is producing the upcoming film under his Madras Talkies banner, along with Subaskaran who produces under his Lyca Productions banner. AR Rahman is on board to compose music, making this his 20th collaboration with the director.

The director's last release was his reunion with Kamal Haasan, Thug Life (2025). The film was released in June 5, 2025, and stars Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Nassar, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, and Joju George, among others.