National Award winning actor Dhanush who is currently part of films like Captain Miller (releasing December 15, 2023), D 50 (tentative title), Tere Ishk Mein (Hindi film), and D 51 (tentative title) a direct Telugu project with director Sekhar Kammula, will next be seen for the first time in a biopic. Dhanush will be playing lead in 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraaja's autobiographical film, and an official announcement on the same is expected soon.

Dhanush starrer Ilaiyaraaja biopic is expected go on floors next year i.e. in 2024 and release by 2025. 80 year old Ilaiyaraaja is a celebrated veteran musician from the Tamil film industry. Born Gnanathesigan in 1943 Theni (pre-Independence India), Ilaiyaraaja grew up in rural Pannaipuram and was exposed to a range of Tamil folk music in his formative years. 

Ilaiyaraaja attained mainstream success with the Tamil film Annakili in 1976, when the music he composed for movie became a huge hit. Until the arrival of AR Rahman in the 90s, Ilaiyaraaja was the undisputed King of Kollywood and was the most sought after composer across South India.

A 5-time National award winner, Ilaiyaraaja is also a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan - the second-highest civilian award presented by the government of India. Ilaiyaraaja, also fondly known as 'Maestro' (a title conferred by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London) has a vast discography spanning 7000+ songs, composed for 1000+ feature films in different languages, in 50+ years of his career. 

The Ilaiyaraaja biopic is likely to be produced by Connekkt Media, the banner currently bankrolling Malayalam star Mohanlal’s pan-Indian film Vrushabha.