Manikandan's next film has been titled Makkal Kaavalan, produced by Pa Ranjith under his banner Neelam Studios. The first look poster shows Manikandan as a police officer standing amidst fiery ruins, setting the tone for an intense outing.

Speaking about the film, Manikandan said Makkal Kaavalan is a unique action drama rooted in cultural and ethnic disputes. He added that the originality and honesty in the script convinced him to take up the role, calling the film gripping, intense and timely for the current world.

Makkal Kaavalan marks the feature directorial debut of Santhosh Kumar, who also pens the script. The director shared that the story draws from people he has met and experiences he has lived through. He noted that the film explores hierarchies within systems of power and the inequalities they create, while also following an honest man's struggle to protect his integrity within that system.

The makers describe Makkal Kaavalan as an action drama that follows a simple man whose determination to live with dignity in a corrupt system pushes him into becoming a leader he never set out to be.

The film features Vaagai Chandrasekar, A Venkatesh, RK Vijaymurugan, Shanmugam Muthusamy, Sabumon, Unni Maya, Divya Sripada, Jenson Dhivakar, Lallu, Gemini Mani and Raghu in key roles.

Nivas K Prasanna is composing the music, while Pratheepan Selvaratnam handles cinematography. Arul Moses is editing the film, with Pappanadu C Uthayakumar as production designer and Don Ashok as stunt choreographer.

Aditi Anand, who previously produced Bison Kaalamaadan alongside Pa Ranjith, is producing Makkal Kaavalan, with Birla Studios also backing the venture.