Chennai: Fans of Dhanush have another major project to look forward to as the actor’s upcoming film, tentatively titled D55, was formally launched with a mahurat pooja held on Saturday. The film marks Dhanush’s collaboration with Amaran director Rajkumar Periasamy and features Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela in prominent roles. The auspicious ceremony was attended by the principal cast and crew, signalling the official start of one of the most anticipated Tamil projects currently in development.
The launch event quickly generated buzz on social media, with images from the pooja going viral and fans expressing excitement over the combination of Dhanush, Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela under a director known for rooted storytelling and scale.
Mahurat pooja marks formal beginning
The production house Wunderbar Films, founded by Dhanush, shared photographs from the mahurat pooja on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. In one of the images, Dhanush, Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela are seen lighting the ceremonial lamp together, smiling and interacting warmly with the team. Another photograph captured Dhanush in conversation with director Rajkumar Periasamy and other key crew members, reflecting a relaxed yet celebratory mood.
Music director Sai Abhyankkar was also present at the ceremony, confirming his association with the project. The caption shared by the production house read: “When all smiles led to a powerful start. Candid moments from the #D55 pooja.”
For the occasion, Dhanush opted for a traditional white shirt and mundu, keeping his look simple and elegant. Sai Pallavi wore a purple saree, while Sreeleela chose a light orange churidaar, drawing appreciation from fans for their understated yet graceful appearances.
Strong cast fuels fan excitement
D55 brings together an impressive ensemble, with Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela playing key roles alongside Dhanush. This film marks the second collaboration between Dhanush and Sai Pallavi after Maari 2 (2018), where their chemistry was widely appreciated by audiences.
Sreeleela’s inclusion in the project had earlier sparked speculation online, with fans debating whether the role would go to Sai Pallavi or Mrunal Thakur. The confirmation of both Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela has further heightened expectations, as audiences look forward to seeing how their characters are positioned within the narrative.
While specific details about the storyline remain under wraps, industry insiders suggest that D55 will blend emotional depth with scale, a combination that aligns with Rajkumar Periasamy’s directorial style.
Mammootty’s Tamil return after seven years
One of the most significant aspects of D55 is the involvement of legendary actor Mammootty, who is said to play a pivotal role in the film. Although Mammootty was not present at the mahurat pooja, his association with the project has already created considerable excitement.
The film marks Mammootty’s return to Tamil cinema after seven years, following his critically acclaimed performance in Peranbu (2019). Expressing his enthusiasm earlier, Mammootty wrote on X: “Elated and excited to be a part of this journey with @dhanushkraja and @Rajkumar_KP.”
His presence adds gravitas to the project and signals that D55 may explore layered characters and intense emotional arcs.
Director Rajkumar Periasamy’s growing stature
Rajkumar Periasamy, who won praise for Amaran, is steadily emerging as a director to watch. Known for combining strong characterisation with socially resonant themes, his collaboration with Dhanush is being seen as a natural creative fit.
Trade analysts believe that D55 could be a defining film for the director, given the scale of the cast and the expectations riding on the project. With Wunderbar Films backing the venture, the film is expected to have high production values while retaining a strong narrative core.
Busy phase for lead actors
Dhanush was last seen in the Hindi film Tere Ishk Mein, directed by Aanand L Rai. The film, which also starred Kriti Sanon and Prakash Raj, explored the emotional journey of a man coping with heartbreak and is currently streaming on Netflix. In addition to D55, Dhanush has a packed slate of Tamil and pan-Indian projects, reinforcing his status as one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema.
Sreeleela was last seen in Parasakthi (2026), a Tamil political action drama directed by Sudha Kongara, featuring Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan and Atharvaa. She also has an untitled Anurag Basu film lined up opposite Kartik Aaryan.
Sai Pallavi was most recently seen in Thandel and is eagerly awaited in Ramayan, where she plays Sita opposite Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Ram, with Yash portraying Raavan. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the mythological epic is slated for release later this year.
Conclusion
With its mahurat pooja now complete, D55 has officially gone on floors, setting the stage for what promises to be a major cinematic event. The combination of Dhanush, Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela, Mammootty and Rajkumar Periasamy has created strong early momentum. As more details emerge in the coming months, anticipation around D55 is only expected to grow, positioning it as one of the most closely watched Tamil films in production.