The trailer of Thandakaaranyam has set the tone for a hard-hitting, emotionally resonant story that blends political commentary with personal struggle. Featuring actors Dinesh and Kalaiyarasan in powerful roles, the film explores the journey of tribal communities fighting to protect their land and identity. Kalaiyarasan plays a young man who joins the army, only to return home and find that the very system he served now threatens his homeland. Dinesh portrays a fierce defender of the forest, leading a resistance that’s both raw and deeply rooted in community. The trailer teases a narrative grounded in real-life parallels: conflict, displacement, and resilience – enhanced by Justin Prabhakaran’s evocative score and Pratheep Kaliraja’s grounded visuals. Set to release this Friday, September 19th under Neelam Productions and Learn & Teach Productions, the film also stars Rithvika, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Vinsu Sam, Bala Saravanan, and Muthukumar.
At the film’s pre release meet in Chennai, actress Rithvika expressed heartfelt gratitude to director Athiyan Athirai and Neelam Productions for trusting her once again. She described Thandakaaranyam as a story set in a new landscape, one that brings out characters rarely seen on screen. She highlighted the uncompromising nature of the director’s vision and the physical and emotional demands of shooting in such difficult terrain. For her, the belief that good films always find their audience remains strong, and she hopes this one receives that same support.
Vishnu Rachel, relatively new to Kollywood, recalled her initial struggle during the audition process. With Malayalam as her mother tongue, she found the rural Tamil required for the role particularly challenging. Despite an underwhelming audition, she was given a chance and she didn’t take it lightly. For three straight months, she attended the director’s office, studied the script, learned Tamil line by line, and fully memorized her dialogues before stepping in front of the camera. She described this project as incredibly special and thanked the team for trusting her through that process.
Actor Dinesh spoke about how his approach to performance has evolved, saying that his last three films, including Thandakaaranyam were rooted in his own life experiences. He shared how he acted by drawing from real emotions, imagining physical vulnerability like the act of losing breath, which made his performance feel more real to viewers. The appreciation he received for Lubber Pandhu reaffirmed that honest storytelling connects deeply, and he’s carried that same honesty into this film.
Kalaiyarasan called the project a major turning point in his career, applauding director Athiyan for his emotionally grounded storytelling while also managing to stay aware of the film’s commercial realities. He noted that the energy shifted significantly when Justin Prabhakaran joined the team as composer, lifting the project to another level.
Producer Pa Ranjith, who has stood behind many socially charged films, reflected on his 13-year journey with this team. He reaffirmed that they never entered cinema for fame or profit alone: they came with the intent to spark dialogue, correct injustices, and tell stories that often go untold. In his view, Thandakaaranyam continues that mission with urgency and heart.
With its intense performances, timely subject, and a trailer that promises both emotional weight and political relevance, Thandakaaranyam is shaping up to be more than just a film; it is a statement of resistance, identity, and belonging. The press screening is set to happen shortly, and we will be posting our detailed review soon.