Mani Ratnam Reveals Title ‘Inji Vellam’ For His Intense Romantic Feature Starring Vijay Sethupathi And Sai Pallavi

Mani Ratnam has officially titled his upcoming romantic feature “Inji Vellam”, announcing the name after dropping a poetic teaser that showed Kolkata's vintage streets, heritage trams, bustling neighborhoods and vibrant crowds featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi moving through the city. The romantic drama marks a major cinematic return to love stories for the legendary director. The teaser, shared a few days ago, focused on building a rich emotional atmosphere, establishing the West Bengal capital as a core presence in the story instead of a simple setting.

Between light and shadow, life finds its colours

The title of #ManiRatnam’s next, featuring Me :) and #SaiPallavi, will be unveiled on September 7 #ManiRatnam @arrahman @MadrasTalkies_ @LycaProductions @Sai_Pallavi92 @sreekar_prasad #AvikMukhopadhayay @ekalakhani… pic.twitter.com/FOV7X3DBYG

— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) September 4, 2026

Kolkata has been integral to the film's production strategy right from its early stages. Initial behind the scenes pictures and location videos captured Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi filming across iconic urban landmarks, including sequence shoots around the historic Howrah Bridge. The new visual look confirms that the city's unique cultural landscape is thoroughly woven into the project's artistic identity and visual texture.

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The venture brings together Mani Ratnam and Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman once again, continuing a legendary creative partnership that remains one of the longest running and most celebrated director-composer bonds in Indian cinema history. Rahman's soothing musical score plays a defining role in shaping the teaser's ambient mood, complementing the city visuals and enhancing the subtle, romantic tone of the production.

For Sai Pallavi, who is also preparing for her high-profile role in “Ramayana”, working on “Inji Vellam” marks her very first artistic collaboration with Mani Ratnam. Vijay Sethupathi reunites with the veteran filmmaker after previously delivering a memorable performance in the 2018 multi-starrer action drama “Chekka Chivantha Vaanam”. 

#InjiVellam #ManiRatnam @arrahman #Subaskaran @MadrasTalkies_ @LycaProductions @Sai_Pallavi92 @sreekar_prasad #AvikMukhopadhayay @ekalakhani #SharmishtaRoy @BrindhaGopal1 @dhilipaction @AmbadyRanjith @bagapath @gkmtamilkumaran @sonymusicsouth @NetflixIndia @homescreenent… pic.twitter.com/proBPK8pVe

— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) September 7, 2026

Produced under Madras Talkies as Production Number 23, the romantic feature aims to deliver a deeply grounded love story anchored by compelling lead performances and a soulful atmospheric setting.

The anticipation surrounding the feature stems heavily from Mani Ratnam's legendary track record of crafting intimate, frame-focused human relationships against vividly rendered backgrounds. Cinematographer P.C. Sreeram captures the sprawling cityscapes, rendering everyday street corners with striking visual warmth that amplifies the quiet chemistry between the leads. Beyond the primary shoot in West Bengal, production schedules will move to coastal locations like Puducherry, broadening the film's rich canvas. Backed by joint distribution powerhouses, the venture stands as a major regional spectacle that pairs classic vintage filmmaking techniques with contemporary narrative sensibilities.