Sep 05, 2026 12:40pm IST
Mani Ratnam’s Vijay Sethupathi-Sai Pallavi Starrer’s Teaser Paints a Portrait of Kolkata; Title Reveal Set for September 7
Mani Ratnam is returning to romance, and Kolkata appears to be as much a character in his new film as its two leads. The first teaser for the filmmaker’s upcoming feature starring Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi offers a glimpse into its world through the sights, sounds and everyday rhythms of Kolkata. While the title remains under wraps, Vijay Sethupathi has confirmed that it will be unveiled on September 7, 2026.
Sharing the teaser on his social media front, Sethupathi wrote, “Between light and shadow, life finds its colours,” offering a poetic description of the film’s apparent emotional and visual landscape.
The teaser itself remains guarded about the plot but establishes a distinct mood. Kolkata’s streets, trams, neighbourhoods and crowds form the backdrop as Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi move through the city. Rather than revealing the story, the glimpse appears more interested in introducing the atmosphere and emotional world that Mani Ratnam is building.
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The film marks Ratnam’s first directorial outing since “Thug Life” and sees the filmmaker returning to territory closely associated with some of his most celebrated work: stories driven by love, relationships and emotional conflict.
Kolkata has been central to the film’s production from the beginning. Earlier images and videos from the sets showed Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi filming across the city, including around the Howrah Bridge. The teaser now offers a clearer indication that Kolkata will be deeply embedded in the film’s visual identity rather than functioning merely as a backdrop.
Ratnam has filmed in the city before, most notably for his 2004 political drama “Yuva.” His new project, however, appears to inhabit a markedly different world, with the teaser suggesting a more intimate and romantic story.
The film also brings together Ratnam and A.R. Rahman once again, continuing one of Indian cinema’s longest-running filmmaker-composer collaborations. Rahman’s music plays a key role in shaping the mood of the teaser, complementing its images of Kolkata and the film’s understated romantic tone.
For Sai Pallavi who will also be seen in "Ramayana", the project marks her first collaboration with Mani Ratnam. Vijay Sethupathi, meanwhile, reunites with the filmmaker after appearing in “Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.”
With its title set to be revealed on September 7, the teaser has offered an early sense of what audiences can expect from the film: a story seemingly caught between light and darkness, movement and stillness, with Kolkata providing the canvas for Mani Ratnam’s latest exploration of human relationships.
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