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Rajinikanth's 173rd Film 'Dharman' Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, Produced by Kamal Haasan

Analysed 24 Jun 2026·12 sources analysed·Chennai, India·Entertainment
Rajinikanth's 173rd Film 'Dharman' Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, Produced by Kamal HaasanPreviousNext

Rajinikanth's 173rd film, officially titled Dharman, is directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International. The film features Rajinikanth as a doctor in a thriller with family elements, alongside Simran and Raashi Khanna. The first-look poster shows Rajinikanth in blood-stained scrubs holding a scalpel, with the tagline "Justice will prevail." The project experienced multiple director changes before finalizing Marimuthu. Filming begins June 25, 2026, with music by Anirudh Ravichander.

TBN's observations

First-hand measurement across 12 sources

We measured how 12 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 0%, Centre 100%, Right 0%). Overall sentiment is positive (74/100). Lens Score 37/100 — moderate-to-low public interest.

Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):

  • english— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • indianexpress— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • thetelegraph— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • httpswwwoutlookindiacom— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • ndtv— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • news18— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • indiatvnews— balanced framing, positive sentiment
  • timesnow— balanced framing, positive sentiment
Political Bias
0%100%0%
Sentiment
74%
AI analysis of 12 sources · Published under editorial oversight by The Balanced News
Analysed 24 Jun 2026· How this analysis is produced· Editorial standards· Corrections

AI Analysis

Political bias across 12 sources
● Left 0%● Center 100%● Right 0%

The article group presents a largely neutral perspective focused on entertainment news, highlighting the collaboration between Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan without political framing. Coverage centers on production details, casting, and creative changes, reflecting industry and fan interest rather than political viewpoints. The sources emphasize the film's development and the actors' professional relationship, maintaining an apolitical tone.

Sentiment — Positive (74/100)

The overall sentiment across the articles is positive and anticipatory, reflecting excitement about the film's announcement, the star cast, and the creative team. Fans' reactions and the celebratory tone at the launch event contribute to an upbeat mood. While some articles note director changes, these are presented factually without negative connotations, maintaining an optimistic outlook on the project's progress.

How 12 sources covered this story

Reviewed byAniket Awate· Culture & Digital Media Writer· Edited byOjas Kale
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Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.

SourceTheir headlineBiasSentiment
englishRajinikanth's Next Film 'Dharman' Announced; Kamal Haasan Drops The First Look PosterCenterPositive
indianexpressRajinikanth, Kamal Haasan on their 50-year friendship as Thalaivar 173, Dharman, beginsCenterPositive
thetelegraphRajinikanth's 173rd film titled 'Dharman', shooting to begin from June 25Center

Coverage timeline

thehindu broke this story on 24 Jun, 04:55 am. Other outlets followed.

  1. 1
    thehindu24 Jun, 04:55 am
    'Dharman' is Rajinikanth's next; Ashwath Marimuthu replaces Cibi Chakaravarthi as director
  2. 2
    indiatoday24 Jun, 05:09 am
    Rajinikanth is a deadly doctor in Ashwath Marmuthu's Dharman, Kamal to produce
  3. 3
    news1824 Jun, 05:55 am
    Rajinikanth's 'Thalaivar 173' Officially Titled Dharman, First Look Poster Out
  4. 4
    hindustantimes24 Jun, 06:13 am
    Dharman: Rajinikanth reveals why film with Kamal Haasan saw 3 director changes before Ashwath Marimuthu was finalised
  5. 5

Lens Score breakdown

37/100
Public interest25/100
Coverage gap100%

Story is receiving appropriate media attention relative to public interest.

Story context

Category
Entertainment
Location
Chennai, India
Sources analysed
12
Last analysed
24 Jun 2026
Key entities
RajinikanthRaaj Kamal Films InternationalKamal HaasanAnirudh RavichanderChennaiSimran (actress)Raashii KhannaTamil languageSundar C.Puja (Hinduism)Nelson (director)Filmmaking
Positive
httpswwwoutlookindiacomRajinikanth's Thalaivar 173 Titled Dharman, First Look Poster Dropped Outlook IndiaCenterPositive
ndtvi Dharman i First Look: Rajinikanth Is A Doctor With 'Killer' Instinct In Kamal Haasan's FilmCenterPositive
news18Rajinikanth Reveals Why He Is Hesitant To Speak In Public: 'People Who Don't Like Us...'CenterPositive
indiatvnewsPoster: Rajinikanth plays 'deadly doctor' in blood-stained look from Kamal Haasan-backed Dharman - India TV NewsCenterPositive
timesnowThalaiavar 173: Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan Film Titled Dharman, Ashwath Marimuthu Replaces Cibi Chakravarthy To Direct FilmCenterPositive
hindustantimesDharman: Rajinikanth reveals why film with Kamal Haasan saw 3 director changes before Ashwath Marimuthu was finalisedCenterNeutral
news18Rajinikanth's 'Thalaivar 173' Officially Titled Dharman, First Look Poster OutCenterPositive
indiatodayRajinikanth is a deadly doctor in Ashwath Marmuthu's Dharman, Kamal to produceCenterPositive
thehindu'Dharman' is Rajinikanth's next; Ashwath Marimuthu replaces Cibi Chakaravarthi as directorCenterPositive
timesnow24 Jun, 06:18 am
Thalaiavar 173: Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan Film Titled Dharman, Ashwath Marimuthu Replaces Cibi Chakravarthy To Direct Film
  • 6
    indiatvnews24 Jun, 06:21 am
    Poster: Rajinikanth plays 'deadly doctor' in blood-stained look from Kamal Haasan-backed Dharman - India TV News
  • 7
    news1824 Jun, 06:37 am
    Rajinikanth Reveals Why He Is Hesitant To Speak In Public: 'People Who Don't Like Us...'
  • 8
    ndtv24 Jun, 06:49 am
    i Dharman i First Look: Rajinikanth Is A Doctor With 'Killer' Instinct In Kamal Haasan's Film
  • 9
    httpswwwoutlookindiacom24 Jun, 06:51 am
    Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 173 Titled Dharman, First Look Poster Dropped Outlook India
  • 10
    thetelegraph24 Jun, 07:02 am
    Rajinikanth's 173rd film titled 'Dharman', shooting to begin from June 25
  • Rajinikanth's 173rd Film 'Dharman' Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, Produced by Kamal Haasan