Rashmika Mandanna has officially confirmed that she will portray the legendary Carnatic singer M.S. Subbulakshmi in a upcoming biopic. The announcement was made on September 15, 2026, through her Instagram account, where she shared her excitement about stepping into the role of the Bharat Ratna awardee. The film, tentatively titled MS – A Legacy On Screen, will be directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and features music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The project is set for a grand launch in Chennai on September 16, which marks the 110th birth anniversary of the iconic singer. The first look and official title of the film are scheduled to be revealed on the same day at 5:15 PM.
Rashmika Mandanna Shares Emotional Note on Instagram
The actor took to social media to express her feelings about taking on such a significant role. In her post, she wrote, “Some legends live beyond time. Some melodies live beyond generations. And some stories wait for the right moment to be told. Today, that journey begins and What an absolute honour it is.” The post also included details about the film’s crew, confirming that Gowtam Tinnanuri will direct the biopic and Anirudh Ravichander will handle the music. The title and first look poster are set to be revealed on September 16 at 5:15 PM, building anticipation among fans and the film industry alike.
Grand Launch Event in Chennai on September 16
The makers have planned a special launch event at The Music Academy in Chennai to coincide with M.S. Subbulakshmi’s 110th birth anniversary. Production house Geetha Arts announced the event on social media, stating, “A LEGACY begins with an unforgettable celebration. Witness the grand launch of #MS – A Legacy On Screen, celebrating Bharat Ratna #MSSubbulakshmi Amma’s 110th Birth Anniversary with Ulaganayagan @ikamalhaasan garu as the Chief Guest.” Veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan will attend the event as the chief guest. The Indian Choral Ensemble is also expected to pay tribute to the legendary vocalist by performing some of her iconic songs during the launch ceremony.
Who Was M.S. Subbulakshmi?
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, widely known as M.S. Subbulakshmi, was born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She was one of the most celebrated figures in the history of Carnatic music, a traditional style of South Indian classical music. Over a career that spanned nearly 70 years, she took Indian classical music to audiences around the world, performing in Europe, North America, and at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, where she became the first Indian musician to do so. Subbulakshmi was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1998. Her other major accolades included the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1974, the Padma Bhushan in 1954, and the Padma Vibhushan in 1975. She passed away on December 11, 2004, in Chennai, at the age of 88.
The Team Behind the Biopic
The biopic brings together a strong team of filmmakers and artistes. Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for directing films like Jersey and Kingdom, is at the helm of the project. Anirudh Ravichander, a popular composer in Tamil and Telugu cinema, will create the music for the film, a task that carries significant responsibility given the subject’s musical legacy. The film is produced by Allu Aravind under Geetha Arts, Rockline Venkatesh under Rockline Entertainment, and Bunny Vasu under Bunny Vas Works. The project is being planned as a pan-India film, with further details about the supporting cast and technical team expected to be revealed in the coming months.
A Role of Great Responsibility
Portraying M.S. Subbulakshmi is expected to be one of the most challenging roles of Rashmika Mandanna’s career. The legendary vocalist remains one of India’s most celebrated musical icons, and her life story offers a vast canvas for filmmakers to explore her personal and professional journey. Before Rashmika was confirmed for the role, reports suggested that actors like Sai Pallavi and Rukmini Vasanth were considered for the part, but the makers ultimately finalised Rashmika after she reportedly underwent a screen test.
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Rashmika Mandanna’s Upcoming Projects
Rashmika Mandanna has a busy schedule ahead. She will next be seen alongside Vijay Deverakonda in the period action drama Ranabaali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan, which is set against the backdrop of 19th-century British colonial rule. The film is slated for release on October 16, 2026. She will also headline the action film Mysaa, directed by Rawindra Pulle, scheduled to release on November 27, 2026.
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