Nagarjuna has publicly praised the first glimpse of Pa Ranjith‘s upcoming Tamil film Vettuvam, giving a special shoutout to his daughter-in-law Sobhita Dhulipala for her dedication to the project. The four-minute video, titled World of Vettuvam, was released on Friday, September 18, 2026, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the ambitious sci-fi action drama.
Nagarjuna Calls Sobhita’s Work Remarkable
Sobhita Dhulipala stars as Radhi in Vettuvam, and the glimpse shows her attending group sessions with the cast, preparing for action sequences, and practising traditional martial arts movements. Impressed by her commitment, Nagarjuna took to X to share his thoughts.
Wow I love the world building!! looks like you put in a lot of work Sobhita … Looks too good. Waiting for this one!!
The actor’s reaction comes after the December 2024 wedding of his son, Naga Chaitanya, to Sobhita Dhulipala in a private ceremony in Hyderabad. Nagarjuna had previously shared his warmth for his daughter-in-law, welcoming her into the family publicly.
Inside the World of Vettuvam Glimpse
The World of Vettuvam glimpse introduces a world shaped by power struggles, survival, and traditional combat practices. The footage reveals that the film’s central conflict revolves around Indra Vizha, a grand competition where different groups battle for a position of leadership. The action draws from ancient Indian martial arts, including Adi Murai and Mallakhamba.
Director Pa Ranjith explains the meaning behind the film’s title in the video.
Vettai is when an animal is attacked or killed by a human being for protection or food. Vettuvam is when animals or clans of humans fight among themselves to prove their power and strength over the other.
The narrative connects ancient tribal heritage with contemporary power dynamics, exploring how the actions of people from the past shape the present and determine the future. The film spans three distinct time periods — the past, present, and future.
A Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
Vettuvam features a deep ensemble cast led by VR Dinesh as Nandhan, Arya as Dharmarajan, and Sobhita Dhulipala as Radhi. The film also stars Shabeer Kallarakkal as Sembiyan, Kalaiyarasan as Veeravarman, along with Guru Somasundaram, Mime Gopi, John Vijay, Sai Dheena, Anand Saami, Harish Uthaman, and Lizzy in key supporting roles.
Sobhita Dhulipala recently opened up about her character, describing Radhi as a departure from typical female roles in action films. She called the character “really a badass” and highlighted that Radhi is not relegated to the emotional sidelines but actively drives the action herself.
Behind the Camera: The Technical Team
GV Prakash Kumar has composed the music for Vettuvam, marking a departure from Pa Ranjith’s frequent collaboration with Santhosh Narayanan, who serves as a co-writer on the project along with Chenthilkumar. Franklin Jacob has written the dialogues.
The film’s cinematography is handled by Roopesh Shaji, with Selva RK as the editor and SS Murthi as the art director. The action sequences have been choreographed by Dhilip Subbarayan, one of Tamil cinema’s most respected stunt coordinators.
From Cannes Announcement to Pan-India Release
Vettuvam was first publicly revealed at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, when Pa Ranjith unveiled the film’s first-look poster. At that time, the project was described as a rural gangster drama. However, the film underwent a major creative transformation in the years that followed.
Pa Ranjith explained that he initially wrote Vettuvam as a gangster film but later questioned what he truly wanted to say. The subject remained connected to power-sharing, but he eventually decided the original gangster setting no longer interested him. He kept the characters but changed their world completely, transforming the film into a science fiction and futuristic drama.
The film is backed by Pa Ranjith’s Neelam Productions and Learn & Teach Productions. Vettuvam marks Ranjith’s eighth feature film as a director, following his 2024 release Thangalaan.
Pan-India Release Set for December 2026
Vettuvam is confirmed for a December 2026 theatrical release in five languages: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. The pan-India release marks Pa Ranjith’s first film to be positioned for audiences across multiple Indian languages.
The film’s first poster, released on September 17, 2026, featured performers climbing a vertical pole, sparking curiosity about the traditional sport of Mallakhamba and its role in the narrative.
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Industry Reactions Pour In
Nagarjuna’s praise is not the only high-profile reaction to the World of Vettuvam glimpse. Several prominent filmmakers and actors across Indian cinema have shared their thoughts on the project. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj called the world of Vettuvam “stunning” and praised the cast and crew for their effort. Rishab Shetty described the glimpse as “powerful and exciting,” while Rana Daggubati said the film introduces “a whole new world.” Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also expressed excitement over Pa Ranjith’s vision.
The positive reception across industries reflects the anticipation surrounding Ranjith’s first pan-India venture and the unique genre positioning of Vettuvam as a blend of action, science fiction, and traditional martial arts.
Also Read: Vettuvam Glimpse: Pa Ranjith Teases a Dystopian World of Sport, Power and Survival
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