Rashmika Mandanna will play Bharat Ratna Carnatic legend MS Subbulakshmi in a new biopic, with music by Anirudh Ravichander and direction by Gowtam Tinnanuri (Jersey, Kingdom).

Makers Geetha Arts, Rockline Entertainment and Bunny Vas Works (Allu Aravind, Rockline Venkatesh, Bunny Vasu) said the launch is timed for the singer’s 110th birth anniversary. The grand kickoff is at Chennai’s Music Academy, with Kamal Haasan as chief guest and a live performance of MS’s songs by The Indian Choral Ensemble. The project is being billed as MS – A Legacy On Screen.

A press note stresses years of work on rights, permissions, literary sources and family associations so the story can be told with respect. Full cast and crew beyond the headline names are still awaited.