Dharman director Ashwath Marimuthu has publicly backed Rishikanth after watching Modha Rathiri, which began streaming on Netflix on 18 September.

On X he wrote that he’s rooting for the young actor, has followed him since the Temple Monkeys days, loved the film, and would love to direct him one day. Rishikanth replied that the note meant a lot and he hopes it happens soon.

Modha Rathiri is Rishikanth’s first lead role — a wedding-night comedy-drama written and directed by debutant Raja Karuppasamy, co-starring Anishma Anilkumar. Mythri Movie Makers produced. Rishikanth is next in Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy (25 September).