Rashmika Mandanna to play the legendary singer M.S. Subbulakshmi in ‘MS – A Legacy On Screen’. Kollywood composer Anirudh Ravichander to handle the music.

At the Music Academy in Chennai, the makers officially announced the project. The event was held in memory of the vocalist’s 110th birth anniversary.

Kamal Haasan, Rashmika, Suhasini, Producers Allu Aravind, Rockline Venkatesh, Bunny Vas and many other film industry figures were also present at the event.

Gowtam Tinnanuri, who previously directed ‘Jersey’ and ‘Kingdom’, will helm the project. Meanwhile, Rashmika Mandanna will portray the South Indian vocalist on screen.

The ‘Animal’ actress conveyed her gratitude for having a chance to portray a legendary icon.

“My heart is filled with gratitude for receiving this incredible opportunity as an actress. I promise to give my complete dedication to this role and do everything I can to portray M.S. Subbulakshmi Amma in a way that all of you will cherish and appreciate,” Rashmika said.

For Anirudh Ravichander, this is a change from his usual choice of films. Actor Kamal Haasan says that the project could change the composer’s trajectory.

“Just like Balachandar sir got a turnaround with ‘Arangetram,’ and just like K. Viswanath’s trajectory changed after ‘Sankarabharanam,’ I feel Anirudh’s musical trajectory is going to change with this film,” Haasan said.

I want it to change. Please convey this to Anirudh. Because I like the way he’s travelling now. And he’s going further,” he was seen saying at the event, he added.

The Legacy of M.S. Subbulakshmi

M.S. Subbulakshmi, born into a musical family, began her musical journey at the age of ten.

It was her husband, journalist and freedom fighter T. Sadasivam, who discovered her potential and pushed her into the film industry.

Wanting her to get more opportunities in cinema, he produced the 1945 film Meera, based on the life of the poet-saint Mirabai. Subbulakshmi played the lead role along with singing all 20 songs in the film.

Meera became a cult classic in Tamil and the makers later released it in Hindi. This brought her widespread popularity across the country.

She is also the first Indian musician to sing at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966.

Her musical journey continued until her husband’s death in 1997. She passed away at the age of 88 in 2004.