Ashwath Marimuthu is one of the most sought-after directors in South India. The multifaceted filmmaker is still basking in the success of Dragon, which starred Pradeep Ranganathan, Anupama Parameswaran and Kayadu Lohar in pivotal roles.

The colourful rom-com excelled at the box office, raising expectations for Ashwath’s next venture. For the uninitiated, the talented filmmaker announced his arrival in Kollywood with Oh My Kadavule (2020), and since then he has continued to enchant audiences with his cinematic endeavours.

What has fans particularly excited is his upcoming project with Silambarasan, tentatively titled STR 51. A glimpse of the film was released earlier this year, but since then the makers have shared no further official updates.

Addressing the rumours himself, Ashwath outrightly dismissed suggestions that Silambarasan’s behaviour caused the delay. “There have been several reports about STR 51’s delay. I really like Silambarasan sir — he has never been the reason for any delay. In fact, he is always ready and is set to arrive on set whenever I call him. The man is truly disciplined and fit,” he said.

“I take time to write my scripts. Spending time with family is also a priority for me. Having spent a great deal of time on the sets of Dragon, it is only recently that I have been able to spend time with my parents, as I have been dealing with their health issues. Now I will fully focus on the film. The Silambarasan film will release next year; it will be an entertainer and the actor will be back in top form. Just like the promo, the film will be brimming with energy,” Ashwath assured.

“This film will carry the same adrenaline rush you experienced in Dragon and the romance you felt in Oh My Kadavule,” he added.

The much-awaited film will reflect STR’s peak-era charm, as seen in his films such as Kuthu and Manmadhan. Titled STR 51, the actor plays the ‘God of Love’; the film is slated for release in summer 2026.

Excitement is soaring as Silambarasan’s fans eagerly await further updates. (With inputs from Agencies)