# Maaran (2022 film)
**Maaran** (மாறன்) is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language action thriller directed by [Karthick Naren](https://www.edgepedia.org/karthick-naren), starring Dhanush as an investigative journalist who runs into danger after publishing an article exposing a corrupt politician.[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914) It was Dhanush's 43rd film and premiered directly on the streaming platform [Disney+ Hotstar](https://www.edgepedia.org/disney-hotstar) on 11 March 2022, skipping a theatrical release.[2](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/maaran-is-title-of-dhanushs-43rd-film-first-look-is-out/) • [3](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/not-12-am-dhanush-s-maaran-will-premiere-on-disney-hotstar-at-this-time-on-march-11-1923688-2022-03-10)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title and language | Maaran (மாறன்), Tamil-language action thriller[4](https://www.moviebuff.com/maaran) |
| Director and writers | Written and directed by Karthick Naren, with screenplay contributions from Sharfu, Suhas, and Vivek[2](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/maaran-is-title-of-dhanushs-43rd-film-first-look-is-out/) • [5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/maaran) |
| Lead cast | Dhanush as Mathimaaran Sathyamoorthy, Malavika Mohanan as Thara, Samuthirakani as Pazhani, Smruthi Venkat as Shwetha[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914) |
| Release | 11 March 2022, direct-to-streaming on Disney+ Hotstar at 5 pm IST[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/not-12-am-dhanush-s-maaran-will-premiere-on-disney-hotstar-at-this-time-on-march-11-1923688-2022-03-10) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes)[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914) |
| Music and crew | Music by G. V. Prakash Kumar; cinematography by Vivekanand Santhosham[6](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/maaran-movie-106259) |
| Reception | IMDb rating 4.4/10 from about 2,900 user votes[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914) |
## Spoilers
### Plot and cast
Dhanush plays Mathimaaran Sathyamoorthy, an honest investigative journalist; when he uncovers a scam and publishes evidence against the politician Pazhani ([Samuthirakani](https://www.edgepedia.org/samuthirakani)), the professional risks begin to threaten his personal life, and thugs come after him, his colleague Thara ([Malavika Mohanan](https://www.edgepedia.org/malavika-mohanan)), and his sister Shwetha (Smruthi Venkat).[10](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/25785/tamil/maaran/) • [9](https://www.netflixmovies.com/maaran-2022) The trailer showed Dhanush using his pen as a weapon in action scenes.[11](https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/entertainment/indian-cinema/maaran-malavika-mohanan-dhanush-features-investigative-journalist-direct-ott-disney-hotstar) The supporting cast includes Ramki as Sathyamoorthy, V. Jayaprakash as Kesavan, Ilavarasu as Aravindan, Aadukalam Naren, Bose Venkat, Mahendran, Krishnakumar Balasubramanian, Ameer Sultan, and Prashanth Rangaswamy.[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914)
## Production
Sathya Jyothi Films announced the title on 28 July 2021, releasing a first-look poster on Dhanush's 38th birthday and identifying the project as his 43rd film, carried under the working title D 43.[2](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/maaran-is-title-of-dhanushs-43rd-film-first-look-is-out/) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914) The film marked the first collaboration between Dhanush and Karthick Naren, whose earlier directorial work included *Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru* and *[Mafia: Chapter 1](https://www.edgepedia.org/mafia-chapter-1)*.[2](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/maaran-is-title-of-dhanushs-43rd-film-first-look-is-out/) • [7](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/never-bending-journalist-dhanush-clash-with-politicians-in-maaran.html) The banner had previously produced the Dhanush films *[Thodari](https://www.edgepedia.org/thodari)* (2016) and *[Pattas](https://www.edgepedia.org/pattas)* (2020), and Maaran was co-produced by G Saravanan and Sai Siddharth.[2](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/maaran-is-title-of-dhanushs-43rd-film-first-look-is-out/)
Shooting began in January 2021, halted during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, and resumed with a final schedule in July 2021 after the [Tamil Nadu](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-nadu) government permitted filming again.[2](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/maaran-is-title-of-dhanushs-43rd-film-first-look-is-out/) • [8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/news/2021/Sep/30/dhanushs-maaran-final-schedule-begins-26986.html) Lyricist-writer Vivek announced in March 2022 that he had left the screenplay and dialogue role because of creative differences, though he remained lyricist for two of the film's songs.[9](https://www.netflixmovies.com/maaran-2022)
## Release
The film was originally planned for theaters, but the production house opted for a direct digital release because of the pandemic and the crowded slate of theatrical releases; the motion poster in January 2022 announced the Disney+ Hotstar premiere, and the film began streaming at 5 pm on 11 March 2022 rather than at midnight.[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/not-12-am-dhanush-s-maaran-will-premiere-on-disney-hotstar-at-this-time-on-march-11-1923688-2022-03-10) • [12](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/dhanush-s-maaran-to-premiere-directly-on-disney-hotstar-watch-motion-poster-1900442-2022-01-15) It was Dhanush's third consecutive direct-to-OTT release, following *Jagame Thandhiram* and *Atrangi Re*.[13](https://www.ottplay.com/news/ott-release-time-of-dhanush-malavika-mohanans-maaran-on-disney-hotstar-details-inside/1657c14fd7528) Trade analyst Ramesh Bala, an entertainment industry tracker, told The Quint that the producer's decision rested on the box-office reception and economics of its earlier releases *Anbarivu* and *Pattas*, since a direct OTT deal assured a profitable sum.[11](https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/entertainment/indian-cinema/maaran-malavika-mohanan-dhanush-features-investigative-journalist-direct-ott-disney-hotstar) The marketing used the "Twitter Unlock" feature, making Maaran the first Tamil film whose trailer was unveiled by fans.[11](https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/entertainment/indian-cinema/maaran-malavika-mohanan-dhanush-features-investigative-journalist-direct-ott-disney-hotstar) A Malayalam-dubbed version was certified by the [Central Board of Film Certification](https://www.edgepedia.org/central-board-of-film-certification) on 13 April 2022 with a UA certificate and a listed video runtime of 132.26 minutes.[14](https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/assets/pdf/CC_Issued_2022.pdf)
## Reception
Audience aggregation sites recorded low ratings: IMDb listed 4.4/10 from about 2,900 votes, and Gadgets 360 showed a user rating of 2.2/5.[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914) • [6](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/maaran-movie-106259) Nowrunning's single critic review scored it 2.0, calling it "an attempted star-vehicle for Dhanush that is lethargic and misses the mark by a yard or two".[10](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/25785/tamil/maaran/) Rotten Tomatoes listed no Tomatometer reviews and fewer than 50 audience ratings.[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/maaran) At the Edison Awards India 2022, Malavika Mohanan received a Merit Award nomination for Favourite Actress.[15](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914/awards/)
## Same-title films
The title has been reused in Indian cinema. An earlier Tamil film called Maaran was released in 2002, so the makers of the 2022 film obtained a no-objection certificate from that film's producer before announcing their title.[9](https://www.netflixmovies.com/maaran-2022) A separate Gujarati film also titled Maaran, directed by Abhishek Jain and starring Yash Soni and Deeksha Joshi, won Best Gujarati Film at the 72nd [National Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-film-awards) before its 2026 theatrical release.[16](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/gujarati/movies/news/it-doesnt-get-bigger-than-this-maaran-team-on-national-award-win/amp_articleshow/132497139.cms)
## References
1. [Maaran (2022), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914)
2. [Maaran is the Title of Dhanush's 43rd Film, First Look is Out, Silverscreen India](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/maaran-is-title-of-dhanushs-43rd-film-first-look-is-out/)
3. [Not 12 am, Dhanush's Maaran will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar at THIS time on March 11, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/not-12-am-dhanush-s-maaran-will-premiere-on-disney-hotstar-at-this-time-on-march-11-1923688-2022-03-10)
4. [Maaran (2022), Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/maaran)
5. [Maaran, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/maaran)
6. [Maaran Movie (2022), Gadgets 360](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/maaran-movie-106259)
7. [Dhanush's powerful role as a journalist in Maaran revealed, Behindwoods](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/never-bending-journalist-dhanush-clash-with-politicians-in-maaran.html)
8. [Dhanush's Maaran final schedule begins, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/news/2021/Sep/30/dhanushs-maaran-final-schedule-begins-26986.html)
9. [Maaran (2022) on Netflix, NetflixMovies.com](https://www.netflixmovies.com/maaran-2022)
10. [Maaran Tamil Movie, Nowrunning](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/25785/tamil/maaran/)
11. [Here's Why Dhanush's 'Maaran' Is Also Going Straight To OTT After 'Atrangi Re', The Quint](https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/entertainment/indian-cinema/maaran-malavika-mohanan-dhanush-features-investigative-journalist-direct-ott-disney-hotstar)
12. [Dhanush's Maaran to premiere directly on Disney+Hotstar, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/dhanush-s-maaran-to-premiere-directly-on-disney-hotstar-watch-motion-poster-1900442-2022-01-15)
13. [OTT release time of Dhanush, Malavika Mohanan's Maaran on Disney+ Hotstar, OTTplay](https://www.ottplay.com/news/ott-release-time-of-dhanush-malavika-mohanans-maaran-on-disney-hotstar-details-inside/1657c14fd7528)
14. [List of feature films certified in 2022, CBFC India](https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/assets/pdf/CC_Issued_2022.pdf)
15. [Maaran (2022) Awards, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11730914/awards/)
16. [It doesn't get bigger than this: Maaran team on National Award win, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/gujarati/movies/news/it-doesnt-get-bigger-than-this-maaran-team-on-national-award-win/amp_articleshow/132497139.cms)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Tamil films of the 2020s › Tamil films of 2022 and 2023*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
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