Hyderabad, November 5, 2025 – Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media unveiled a five-film slate spanning Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, including its productions and co-productions, marking a new chapter for the studio. This includes Spirit Media’s first Hindi production – an adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s acclaimed novel Last Man in Tower, directed by Ben Rekhi and starring Manoj Bajpayee. This announcement comes ahead of the studio’s first home production release – Kaantha, the Tamil period-noir drama thriller starring Dulquer Salmaan and directed by Selvamani Selvaraj.
Talking about his association with Spirit Media for Kaantha, Dulquer Salmaan said, “I heard the story of Kaantha in 2019 and fell in love instantly. It truly is a labour of love and one of the most special films in my career. The process of partnering with newer creative talent and Rana as a producer has been a really fulfilling experience. Stories like these are rare and few, and I’m just thrilled to have had a chance to work with the team that is as excited about the story as I am”
Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media Steps Into Hindi Cinema
“With Kaantha releasing soon, I’m thrilled to announce Spirit’s Hindi production debut with the adaptation of Last Man in Tower,” said Rana Daggubati, Founder of Spirit Media. He added “Manoj Bajpayee has played so many iconic roles, and to partner with him on a story like this – we couldn’t have had a better team of collaborators to do our first Hindi film with. With Kaantha, the adaptation of Last Man in Tower, and the other films we’re supporting in different capacities – have all given us a chance to partner with different creative teams – directors, writers and producers. Our goal remains to shape Spirit Media into a creative home for independent producers, a space that nurtures collaboration and storytelling across industries and languages.”
The film adaptation of Last Man in Tower brings together an exceptional team of creative collaborators from across the world to reimagine the story for the screen. The untitled film delves into the moral compromises that accompany ambition, the fragility of human relationships under pressure, and the shifting fabric of contemporary India, reflecting Spirit Media’s creative pursuit of finding the human pulse within grand, layered narratives.
Talking about the adaptation, director Ben Rekhi said, “Aravind Adiga is one of the greatest writers of our generation, and once again he is ahead of his time. I’m so thrilled to have worked with such incredible collaborators to bring his brilliant book to life.”
Speaking about the adaptation, Manoj Bajpai said, “When a book with such depth moves to screen, the responsibility is both meaningful and inspiring. And with Rana Daggubati’s studio behind it, there is a strong sense of purpose and backing. Their belief in sincere storytelling gives the film the space and confidence it deserves. Working with Ben Rekhi has been a very rewarding experience. I have been fortunate to work alongside extremely talented co-actors who brought honesty and depth to every moment. It elevated the experience in the truest sense.”
Spirit Media Reveals Five-Film Slate Across Three Languages – Dulquer Salmaan’s Kaantha Leads Spirit Media’s New Lineup
Spirit Media’s upcoming line-up spans a dynamic mix of languages and genres reflecting the studio’s ongoing mission to build a collaborative, cross-industry film ecosystem. The slate includes:
● Kaantha (Tamil) – A period noir drama-thriller starring Dulquer Salmaan, directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, and co-produced with Wayfarer Films. Set for release on November 14, Kaantha marks one of the year’s most anticipated Tamil releases.
● Untitled Adaptation of Last Man in Tower (Hindi) – A drama thriller based on Aravind Adiga’s novel, starring Manoj Bajpayee directed by Ben Rekhi, marking Spirit Media’s first Hindi-language production.
● Dark Chocolate (Telugu) – A pulpy thriller dark-comedy co-produced with Waltair Productions- one of Spirit Media’s long-time indie collaborators.
● Psyche Siddharth (Telugu) – A debut feature from a promising new filmmaker, presented and distributed by Spirit Media, underscoring the studio’s support for emerging talent.
● Premante (Telugu) – A love-comedy-thriller backed by Spirit Media and debut producer Jhanvi Narang.
Spirit Media has steadily emerged as one of India’s most forward-thinking creative studios — nurturing collaborations that balance commercial sensibilities with artistic depth. The company’s philosophy is rooted in discovering stories with cultural resonance and cinematic ambition, while providing a home for independent producers and filmmakers across industries.
The studio also recently backed Indian independent films including the Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light and Sundance winner Sabar Bonda both directed by debut filmmakers – Payal Kapadia and Rohan Kanawade, by distributing them across India theatrically – leading the path for independent alternative films distribution in India.
As the company continues to grow its partnerships and expand its network of independent producers, this line-up serves as a testament to its vision for a unified, genre-fluid Indian film ecosystem, one that celebrates the diversity, ambition, and boundless spirit of Indian cinema in all its forms.
About Spirit Media
Founded in 2005 by Rana Daggubati, Spirit Media is a new-age media business specializing in original content development and distribution, talent management, creative brand marketing services, and a blockchain-enabled digital content marketplace. With substantial investments in world-class infrastructure, content libraries, and intellectual properties, Spirit Media – with its headquarters in Hyderabad, India, is positioned to deliver unique and engaging narratives that resonate with audiences.
