A film that has been much talked about right from the moment it went on floors, the ambitious upcoming biopic on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa titled Thalaivi has National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut portraying the late stateswoman. Among the several huge highlights in the film is also the inclusion of Arvind Swami portraying legendary actor and late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, popularly known among the masses and the classes as MGR. Directed by A. L. Vijay and produced by Vishnu Vardhan Induri and Shailesh R Singh under the Vibri Media banner, new stills from Thalaivi featuring Arvind Swami as 'Puratchi Thalaivar' Dr. MGR has now been unveiled on Thursday to mark the iconic Tamil Nadu statesman's 33rd death anniversary.

The Thalaivi team had earlier on the 103rd birth anniversary of MGR released the first look of Arvind Swami as the late Tamil Nadu film and political icon. Speaking about Arvind Swami's look as MGR to Times of India, Thalaivi Creative Producer Brinda Prasad said, "MGR has been one of the most widely respected and loved figures amongst the people of Tamil Nadu. We, as the makers, had to be extremely cautious about the presentation of a personality who is so great in stature. We have made a conscious effort to not just ace the look, but also emulate the characteristics of the legendary hero and Arvind Swami has been the apt choice for the role." Sharing the stills of himself as MGR on his Twitter page, Arvind Swami wrote, "It was not just an honour to play the role of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR, but a great responsibility. I thank director A.L. Vijay & producers  @vishinduri    @shaaileshrsingh  for having faith in me. I humbly post these pics in Thalaivar’s memory, today. #Thalaivi #MGR #ArvindSwamiasMGR".

Thalaivi, which will trace the life history of J. Jayalalithaa being portrayed by Kangana Ranaut, will have Arvind Swami as MGR, who was a mentor figure to her. The late actor-turned-politician went on to form the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) after quitting from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1972 and emerged victorious in the Tamil Nadu elections in 1977. He served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for ten consecutive years until his demise on December 24, 1987. Apart from Kangana Ranaut and Arvind Swami, Thalaivi includes several other notable names such as Prakash Raj, Jisshu Sengupta, Poorna, Madhoo, Bhagyashree in pivotal roles, with music being composed by GV Prakash, while legendary writer KV Vijayendra Prasad has penned the film's screenplay. It is to be noted that the makers had also released a short promo featuring Arvind Swami as MGR, which went on to receive a huge response from fans.