GDN is a much-awaited biographical period film, whose trailer has already been launched on social media platforms. It gives people their first glimpse of how actor R Madhavan transforms himself into the iconic figure of Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, popularly known as the "Edison of India".
The film is directed by Krishnakumar Ramakumar, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Madhavan. Following his widespread critical acclaim for portraying scientist Nambi Narayanan in 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect', Madhavan once again steps into the shoes of a formidable real-life historical figure. In GDN, he portrays multiple stages of Naidu's life, spanning from his determined younger years to his old age, a phase in which the actor appears almost unrecognisable.
The trailer that lasts about three minutes begins with the speculations concerning the later life of Naidu, with a popular belief that he had gone mad and destroyed his own building. Further, it depicts the amazing story of a great man from a simple inventor to an industrialist who created the UMS transportation system and also founded some of the first-ever polytechnics in India. This trailer also emphasises the tough resistance of Naidu against the establishment of that era. At one point of time, an Englishman questions, "Who the hell is this fakir?" And immediately comes the tag line of the movie, "Feared by the British. Forgotten by his countrymen."
Furthermore, the trailer teases the numerous personal and professional challenges that shaped Naidu's life, including aggressive police raids, fabricated allegations of tax evasion, and a serious charge of treason stemming from his business dealings with the Nazis, all of which set up the central conflict of the film. GDN features an impressive ensemble cast including Sathyaraj, Jayaram, Priyamani, Vinay Rai, Dushara Vijayan, and Aditi Balan. The film's background score has been composed by Govind Vasantha, while Aravind Kamalanathan serves as the cinematographer. Produced by Varghese Moolan Pictures in association with Madhavan's Tricolour Films, the trailer was unveiled during a special launch event at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore, the hometown of GD Naidu himself. GDN is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026.