Cibi Chakaravarthi to Direct Rajinikanth in Tentative ‘Thalaivar 173’
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Rajinikanth’s highly anticipated next film, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173, will be directed by Cibi Chakaravarthi and produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, with a projected release for Pongal 2027. The announcement follows the departure of director Sundar C from the project late last year.
A Dream Realized for Director Chakaravarthi
On Saturday, Raaj Kamal Films International officially confirmed Chakaravarthi’s appointment, stating in a social media post, “Every HERO has a FAMILY. #Arambikalama #Thalaivar173 #SuperStarPongal2027.” The selection of Chakaravarthi comes after speculation surrounding potential directors including Nelson Dilipkumar and Lokesh Kanagraj.
Chakaravarthi himself expressed profound gratitude and excitement, recounting his long-held ambition to work with the “SUPER STAR.” In a heartfelt statement, he wrote, “Once, a small-town boy’s big dream was to meet his favourite star… and direct his Superstar. He came so close, but got missed. Then he continued to believe it would happen one day — and today is that day.” He further acknowledged the support of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Mahendran, promising to dedicate himself fully to the project.
From ‘Don’ to Directing a Superstar
For those unfamiliar, Cibi Chakaravarthi made his directorial debut in Kollywood with the 2022 coming-of-age comedy Don, starring Sivakarthikeyan. Following the film’s release, Chakaravarthi shared a photo with Rajinikanth, describing their hour-long conversation about Don, life, and cinema as a “divine” experience. He had previously spoken publicly about his admiration for the Tamil star and his desire to collaborate.
Sundar C’s Brief Stint and Subsequent Exit
Raaj Kamal Films International initially announced Sundar C as the director for Thalaivar 173 on November 5 of last year. The announcement received a mixed response, with some expressing disappointment. However, just eight days later, on November 13, Sundar C announced his withdrawal from the film due to “unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances.” Rumors circulated suggesting his script was rejected, but his wife, actor-politician Khushbu Sundar, dismissed these claims as “hearsay,” publicly affirming her respect for Kamal Haasan, whom she described as an “encyclopedia of cinema.”
According to a statement from Kamal Haasan, the production house prioritizes a script that resonates with the lead actor, stating, “As an investor, I want a script that my star likes for the film. That is the healthy way to go about it.”
A Long-Awaited Collaboration
Both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have hinted at a potential collaboration for some time, even before the release of Rajinikanth’s 2025 film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Kamal Haasan recently appeared in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life and is currently working on an undisclosed project. Rajinikanth is slated to star in Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer 2 prior to Thalaivar 173.
The pairing of these two titans of Tamil cinema, coupled with the appointment of a passionate new director, signals a potentially landmark moment for the industry.
