Thalaivar 173 Official Update: Cibi Chakaravarthi Set To Direct Rajinikanth's Next, Produced By Kamal Haasan

Thalaivar 173 Update: An official update regarding Thalaivar 173 was announced today, confirming that filmmaker Cibi Chakaravarthi will direct Rajinikanth's 173rd film. The project is being produced by Kamal Haasan under the Raaj Kamal Films International banner. The announcement was made through a poster released on social media, formally closing weeks of speculation surrounding the film's directorial choice.

The development comes after filmmaker Sundar C stepped away from the project earlier, citing unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances. Following his exit, the makers reportedly held discussions with multiple filmmakers before finalizing Cibi Chakaravarthi. The official announcement confirms that the director of Don will now helm the high-profile collaboration.

Since Kamal Haasan publicly confirmed that Rajinikanth's next film would be produced under his banner, the project has remained under close industry watch. Scripts from multiple directors were reportedly considered for the project. Sundar C's narration had initially led to his appointment, but his subsequent decision to exit reopened the search for a director.

Cibi Chakaravarthi made his directorial debut in 2022 with Don, starring Sivakarthikeyan. The film emerged as a major commercial success and brought the director into the spotlight. With Thalaivar 173, Cibi now steps into his second directorial venture, this time with one of Tamil cinema's most anticipated combinations.

Interestingly, industry sources note that Cibi had narrated a story to Rajinikanth a few years ago, which did not progress at the time. It is not yet known whether the current film is based on that earlier narration or a completely new script. The makers have not shared story details so far.

Thalaivar 173: Production Update And Release Timeline

Raaj Kamal Films International announced the project with a poster carrying the tagline "Every Family Has A Hero." The film will feature music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking another collaboration between the composer and the lead actor. R. Mahendran is also one of the producers along with Kamal Haasan.

Thalaivar 173 is particularly notable as it brings Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan together after a gap of 46 years. Kamal Haasan had earlier confirmed the project while speaking at the NEXA SIIMA Awards 2025. The film is slated for a theatrical release during Pongal 2027.

With the director now officially announced, further updates regarding casting, shooting schedules, and additional technical details are expected in the coming days as the project moves into active production.