Yhe official announcement of Superstar Rajinikanth's 'Thalaivar' 171' directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj was released recently by Sun Pictures. It was initially reported that Kamal Haasan would be producing the project but it has changed hands. Meanwhile the Ulaganayagan was awarded Best Actor (Special Jury) for the blockbuster hit 'Vikram' at the SIIMA Awards held in Dubai last night.

Speaking at the event Kamal stated that he is honored that his fan Lokesh Kanagaraj is directing his next film ('Thalaivar 171') with his close friend Rajinikanth as the hero. The legendary actor further stated that the strong friendship that he and Rajini share was never witnessed in cinema before and he urged the current generation to follow it.

Kamal also added that friendship does not mean that there is no competition and that he and Rajinikanth will compete hard at the box office but never trip one another down or enjoy the other's failures. He attributed the success of their respective careers to that spirit of rivarly in spite of close friendship.

Kamal also gave the hot update that he is growing a beard for Mani Ratnam's next movie 'KH 234'. He stressed that just like how they both worked with enthusiasm as youngsters for 'Nayagan' they are also repeating it for the new movie. The film set to go on floors sometime in early 2024 is said to costar Trisha, Jayam Ravi and Dulquer Salmaan.

Kamal will also simultaneously shoot for 'KH 233' directed by H. Vinoth and also host 'Bigg Boss Tamil 7'. As the leader of the Makkal Needhi Maiam political party the 68 year old will also actively campaign for the Rahul Gandhi led I.N.D.I.A. front in the parliamentary elections in mid 2024.