Rajinikanth Teams Up with Cibi Chakravarthi for Thalaivar173

Superstar Rajinikanth has officially finalized the director for his much-anticipated next film, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173. After considering several young filmmakers from both Tamil and Telugu cinema, the iconic actor has given his nod to Cibi Chakravarthi, best known for directing the Sivakarthikeyan starrer Don.

The makers formally announced the project today, confirming that the film is being planned as a grand theatrical release for Pongal 2027, setting the stage for a major festive box-office outing.

The prestigious project is being co-produced by legendary actor Kamal Haasan along with R. Mahendran under the banner of Raaj Kamal Films International. Notably, Thalaivar173 was initially launched with Sundar C as the director. However, he exited the project due to creative differences over the script.

Following his exit, Kamal Haasan reportedly shortlisted multiple promising young directors and organized story narrations for Rajinikanth. Among all the narrations, Cibi Chakravarthi’s script is said to have impressed the superstar the most, ultimately earning him the responsibility of directing the high-profile film.

Interestingly, Cibi Chakravarthi had earlier narrated a script to Nani, but that project did not materialize despite prolonged discussions. Now, with Thalaivar173, the filmmaker has landed the biggest opportunity of his career, marking a major turning point in his professional journey.

Music for the film will be composed by Anirudh Ravichander, whose association further elevates expectations. The first poster of the project carries the tagline, “Every family has a hero,” hinting at a powerful, emotionally rooted narrative designed to appeal across generations.

With Rajinikanth’s unmatched screen presence, strong production backing, and a young director bringing fresh perspective, Thalaivar173 is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly awaited films of the coming years, with all eyes now set on its Sankranthi 2027 release.