Thalaivar 173: Cibi Chakravarthy Continues As Director For Rajinikanth And Kamal Haasan's Film?

Fresh reports surrounding Thalaivar 173 have put an end to ongoing speculation about director Cibi Chakravarthy being replaced from the much-awaited project starring Rajinikanth. According to the latest buzz in the Tamil film industry, the filmmaker continues to remain attached to the project despite rumours suggesting a possible change in direction.

Times Now has mentioned that reports began circulating that Cibi Chakravarthy had exited the project due to creative differences. According to the latest reports, Rajinikanth requested certain changes in the script, and Cibi Chakravarthy is currently working on those revisions. At the same time, reports mentioned that Ashwath Marimuthu is being considered as an option. However, an official confirmation

is still awaited. Kamal Haasan has reportedly supported Cibi’s involvement. So far, the makers have released only the first-look poster.

The film was announced in January 2026 and has been tentatively titled Thalaivar 173. The announcement created huge excitement among fans, as it will be bringing together two legends of Tamil cinema, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.

Sundar C’s Exit From Thalaivar 173

Initially, director Sundar C was announced to direct the film but he later stepped away from the project citing “unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances.” Following this, Cibi Chakravarthy was officially announced as the new director. Rumours suggest that Sai Pallavi and Kathir are in early talks to join the team. However, an official update is awaited. Meanwhile, Anirudh Ravichander will compose the music for the film.

What Lies Ahead For Thalaiva

On the work front, Rajinikanth is gearing up for Jailer 2, the sequel to Nelson Dilipkumar’s 2023 blockbuster. The upcoming film is expected to raise the stakes significantly, with Muthuvel Pandian facing even more formidable threats. Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar are likely to reprise their roles, while Mithun Chakraborty and Vidya Balan are also expected to play key parts.

Kamal Haasan’s Recent Works

Haasan was recently seen in films like Thug Life, Vikram and Kalki 2989 AD. He also made a powerful comeback with Indian 2. In 2025, Kamal starred in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, which is currently streaming on OTT giant Netflix.