Rajinikanth’s much-awaited Thalaivar 173 has finally received its official title, Dharman – The Deadly Doctor. Along with the title announcement, the makers also unveiled the film’s first-look poster,
offering a glimpse into Rajinikanth’s intense and powerful new avatar.
Taking to their Instagram handle, Raaj Kamal Films International shared the first look poster. The poster showcases Rajinikanth in a powerful avatar, hinting at a character who is both a doctor and a rebel. As soon as the title was revealed, fans reacted with fire and heart emojis. One of the fans wrote, “It’s looking like legend Saravanan.” Another wrote, “Rajini Ranganathan.”
Take a look here:
The film has witnessed several developments behind the scenes since its announcement. And now it looks like it is undergoing another creative reshuffle. The makers has officially announced Dragon and Oh My Kadavule director Ashwath Marimuthu as the film’s director.
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. Hrithik Roshan is also set to appear in a cameo role.
