‘Thalaivar 173’: Cibi Chakaravarthi joins Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan starrer as the director

Director Cibi Chakaravarthi has joined Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan’s much anticipated collaboration, Thalaivar 173, the makers announced on Saturday, January 3, 2026 through a social media post. Earlier, filmmaker Sundar C was attached to the project, who later decided to step back from it.

The film is backed by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International. The banner made the announcement by sharing a poster with the subtitle, “Every family has a hero.” The film will have music by Anirudh.

Cibi is known for directing the Sivakarthikeyan starrer Don(2022).

Days after being roped in as the director for the movie in November last year, Sundar stepped back from the project. The seasoned director said that he had to quit the film due to “unforeseen and unavoidable circumstance.” Sundar had directed Rajinikanth in Arunachalam (1997) and Kamal Haasan in Anbe Sivam (2003).

Explaining his decision, Sundar had written in the press release, “In life, there are moments when we must follow the path laid out for us, even if it diverges from our dreams. My association with these two icons (Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan) goes back a long way. I will always hold them in the highest regard.”

Thalaivar 173 is set to bring together Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth after 46 years. The project was confirmed by Haasan while speaking at the NEXA SIIMA Awards 2025. It will be released by Red Giant Movies during Pongal 2027.