'Thalaivar 173': Who'll direct Rajinikanth's film after Sundar C's exit?
What's the story
Superstar Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are set to collaborate on the upcoming film Thalaivar 173, with Haasan serving as the producer. The project was initially announced with Sundar C as the director, but he recently stepped down due to "unforeseen circumstances." Now, reports suggest that the makers are considering two directors for this venture: Nithilan Saminathan and Ramkumar Balakrishnan.
Director profiles
Saminathan and Balakrishnan: The contenders
Both Saminathan and Balakrishnan have previously delivered critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Saminathan directed the 2024 action-thriller Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap. The film tells the story of a barber from Chennai who embarks on a quest to retrieve a cherished trash can before his daughter returns from a sports meet.
Other contender
Balakrishnan's 'Parking': A black comedy thriller
On the other hand, Balakrishnan is known for his 2023 black comedy thriller Parking. The film stars Harish Kalyan and MS Bhaskar in lead roles and revolves around a 28-year-old IT professional, Eeshwar, who moves into a new home with his pregnant wife. The plot thickens when Eeshwar purchases a car and uses the only parking space at their residence, leading to an ego clash with his neighbor.
Director announcement
'Thalaivar 173' director to be announced soon
The final decision on the director for Thalaivar 173 will be made after Rajinikanth and the production company give their approval, reported Pinkvilla. Meanwhile, Rajinikanth is currently gearing up for his lead role in Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. The film is expected to hit theaters by mid-2026.