Tamil cinema’s next big‑ticket title, Thalaivar 173, has been the subject of feverish speculation ever since its launch under the banner of Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI). The project built around superstar Rajinikanth is already official RKFI territory, confirmed in late 2025 when the production house announced it as a landmark collaboration and slated it for a 2027 Pongal release.
After an unexpected shakeup in the directorial seat, talk has now centered on Cibi Chakravarthy, the filmmaker whose debut feature Don turned heads both critically and commercially. The chatter arrives against the backdrop of Sundar C’s sudden exit from the project in November 2025, an event that left fans and media scrambling for clarity. Reports from the time noted Sundar C’s withdrawal and RKFI’s search for a new director, with Kamal Haasan stressing that the script must meet the star’s expectations before finalization.
Why Chakravarthy? His first film, Don (2022), was a noteworthy debut that crossed major box‑office milestones quickly, highlighting his potential to handle large, mass‑appeal entertainers. Don reportedly hit the ₹100 crore mark worldwide within 11 days, and observers noted Chakravarthy became the first director to strike that figure on debut, raising expectations for his future projects. � The film also established his working relationship with top‑tier talent and a willingness to deliver a crowd‑pleasing mix of humor, drama, and mainstream energy.
If confirmed, Chakravarthy would be stepping into a rarefied circle guiding Rajinikanth under the RKFI banner, with all eyes on whether Thalaivar 173 can equal or surpass the hype. The move underlines RKFI’s willingness to back relatively newer voices, provided they demonstrate box‑office savvy and broad audience connect.Still, at present the Chakravarthy link remains in the buzz stage; official word on the final director and full creative line‑up is awaited. What’s clear is that RKFI intends to keep refining the script and team until they reach a configuration that satisfies the superstar at the center, making any director announcement a high‑stakes reveal in its own right.
