Rajinikanth's film with Kamal Haasan to get new director after Sundar C, Cibi Chakravarthi? Fans react to surprise video

Raaj Kamal Films International's birthday video for director Ashwath Marimuthu has fuelled rumours of him stepping in to direct the same.

Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan announced last year in November that they are set to star together in a film tentatively titled Thalaivar 173. It was scheduled for release around Pongal 2027. Sundar C was attached to direct. Merely days after that announcement, Sundar C released a statement saying that has opted out of the film, citing ‘unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances.’ In January, it was announced that director Cibi Chakaravarthi has been roped in to helm the project. There has been speculation that he has even left the project, but no announcement was made.

Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan last worked together in Geraftaar, nearly 35 years ago. (HT Photo)

Ashwath Marimuthu to direct Thalaivar 173?

As uncertainty over the project's shoot continues, a new update has sparked attention on social media. On Tuesday, the official X account of Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI), shared a surprise birthday video for director Ashwath Marimuthu. This video led many fans to believe that the makers have narrowed down to the filmmaker for the much-awaited film.

‘From Imagination to Inspiration, Birthday wishes to Director @Dir_Ashwath,’ read the caption to the post, which included snaps of the director in a stylised video montage. He responded, saying, “Thank you @RKFI @turmericmediaTM, what a music and thanks for the surprise.”

How fans reacted

Reacting to the video, several fans commented about him being roped in to direct the film. One comment read, “Almost official that he is the next to direct thalaivar.” A fan wrote, “Soft launching #Thalaivar173 director.” Another said, “Code word accepted, he is the director.” “Waiting for official announcement,” said another. No official confirmation has been made by the production team yet.

Ashwath made his directorial debut with Oh My Kadavule. His last release was Dragon, starring Pradeep Ranganathan. The film was a major box office success.

Last month, Sundar C broke the silence on his exit from the film. In an interaction with Behindwoods, he has shared why he chose to walk away from the project. He shared in Tamil, “To be honest, it was too much pressure for me. For the past 16 years, I’ve made films the way I wanted, based on what I felt would work with the audience. But I don’t have the capacity to make people understand this during production. I don’t know how to narrate a film effectively, and at the same time, I get compromised easily without putting up a fight.”

He went on to add, “So if I do a big film like this, it won’t be just my decisions. I felt the pressure and realised I couldn’t stay true to the project or the people involved. That’s why I stepped away at the very beginning stage itself.”

Both Rajinikanth and Kamal have been teasing their collaboration since before the release of the former’s Lokesh Kanagaraj film Coolie in 2025. Kamal was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life and is now shooting for a yet-to-be-announced project. Rajinikanth will soon star in Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer 2.