Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
Credit: RKFI
The eagerly awaited and prestigious project, Thalaivar 173, uniting cinema legends Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, faced an unexpected hurdle a week after its announcement. The project suffered a setback a week after the announcement as the director Sundar C, announced his abrupt exit from the project, sending shockwaves in the industry.
Following his unexpected departure, Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Film International (RKFI) launched an intensive search considering nearly a dozen filmmakers for the assignment. The industry is now abuzz with the news that RKFI has successfully zeroed in on a director and even received the green light from the superstar Rajinikanth himself.
It is strongly suggested by insiders that National Award-winning director Ramkumar Balakrishnan has bagged the opportunity and will be directing Rajinikanth in Thalaivar 173. While the industry is excited that stalwarts are backing a new talent, insiders suggest the primary reason for his selection was the crispness of his script.
Director Ramkumar Balakrishnan rose to fame with his widely praised movie, Parking, which not only received great response from the audience but also won three National Film Awards at the 71st ceremony.
The storyline is short and impressive; the movie delivers a deep societal message highlighting Rajinikanth's iconic mannerisms and style.
Reports suggest that Superstar Rajinikanth will take on the role of a professor in Thalaivar 173, similar to what he portrayed in Karthik Subbaraj’s Petta. In this project, Rajini will be seen battling the antagonist and his troop with his signature, unmistakable style and charisma.
Buzz has it that the official announcement for Thalaivar 173 is scheduled for Rajinikanth's birthday on December 12. Insiders suggest that this is Rajinikanth's second-to-last film. He is said to announce his retirement from showbiz after an illustrious five-decade career defined by his signature swag, style and unmatched charisma after completing a movie with Kamal Haasan.