When a director exits a Rajinikanth film, Tamil cinema doesn’t just raise an eyebrow — it raises an entire storm. Sundar C’s departure from Thalaivar 173 had fans speculating endlessly, with many pointing fingers at the ambitious epic Sangamithra as the culprit. Now, the director himself has spoken out — and the truth is far more candid and relatable than anyone predicted.
Thalaivar 173 — The Full Picture
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film Title | Thalaivar 173 (working title) |
| Star | Rajinikanth |
| Original Director | Sundar C (exited) |
| Current Director | Cibi Chakaravarthi (Don fame) |
| Producer | Kamal Haasan / Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) |
| Expected Shoot Start | April 2026 |
| Rajinikanth’s Current Film | Jailer 2 (directed by Nelson Dilipkumar) |
| Sundar C’s Next | Purushan (with Vishal) + Mookuthi Amman 2 (post-production) |
What Sundar C Actually Said
In an interview with Tamil media outlet Puthiya Thalaimurai, Sundar C firmly denied that Sangamithra was the reason for his exit. He explained it plainly: “I didn’t leave Thalaivar 173 because of Sangamithra. Sangamithra is a 2-year commitment, and at this point in time, considering my monetary situation, I cannot get stuck with a single project for 2 years, and I have back-to-back commitments.”
He also revealed the scale of his current workload — Mookuthi Amman 2 was completed 4 months ago, but there is at least 1 year of CGI work remaining, with Nayanthara appearing majorly as Amman in that costume.
It’s a refreshingly honest admission. Rather than hiding behind creative differences or scheduling conflicts, Sundar C openly talked about financial realities and professional commitments — something rare in the carefully managed world of Tamil film industry PR.
Who’s Directing Now — and What’s Next for Rajinikanth?
Cibi Chakaravarthi, known for directing Don, has now come on board to helm Thalaivar 173, with the shoot expected to go on floors from April 2026 under the production banner of Raaj Kamal Films International.
Meanwhile, Rajinikanth’s plate is overflowing with landmark projects. He will next appear in Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, featuring Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, and SJ Suryah, with Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar reprising their roles — and Shah Rukh Khan reportedly making a cameo, scheduled to be filmed in March 2026.
Looking further ahead, Rajinikanth has also announced a historic on-screen reunion with Kamal Haasan in the tentatively titled KHxRK Reunion, to be directed by Nelson Dilipkumar with music by Anirudh Ravichander.
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