# Thalaivar 173 Shoot Starts April 27 — Rajinikanth’s Next Blockbuster Is Finally Rolling!

URL: https://technosports.co.in/thalaivar-173-shoot-starts-april-27-rajinikanths/  
Published: 2026-04-07  
Updated: 2026-04-07  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

The wait is almost over. After months of director changes, pre-production buzz, and fan speculation, [Rajinikanth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajinikanth)‘s much-anticipated *Thalaivar 173* is officially gearing up to begin its shoot — and the date is locked. Mark your calendars for **April 27, 2026**.

## Thalaivar 173 — Everything You Need to Know

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Working Title** | Thalaivar 173 |
| **Director** | Cibi Chakaravarthi (*Don* fame) |
| **Lead Actor** | Rajinikanth |
| **Producer** | Kamal Haasan (RKFI / Raaj Kamal Films International) |
| **Music** | Anirudh Ravichander |
| **Expected Cast** | Basil Joseph, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Shobana |
| **Genre** | Action-Family Entertainer |
| **Shoot Start Date** | April 27, 2026 |
| **Promo Shoot** | 3 days in Chennai (before April 27) |
| **Expected Release** | Pongal 2027 |
| **Previous Director** | Sundar C (exited due to prior commitments) |

## A Dream Project That Had a Rocky Start

*Thalaivar 173* had quite a journey before cameras even started rolling. The film was originally announced with Sundar C at the helm, but shortly after the official launch, he released a statement revealing he was stepping back from the project due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances.

![](https://imagedelivery.net/c3a8230fccbe78d87fd4f9ceb00fbeb0/wp-1263827-thhslslsl-large/public)

Enter Cibi Chakaravarthi — and the excitement only doubled. The overwhelmed filmmaker announced his association on January 3, 2026, sharing that as a small-town boy, his only dream was to meet his favourite Superstar Rajinikanth — and now he’d get to direct him. Talk about a full-circle moment.

## Shoot Starting April 27 — Here’s What to Expect

The team is reportedly planning to shoot a promo in Chennai for three days this month, following which regular filming is expected to commence from April 27, 2026.

Rajinikanth himself confirmed the momentum, stating at a public event, “Shooting is to begin in April this year. It will be a proper commercial entertainer.”

As per online reports, the movie’s shoot is likely to continue until September 2026, with a prominent Malayalam actor playing the co-lead role, and the film aiming for a Pongal 2027 theatrical release.

The script carries a powerful tagline — “Every family has a hero” — hinting at an emotionally rich, mass entertainer layered with family values. [www.mykollywood.com](https://mykollywood.com/news/kollywood-news/thalaivar-173-update-shooting-to-commence-in-april-2026/)

For more on Tamil cinema’s biggest upcoming films, check our [Rajinikanth movies tracker on TechnoSports](https://www.technosports.co.in), our [Pongal 2027 release lineup](https://www.technosports.co.in), and our [South Indian cinema news hub](https://www.technosports.co.in).

## FAQs

### **Q1. Who is directing Thalaivar 173 and who is producing it?**

*Thalaivar 173* is directed by Cibi Chakaravarthi and produced by Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran under Raaj Kamal Films International, with music by Anirudh Ravichander.

### **Q2. When is Thalaivar 173 expected to release in theatres?**

The film is targeting a grand theatrical release around **Pongal 2027**, making it one of the most anticipated Tamil films of that festive season.