The wait is almost over. After months of director changes, pre-production buzz, and fan speculation, 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.
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
For more on Tamil cinema’s biggest upcoming films, check our Rajinikanth movies tracker on TechnoSports, our Pongal 2027 release lineup, and our South Indian cinema news hub.
