‘Thalaivar 173’: Kamal Haasan breaks silence on Sundar C’s exit from Rajinikanth’s film

Actor Kamal Haasan, who is set to produce Rajinikanth’s next, has broken silence on director Sundar C’s exit from the project. The highly-anticipated movie, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173, will be produced by Kamal Haasan’s banner Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI).

Days after being roped in as the director for the movie, Sundar stepped back from the project. The seasoned filmmaker said that he had to quit the film due to “unforeseen and unavoidable circumstance.” Speaking to reporters, Kamal Haasan responded to the development.

“Sundar C has explained the reason for his withdrawal from the project through a press release. I don’t have anything to add to it,” said Kamal Haasan. The legendary actor added that as a producer, it’s his job to find a story that suits his star, in this case, Rajinikanth. “Until my star is satisfied with the script, we will keep scouting for it. We are currently in the process of finalising a quality script,” he said.

Kamal Haasan said there is even a possibility of a youngster being picked as the director. Talking about the type of script the team is looking for, the actor said, “expect the unexpected.”

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Meanwhile, explaining his decision, Sundar had written in the press release, “In life, there are moments when we must follow the path laid out for us, even if it diverges from our dreams. My association with these two icons (Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan) goes back a long way. I will always hold them in the highest regard.”

Thalaivar 173 is set to bring together Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth after 46 years. To be produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI), the project was confirmed by the actor while speaking at the NEXA SIIMA Awards 2025. Sundar had directed Rajinikanth in Arunachalam (1997) and Kamal Haasan in Anbe Sivam (2003).