The upcoming Rajinikanth film to be produced by Kamal Haasan’s RKFI, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173 (Rajinikanth’s 173rd film), has hit a major creative shift: director Cibi Chakravarthi, who was initially signed to helm the film, has stepped out of the project, and the team is now in talks with Tamil director Ashwath Marimuthu (Maadha Naayagan, Kanithan) as a replacement.
Why Cibi Chakravarthi exited
Reports indicate that Cibi Chakravarthi parted ways due to creative differences with the producers and the stars, particularly over the film’s script and narrative tone. The makers wanted a more mass‑oriented, dialogue‑heavy Rajinikanth vehicle aligned with the actor’s larger‑than‑life persona, whereas Chakravarthi reportedly pushed for a grittier, more grounded approach that leaned less on star spectacle and more on tight writing and character arcs. Unable to reconcile these visions, the team mutually agreed to part ways, and the director has since publicly confirmed that he is no longer associated with the film. Moreover there is another version of why Cibi has exited Thalaivar 173. As per multiple outlets, Cibi was to direct a movie with Nani as lead for a leading Telugu production company. This agreement was made 4 years ago and the film never materialized. Though agreements were reached to Cibi returning the advance amount he has received for Nani film, the production company insisted that they need to be a part of Thalaivar 173. RKFI was not happy with this and hence Cibi was replaced in Thalaivar 173.
Ashwath Marimuthu in consideration
With the project currently in the pre‑production phase and a major release window in mind, the producers are now looking to lock in a director who can balance commercial mass appeal with strong storytelling. Industry sources say they are actively in talks with Ashwath Marimuthu, known for his stylish, slick visual sense and youthful writing in films like Oh My Kadavulae and Dragon. If the deal is finalised, Ashwath would be entrusted with the dual challenge of handling Rajinikanth and working with Kamal’s RKFI, crafting a world that does justice to their star power while still offering a fresh, contemporary narrative.
What this means for the film’s timeline
The director change is unlikely to delay the core release plans by much, as the script is still being finalised and the shoot has not yet begun. However, the incoming director is expected to revamp or rework the existing draft to suit his own sensibilities, which could affect casting and the overall tone of the film. The movie is being envisioned as a pan‑India product with a strong political and action‑drama spine, and the team is keen to ensure that the final version clicks both with Rajinikanth’s core fanbase and the broader multiplex‑going audience.
For now, the status is “director change in progress,” with Cibi Chakravarthi officially off the film and Ashwath Marimuthu regarded as the leading candidate to take over the baton.
–Samuthiran
