We had previously reported that Santosh Sivan, who helmed the camera for last year's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, will be handling the cinematography for Rajinikanth's next, directed by AR Murugadoss, tentatively referred to as Thalaivar 166. While the untitled film will mark the collaboration of Santosh and Rajini after 20 years, the former has worked with Murugadoss more recently on Thuppakki and Spyder

Now, we hear from trusted sources that Nayanthara, who has last seen in Viswasam, is in talks to play the female lead opposite Rajinikanth in the film. It is also rumored that Anirudh Ravichander, who worked with the Superstar in Karthik Subbaraj's Petta, might return as the music director of Thalaivar 166 also.  Official confirmation regarding these two developments is awaited.

The pre-production work for the upcoming project is said to be in process and a source states that the film will go on floors by the end of this month. Lyca Productions is said to be bankrolling this film -- making it their third film starring Rajini, after Kaala and 2.0. 

Nayanthara, who has shared screen space with the Superstar in Chandramukhi, Sivaji (Ballelakka) and Kuselan, has several films like Airaa, Kolayuthir Kaalam, Mr Romeo, Thalapathy 63, Sye Raa (Telugu), and Love Action Drama (Malayalam) in different stages of production. Anirudh, meanwhile, has Indian 2 and Jersey (Telugu) in the pipeline.