After announcing that Sundar C has opted out of Rajinikanth's 173rd film, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173, backed by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, the project did not progress much.

The makers announced on Friday that an update about the film will be made on Saturday. It is not yet clear whether the update will be about the director or an update for it. Meanwhile, the social media rumour mill suggests that filmmakers Ashwath Marimuthu, fresh off the success of Dragon, and Cibi Chakravarthy, who made a remarkable debut with Don, are the top contenders to direct this film. While Cibi is reuniting with Sivakarthikeyan for a new project, Ashwath will collaborate with Silambarasan for STR 51. STR, however, is working with Vetrimaaran on Arasan and will join Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal fame Desingh Periyasamy for STR 50. If the rumours are to be believed, Ashwath will helm Thalaivar 173, while STR completes his other commitments.

While it is unclear if Kamal and Rajinikanth will share screen space in the upcoming film, they last appeared together in Thillu Mullu (1981) in Tamil and Geraftaar (1985) in Hindi.

Rajinikanth, who last starred in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie, is working on his next release, Jailer 2, a sequel to his hit 2023 film, with Nelson Dilipkumar. Kamal Haasan, meanwhile, last starred in Mani Ratnam's Thug Life and is working on the directorial debut of the stunt direction duo Anbariv, KH 237.