Rajinikanth's first collaboration with Kamal Haasan, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173, will have its title reveal on June 24 at 10 am. While the makers took to social media to make the announcement, the details of the director and further crew is noticably absent.

While Sundar C was initially announced to be the director of the upcoming film, he later stepped down citing creative differences. Later director Cibi Chakravarthi, who directed Sivakarthikeyan in Don (2022), was announced as the director of Thalaivar 173 with Anirudh as the music composer.

While reports of Cibi's exit emerged later, several directors were speculated to be in the running to take on the reins. Prevelant among those speculations was that Ashwath Marimuthu will direct Rajinikanth. Ashwath had previously directed the Pradeep Ranganathan headliner, Dragon (2025).

Kamal Haasan will back the upcoming film under is Raaj Kamal Films International banner along with Mahendran, who is backing under his Turmeric Media banner. While Thalaivar 173 will be the first collaboration, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan will share screenspace in a yet-to-be-titled film, directed by Nelson, featuring music by Anirudh.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth will be seen next in Nelson's Jailer 2, which is set to release later this year.