At a recent event, Don director Cibi Chakaravarthi opened upon his experience missing out on opportunity to direct Rajinikanth's upcoming film, Dharman. At a time when the film was only tentatively titled Thalaivar 173, its producer Raaj Kamal Films International announced Cibi as its director. Subsequently, his name was mysteriously disassociated from the project, with the producer announcing Dragon fame Ashwath Marimuthu as the new director for the film, which has since been titled Dharman.

At the event, Cibi Chakaravarthi said that missing out on the film drove him into a dark mind space. "You all know that I was supposed to do the film with Rajinikanth sir but missed it. I was in a very painful space," the filmmaker said. He added that Atlee called him at the time and gave him a pep talk, which inspired him to shrug off the disappointment of missing the big-ticket film.

Recalling his conversation with Atlee, Cibi said, "He told me, 'You are a blockbuster director. Don't get fed up." And I said, I won't be fed up." Then, referring to Atlee in the audience, Cibi said that his words made him get up and running once again. "I will do a film again that will make you proud soon," he said to Atlee before praising the latter for his character. "You are a good-hearted person. You will find success in everything you do," the filmmaker told the maker of films such as Raja Rani, Theri, Mersal, and Jawan.

It is worth noting that Cibi Chakaravarthi has worked under Atlee as an assistant or associate director early in his career. Then, he made his directorial debut with Don, starring Sivakarthikeyan, which turned out to be a major hit at the box office. The director is expected to come back together with his Don star Sivakarthikeyan for another film soon.