Chennai: In a moment that feels like history completing a full circle, two of Tamil cinema’s greatest icons are finally coming together. Superstar Rajinikanth will headline his 173rd film under the banner of Raaj Kamal Films International, founded by his lifelong friend and contemporary Kamal Haasan.
The film, to be directed by Sundar C, was announced just days before Kamal Haasan’s birthday and the timing couldn’t have been more poetic. The project, tentatively titled “Thalaivar 173,” will mark a grand Pongal 2027 release through Red Giant Movies.
A Friendship Written in Cinema
Kamal Haasan announced the project through a handwritten Tamil letter that instantly went viral. His words captured decades of affection:
“Like the wind, like the rain, like the river we are two friends. Two wonders. Two screen stars. Let’s dream again.”
It’s a reunion five decades in the making. Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan first shared the screen in Apoorva Raagangal (1975) and went on to appear together in 21 films before taking separate creative paths in 1979 Rajinikanth embracing the “mass hero” space and Kamal pioneering experimental storytelling. Now, their journeys converge once more under one banner, not as rivals, but as legends celebrating a bond that outlasted stardom itself.
Rajinikanth’s Unstoppable Run
At 74, Rajinikanth shows no sign of slowing down. His recent film “Coolie” directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, turned into the highest-grossing Tamil movie of 2025, earning between ₹514–675 crore worldwide. The film also featured Shruti Haasan in a key emotional role a connection that now feels almost symbolic as her father Kamal teams up with Rajini for the next big chapter.
Before Coolie, Rajinikanth starred in “Vettaiyan” (2024) opposite Amitabh Bachchan, collecting ₹259 crore globally. His schedule is packed with “Jailer 2” (2026) before stepping into Sundar C’s grand vision for Thalaivar 173.
The House of Raaj Kamal Films
Founded in 1981, Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) stands as Tamil cinema’s most respected production house. Under Kamal Haasan’s creative command, it has delivered timeless classics Hey Ram, Thevar Magan, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Dasavathaaram and the globally acclaimed Vikram (2022), which grossed over ₹500 crore.
With Thalaivar 173, the banner celebrates not just 44 years of cinema, but an era that shaped generations. “This is not just a film,” says a source close to RKFI. “It’s Kamal sir’s tribute to the spirit of collaboration that defined Tamil cinema in the 1970s.”
Sundar C at the Helm
Director Sundar C brings the perfect balance of experience and mass appeal. Having previously directed both stars Rajinikanth in Arunachalam (1997) and Kamal Haasan in Anbe Sivam (2003) he now finds himself orchestrating the dream reunion.
In his 30-year career, Sundar has directed over 37 films, including recent hits like Aranmanai 4 (₹100 crore) and Madha Gaja Raja (2025). Known for his fast-paced, high-energy direction, he has a flair for transforming nostalgia into spectacle exactly what this collaboration demands.
More Than a Film, a Legacy
Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are more than co-stars; they are institutions. Rajini the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient, and Kamal, with four National Awards and 20 Filmfare trophies across five languages, represent two sides of Indian cinema’s golden age.
Their reunion under one banner after half a century of parallel excellence is not just another headline. It’s a moment of collective emotion for millions who grew up watching them define charisma and craft.
When Thalaivar 173 arrives in Pongal 2027, it will not merely be a movie release it will be a celebration of art, endurance and the timeless friendship of two men who changed the language of Indian cinema forever.
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