Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan reunite after 46 years for ‘Thalaivar 173’

Superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan join forces after nearly five decades in Sundar C’s upcoming directorial Thalaivar 173, produced by Raaj Kamal Films International and slated for a Pongal 2027 release.\

Tamil cinema is set to witness history as two of its greatest icons, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, reunite on screen after 46 long years. The duo will collaborate for an upcoming film titled Thalaivar 173, directed by popular filmmaker Sundar C and produced under Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) banner.

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The announcement came on November 5 through an official press release by RKFI. The statement described the project as a “landmark collaboration” celebrating not just cinema but also five decades of friendship and brotherhood between the two superstars. It marks the 44th anniversary of Raaj Kamal Films International, making the project even more special for Tamil film fans.

The press release read, “#Thalaivar173 unites Superstar Rajinikanth’s magnetic screen presence with Sundar C’s direction, in a landmark production envisioned by Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran.” The film will be released by Red Giant Movies during Pongal 2027, promising a festival treat for audiences across India.

This marks the first time in 46 years that the legendary actors will share screen space, having last appeared together in the 1979 film Ninaithale Inikkum. Director Sundar C, who previously worked with Rajinikanth in Arunachalam and with Haasan in Anbe Sivam, is expected to bring out a powerful combination of star power and storytelling.

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The collaboration had been in discussion for months, with earlier speculations linking directors Lokesh Kanagaraj and Pradeep Ranganathan to the project. Kamal Haasan himself confirmed the reunion in September during the NEXA SIIMA Awards 2025, humorously remarking that both he and Rajinikanth were now ready to “share the biscuit” again.

Rajinikanth later confirmed that the film was under active planning and dependent on finalising a strong script. With Sundar C now officially on board, the project has generated massive excitement across the industry.