Parking director Ramkumar and Maharaja director Nithilan lead the race for Thalaivar 173?

The discussion surrounding Thalaivar 173 has intensified ever since Sundar C officially stepped away from the project. With the film already positioned as one of the most anticipated ventures in the coming year, the question of who will helm Superstar Rajinikanth’s next has kept industry circles buzzing.

What began as speculative whispers around names like Karthik Subbaraj, Venkat Prabhu, and Dhanush has now shifted momentum toward two strong contenders. According to industry buzz, National Award–winning filmmaker Ramkumar Balakrishnan, who delivered the critically acclaimed Parking, and Nithilan Swaminathan, fresh off the success of Maharaja, are currently the leading front runners to direct the film.

Both directors have earned a reputation for their distinct storytelling sensibilities: Ramkumar for his grounded intensity and emotional detailing, and Nithilan for his sharp narrative control and gripping screenplay style. Their emergence in the race has sparked excitement among fans who are eager to see Rajinikanth collaborate with a next-gen creator capable of bringing a fresh flavour to his illustrious filmography.

Adding to the anticipation, industry sources suggest that the official announcement may arrive on Superstar Rajinikanth’s birthday, December 12th, a date traditionally associated with major fan celebrations. If the buzz holds true, the film’s director reveal could become one of the biggest highlights of the day. It is also speculated that the final decision will be made jointly by Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, marking a rare and significant collaboration between the two icons at the production level. With Kamal Haasan backing the project and Rajinikanth set to headline it, expectations for Thalaivar 173 have already skyrocketed.