Police registered a case under Sections 70(2) and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 5(m) and 6 of the POCSO Act on the complaint of the girl’s father.
After weeks of relentless speculation, Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International has officially announced that filmmaker Cibi Chakravarthi will direct Rajinikanth’s next, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173. The makers marked the occasion with a striking poster that sets the mood for the film. Featuring a black cloth scattered with needles and a gun in the background, with multiple scissors placed in the foreground, the visual teases a narrative that blends stylised action with dramatic undertones. The poster also bears the line, “Every hero has a family,” signalling that the film will weave in a strong emotional and family oriented thread.
The Big Reveal That Clears The Air
The project will have Anirudh Ravichander returning to compose the music, continuing his successful creative partnership with the superstar. Thalaivar 173 is being readied for a festive Pongal 2027 release, which interestingly aligns with the production house’s original timeline from when the film was first conceived.
The announcement finally brings clarity to a project that has been the subject of constant chatter ever since Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan confirmed their collaboration at a public event last year. However, the film soon found itself mired in uncertainty when Sundar C, who was initially associated with the project, exited citing “unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances”.
Every HERO has a FAMILY#Arambikalama #Thalaivar173 #SuperStarPongal2027 @rajinikanth @ikamalhaasan @Dir_Cibi @anirudhofficial #Mahendran @APIfilms @homescreenent@RKFI @turmericmediaTM @magizhmandram pic.twitter.com/IkVVMgi3q8
— Raaj Kamal Films International (@RKFI) January 3, 2026
His departure opened the floodgates to speculation, with reports claiming that several directors had pitched scripts to Rajinikanth. Filmmakers such as Ramkumar Balakrishnan of Parking, Dragon director Ashwath Marimuthu, Nithilan Saminathan, SU Arunkumar, and RJ Balaji were all said to be in the fray. The eventual selection of Cibi Chakravarthi has therefore come as a genuine surprise to fans.
Why Cibi Chakravarthi Is A Fascinating Choice
Cibi Chakravarthi made his directorial debut with the 2022 hit Don, starring Sivakarthikeyan. The campus drama, anchored in a poignant father son relationship, emerged as a box office success and established Cibi as a filmmaker who could blend commercial elements with emotional storytelling. While he has only one film to his credit so far, his ability to connect with family audiences appears to be a key factor behind his appointment to helm a Rajinikanth vehicle.
Cibi is also expected to reunite with Sivakarthikeyan for an untitled project soon, though an official confirmation is awaited. For Thalaivar 173, the filmmaker is likely to scale up his sensibilities to match Rajinikanth’s towering screen presence, while retaining the emotional depth hinted at by the poster’s tagline.
Anirudh’s association further boosts expectations. The composer has previously delivered chart topping soundtracks for Rajinikanth in Petta, Darbar, Jailer, Vettaiyan, and Coolie, and is currently working on Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer 2, which is slated for release on June 12 this year. His understanding of Rajini’s mass appeal has made him a vital ingredient in the superstar’s recent successes.
According to the makers, filming for Thalaivar 173 will commence in the coming days, with announcements on the cast, technical crew, and production schedule to follow shortly. There is also intrigue over whether Kamal Haasan will share screen space with Rajinikanth. The two legends last appeared together in Thillu Mullu in Tamil and Geraftaar in Hindi, both in the early eighties, and there has been no confirmation yet about a reunion in this film.
Produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran under the RKFI banner, Thalaivar 173 now moves into active production mode, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated Tamil releases of Pongal 2027.
The makers of Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies have officially confirmed that the film will arrive in theatres on January 22. Directed by debutant Adhvaith Nayar, the project plunges into the lesser seen world of underground wrestling clubs operating in Fort Kochi. Blending sports action with humour, the film promises a riotous ride through a flamboyant subculture inspired by the theatrics of WWE style bouts.
Inside Fort Kochi’s Secret Ring Of Rowdies
The ensemble cast is led by Arjun Ashokan and Roshan Mathew, with Ishan Shoukath, Vishak Nair, and Pooja Mohandas playing pivotal roles. Together, they form the beating heart of a story that tracks several lives colliding in a chaotic ring where ego, ambition, and survival battle it out. From the looks of it, the film is not just about punches and power moves but about the colourful ecosystem that thrives around these illegal fighting pits.
The script and dialogues have been written by Sanoop Thykoodam, who has earlier penned popular entertainers like Chunkzz, Vikruthi, and Sumesh & Ramesh. Known for his knack for balancing humour with emotional texture, Sanoop’s involvement suggests that Chatha Pacha will not shy away from exploring the human stakes beneath the bravado.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies (@chathapachathefilm)
A Power Packed Crew And A Musical First For Malayalam Cinema
One of the film’s biggest talking points is the music department. Chatha Pacha marks the Malayalam debut of celebrated composer trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy, who has composed the songs. The background score is handled by Mujeeb Majeed, who recently earned acclaim for Kishkindha Kaandam. This blend of mainstream musical sensibilities with a gritty sporting narrative is expected to give the film a distinctive sonic identity.
The technical team is equally impressive. Anend C Chandran serves as the principal cinematographer, with additional visuals captured by Jomon T John and Sudeep Elamon, a trio known for elevating visual storytelling in Malayalam cinema. Editing is by Praveen Prabhakar, while action sequences are choreographed by Kalai Kingson, whose recent work in Marco showcased his flair for stylised combat. Given the wrestling backdrop, his contribution is likely to be one of the film’s major highlights.
Produced by Ritesh S Ramakrishnan and Shihan Shoukath under the Reel World Entertainment banner, the film has been mounted on a scale that is ambitious for a debut director. Adding to the buzz is the strong word that Mammootty will appear in a special cameo, a detail that has already sparked excitement among fans even though the makers are yet to confirm it officially.
Expanding its reach beyond Kerala, Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies will also release in dubbed versions across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. The multi language strategy indicates the makers’ confidence in the film’s universal appeal, particularly with wrestling being a spectacle that cuts across regional boundaries.
With a fresh director at the helm, a vibrant ensemble, and the promise of high energy action set in an unseen corner of Fort Kochi, Chatha Pacha looks poised to kick off the year with a knockout punch.
Also Read: Chatha Pacha Title Track Drops As Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Make a Striking Malayalam Debut