Thalaivar 173: Sai Abhyankkar set to score music, Sai Pallavi in talks

​The highly-anticipated collaboration between  actor Rajinikanth and producer Kamal Haasan, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173, is reportedly injecting new talent into its creative team as the project moves forward.

Following the exit of the originally announced director Sundar C, industry sources suggest that Ramkumar Balakrishnan, who gained acclaim for his film Parking, is now the frontrunner to helm the project, with an official announcement possibly slated for Rajinikanth’s birthday on December 12th.

Adding to the surprising changes, young and currently viral music composer Sai Abhyankkar is reportedly the chosen music director, a massive break for the composer known for his independent hits and a move that signals the makers’ interest in a fresh musical approach over established names.

Furthermore, the film is set to feature a powerful cast, with actress Sai Pallavi reportedly locked in as the female lead opposite Rajinikanth for the first time, while versatile actor Kathir is also in early talks for a significant role.