Rajinikanth's 'Thalaivar 173' Shooting Begins April 2026; Pongal Gift to Fans

• Superstar Rajinikanth greeted fans on Pongal, emphasizing respect for farmers as the nation's backbone.
• He announced that his upcoming film, tentatively titled 'Thalaivar 173', will begin shooting in April 2026.
• The film is produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) and will be directed by Sibi Chakravarthy.
• Initially, Sundar C was slated to direct but later withdrew due to unforeseen circumstances, not personal differences.

Why It Matters: Rajinikanth confirmed 'Thalaivar 173' shooting starts April 2026, a Pongal announcement for fans.