It's official — Rajinikanth's next film after Darbar will be under the Sun Pictures banner with director Siva helming the project. The announcement came on Friday with a short video promo from Sun Pictures. Dubbed Thalaivar168, the video showed an iconic cutout of the Superstar.
While pictures leaked from the sets of Darbar have gone viral - keeping the fans wanting for more - this announcement is also significant as Rajinikanth is widely speculated to be launching his political party next year. The actor announced his decision to enter politics in December 2017.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Siva would be working with Suriya for his next. The announcement came months after his movie, Viswasam, with Ajith took the box office by storm.
After the blockbuster hits Enthiran and Petta, the mega hit combo of Superstar @rajinikanth and @sunpictures come together for the third time for Thalaivar 168, Superstar’s next movie, directed by @directorsiva#Thalaivar168BySunPictures pic.twitter.com/AL5Z6ryjbG
— Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) October 11, 2019
Thalaivar168 is to be produced by Studio Green KE Gnanavel Raja.
Earlier in September, a first look poster from the film starring Nayanthara in the lead was released. This poster showed Rajinikanth holding on to an iron rod with all his might. The poster confirmed that the film will be a 2020 Pongal release.
The film also has Suniel Shetty, Prateik Babbar, Yogi Babu, Jeeva, Prakash Raj, Nivetha Thomas, Dalip Tahil, Soori, Harish Uthaman, Manobala, Suman, Anandaraj, Rao Ramesh and Bose Venkat among the cast.
Directed by AR Murugadoss, Rajinikanth will be playing the role of a cop in Darbar, a character he has taken up after almost 25 years since films like Moondru Mugam and Pandiyan. The project, which is being produced by Lyca Productions, marks the first time collaboration between AR Murugadoss and Rajinikanth and would be the third outing for Lyca Productions with Rajinikanth after Kaala (distributor) and 2.0.