The Thalaivar 173 storyline is drawing comparisons to Thalapathy Vijay‘s Leo in Tamil film circles. According to industry reports, Superstar Rajinikanth will play a peaceful family man harbouring a violent past — a setup that closely mirrors Leo‘s central premise.
How Thalaivar 173 Storyline Compares to Leo
Leo (2023), directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, followed Vijay as a gentle tea shop owner whose criminal past eventually resurfaces. The Thalaivar 173 storyline reportedly echoes the same template. Fans are drawing parallels, and excitement is building around how Rajinikanth will bring his own stamp to this layered, double-life character.
Cast Details
Basil Joseph is set to play Rajinikanth‘s son, while Shobana joins the cast as the female lead. The reunion of Rajinikanth and Shobana — known to fans as the “Thalapathi duo” from their iconic Thalapathi (1991) — is among the film’s biggest talking points.
The film is directed by Cibi Chakravarthi and produced by Kamal Haasan‘s Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) alongside R. Mahendran.
Shooting Plans and Release
Location scouting has taken place in Amritsar, Punjab, with the makers planning a visually distinct backdrop for this action family entertainer. Shooting is set to begin after the Tamil Nadu elections on April 28. The team is targeting a Pongal/Sankranthi 2027 release.