Hot buzz about Rajinikanth's new movie which fans are referring to by Thalaivar 169 is that director Karthik Subbaraj has been roped in to helm it. Subbaraj had previously directed Rajini in the 2019 action-drama Petta and had also previously stated that he had a script ready for the film's sequel.

While it is not clear if Karthik Subbaraj and Rajinikanth are collaborating for Petta 2, it is being said that the two met during the period of quarantine and locked a script for their next project together. Sun Pictures, producers of Rajini's yet unreleased Annaatthe is said to be bankrolling Thalaivar 169 as well.