Darbar is bankrolled by Lyca Productions.
Superstar Rajinikanth’s latest film is tentatively titled Darbar. The project is being helmed by AR Murugadoss, who is collaborating with Rajini for the first time in his career. Nayanthara is playing the female lead in the film. This will be Nayanthara’s third film with the superstar after Chandramukhi and Kuselan.
The film is being bankrolled by Lyca Productions. The production house also handled the finances of Rajinikanth’s science-fiction and action flick 2.0, a Shankar directorial which released last year. Lyca entered the film business with Murugadoss’ 2014 film Kaththi.
Rajinikanth was last seen in Karthik Subbaraj’s Petta, which released at the beginning of this year. Nayanthara recently starred in the horror movie, Airaa, in which she played a double role.
Also Read | Darbar first look: Rajinikanth to don the cop’s uniform after 25 years
Rumours stating that SJ Suryah (who appeared in Murugadoss’ Spyder back in 2017) had joined the film’s cast were being circulated, but Rajinikanth’s publicist Riaz K Ahmed put them to rest by tweeting, “Dear Media Friends, The Rumours Being Speculated About The Cast Of #Thalaivar167 Is Not Authentic, As Of Now Only #Nayanthara Has Been Roped In The Film! Kindly Do Not Spread The News Until You Get An Official Press Release About The Entire Confirmed Cast @RIAZtheboss.”
Sivakarthikeyan tweeted, "The combo I’m waiting for a long time ?? Idhu #Thalaivar in Mass #Darbar ?? Best wishes to @ARMurugadoss sir @anirudhofficial #Nayanthara @LycaProductions and full team ??"
Pa Ranjith shared on Twitter, "Interesting poster ? #Darbar ?vazthugal ????#Superstar @rajinikanth @ARMurugadoss @anirudhofficial @santoshsivan @sreekar_prasad"
G Dhananjayan took to Twitter and wrote, "#Thalaivar167 #Darbar first look is looking very impressive as the title. Looking for #Thalaivar's real Darbar soon. Best wishes @ARMurugadoss sir, @santoshsivan @anirudhofficial @LycaProductions & Team to rock ? ?? ?"
Parvatii wrote on Twitter, "When an extremely Mass actor and extremely Mass director join together, what else could you expect other than a complete celebration? Thalaivaaaa.. Dashing to the core! An energetic first look. Looking forward to Pongal day. Best wishes @ARMurugadoss sir ? #Darbar #Thalaivar167"
Shanthanu Bhagyaraj posted on Twitter, "Wow this is outstanding ?? thaaru maaru sir @ARMurugadoss ?? can’t wait ?? #DARBAR #DarbarFirstLook"
"Really looking forward to this film... Rajinikanth and director AR Murugadoss join hands for #Darbar... Costars Nayanthara... #Pongal2020 release... #Thalaivar167FirstLook... #DarbarFirstLook poster," Taran Adarsh said via Twitter.
Karthik Subbaraj tweeted, "Wow..... Sema Thalaivaaa!! Thalaivarin #Darbar .... So very excited to see Thalaivar as a Cop..... ????? And that ever charming Smile... ? All the best @ARMurugadoss sir & whole team and waiting for @anirudhofficial brother's another sirapaana tharamana sambavam... ?
Riaz K Ahmed shared on Twitter, "Known For Justice & Truth, This Is #Thalaivar's #Darbar ???"
The official statement from the film's team reads, "First time AR Murgadoss and Rajinikanth are joining hands. This is Thalaivar’s 167th movie. Lyca Productions are collaborating with Rajini for the second time after 2.0. Nayanthara is joining hands with Rajinikanth after 11 years. After Kolamavu Kokila, this is Nayanthara’s second movie under Lyca Productions. Anirudh is composing the music for his 2nd Rajni movie. After Vijay’s Kaththi, AR Murgadoss is collaborating with Anirudh. Santhosh Sivan will be handling the camera for Rajini for the second time after 28 years (Thalapathy). And 3rd time for Murgadoss. Shooting will commence tomorrow in Mumbai and the film is eyeing a Pongal release next year."
Ramesh Bala shared the meaning of Darbar on Twitter, "#Darbar means the King's Court.. Arasa Sabai.. Where King meets his Ministers and Other Military Leaders.. In olden days.. "
Director AR Murugadoss shared on Twitter, "Here you go guys!!! The first look of our very own Thalaivar in #Darbar @rajinikanth @LycaProductions #nayanthara @santoshsivan @anirudhofficial #sreekarprasad #pongal2020"
Anirudh Ravichander shared on Twitter, "Idhu Thalaivarin #Darbar ??? With @ARMurugadoss sir @santoshsivan @LycaProductions"
According to reports, Rajinikanth will be playing a cop in Thalaivar 167. He was last seen playing a hostel warden in Petta.
Reports suggest Nivetha Thomas, who was last seen in Telugu film 118, will be seen playing Superstar Rajinikanth's daughter in Thalaivar 167.
Lyca Productions took to Twitter on Monday and wrote, "1?... 6?.....7? #Thalaivar167 - #ARM First Look Out at 8.30 AM tomorrow?? Countdown Begins !!!!"