Lokesh Kanagaraj is going to direct Superstar Rajinikanth's 169th film which will be bankrolled by his friend, actor-politician Kamal Haasan, under his home banner Raaj Kamal Films International.

Though there were rumours that the project has been shelved as Superstar Rajinikanth has decided to concentrate fully on politics, makers confirmed that the much-anticipated film is very much on. Sources say that things got postponed due to the current COVID-19 situation and the production is waiting for Rajini to finalise the dates as Superstar is yet to complete 'Annaatthe' with director Siva, which has been postponed due to lockdown. As of now, the team has decided to launch the project in November.

The latest update is about Rajini's remuneration for the film. Close source to the production house say that Superstar will be paid Rs. 120 crore as salary for the project by his friend and producer Kamal Haasan. It claims that Kamal agreed to pay Rs.120 crore based on his previous project remuneration. Rajini was offered Rs.110 crore by Sun Pictures, the producers of 'Annaatthe' before the lockdown and the actor may take pay-cut post-lockdown.

Source say that Rajini plans to finish the shoot of 'Annaatthe' before March and immediately start shooting for Thalaivar 169 with Lokesh Kanagaraj aiming to release for Diwali 2021.

We hear that Rajinikanth will work on 'Annaatthe' once things get back to normal. He has few days of shoot left, as major portions of the film were already shot in Hyderabad.

On the other hand, Kamal is also halfway through with the shooting of 'Indian 2' directed by Shankar. He is in talks with director Gautham Menon for 'Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu 2'. He also has his dream project 'Thalaivan Irukkindran', a sequel to super hit 'Thevar Magan', expected to go on floors by the end of this year.