Sundar C

He is one of the most popular and commercial filmmakers in Tamil cinema. He has introduced Arun Vijay, Rambha, RJ Balaji, Malavika, Ankitha, Anushka Shetty, Aishwarya Lekshmi and Malavika Sharma as debutants and for debut to Tamil cinema respectively Hiphop Tamizha and K. Rajasekhar as music director & fight master respectively. His notable films include Ullathai Allitha (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Unnai Thedi (1999), Anbe Sivam (2003), Winner (2003), Giri (2004), Kalakalappu (2012), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Aranmanai Cinematic Universe (2014-2024) and Madha Gaja Raja (2025). Alongside his wife, he produced the television series Nandhini (2017-2018), Maya (2018) and Jothi (2021). His film production credits include Hello Naan Pei Pesuren (2016), Meesaya Murukku (2017), Natpe Thunai (2019), Naan Sirithal (2020), Naanga Romba Busy (2020) and Pattampoochi (2022).

• Name — Sundar C • Birth Name — Sundaravel Chidambaram • Born — 21 January 1968 • Birthplace — Erode, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — * Actor • Film director • Screenwriter • Playback singer • Film producer • Politician • Parents — Father: Chidambaram Mother: Deivanai • Years Active — 1990–present • Awards — Kalaimamani • Children — 2 • Political Party — Puthiya Needhi Katchi (2026–present)

Sundar was born on 21 January 1968 in Erode, Tamil Nadu. His parents are Chidambaram Pillai and Deivanai Ammal, both of whom are respected in the Tamil community. On his father's recommendation, he adopted the name "Sundar C" to better suit the film industry.

Sundar began his career as an assistant director to Manivannan and made his directorial debut with the film Murai Maman in 1995. Initially, he intended to cast a leading action hero Sarathkumar for the lead role, but due to the producer's inability to secure the actor, Jayaram was selected instead, capitalizing on his comedic prowess. The film was a success at the box office. Sundar then continued to focus on comedy films, directing Ullathai Allitha (1996), Mettukudi (1996) and Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999), all starring Karthik. In 1997, he directed the high-profile Arunachalam, with Rajinikanth. The film won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, including Best Film. Sundar started the new millennium by directing the thriller Unnai Kann Theduthey (2000) and the action film Rishi (2001). In 2003, he directed both Anbe Sivam and Winner. While Winner was commercially successful, Anbe Sivam—despite being critically acclaimed—underperformed at the box office but later became a cult classic. He continued his directorial ventures with Chinna (2005) and Rendu (2006). Subsequently, Sundar transitioned to acting, making his lead debut in the commercially successful Thalai Nagaram (2006). He continued to secure lead roles in hits like Veerappu (2007), directed by Badri, and Sandai (2008) by Sakthi Chidambaram. He received the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2009. He then made a directorial comeback with Nagaram Marupakkam in 2010. In 2012, Sundar directed the comedy film Kalakalappu, which was a commercial hit. He followed it up with Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Aranmanai (2014), Aranmanai 2 (2016), and Kalakalappu 2 (2018). He starred in the well-received horror thriller Iruttu (2019), directed by V. Z. Durai, and also directed Vishal's action film Action (2019). His subsequent release as a director and actor, Aranmanai 3 (2021), was successful at the box office despite being critically panned. He later starred in Thalai Nagaram 2 (2023). Later, he directed and starred in Aranmanai 4 (2024). In 2018, Sundar C was named in the "Tamil Leaks" social media campaign by Telugu actress Sri Reddy, who alleged that he and an executive producer named Ganesh had demanded sexual favours in exchange for a lead role during the Hyderabad schedule of the film Aranmanai. Sundar C categorically denied these claims, stating he had never met the actress and dismissing the allegations as false and defamatory. He subsequently announced his intention to initiate legal proceedings and file a defamation case against her. Reddy later provided a clarification, noting that while she had been introduced to the director on set and found him polite, the pressure for "compromise" primarily came from the executive producer, and she remained uncertain if Sundar C was directly aware of those specific arrangements.

In 2000, Sundar married actress Khushbu. After their marriage, she took his name as her surname and became known as Khushbu Sundar. They have two daughters, Avantika and Anandita, after whom they named their production house, Avni Cinemax.

In 2026, Sundar C was announced as a candidate from the Madurai Central Assembly constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. He is contesting on behalf of the Puthiya Needhi Katchi (PNK), a party founded by A. C. Shanmugam, as part of the AIADMK-led Alliance in Tamil Nadu, which is aligned with the National Democratic Alliance.

Tamil Nadu Legislative elections • Elections — Constituency — Party — Result — % Votes • 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election — Madurai Central — ADMK — 22.57%

Sundar C film acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1990 — Vaazhkai Chakkaram — Constable — Cameo • 1993 — Moondravadhu Kann — Studio assistant • 1995 — Murai Maman — Villager • 1997 — Arunachalam — Reporter • 2006 — Thalai Nagaram — Subramaniam "Right" — Lead debut • 2007 — Veerappu — Pulippandi • 2008 — Sandai — Kathiresan "Kaththi" • Aayudham Seivom — Saidai Sathya • 2009 — Perumal — Perumal • Thee — ACP Sarathy "Samy" • Aiyantham Padai — Prabhakaran • 2010 — Guru Sishyan — Eeti • Vaada — Vetrivel • Nagaram Marupakkam — Selvam • 2012 — Murattu Kaalai — Kaalaiyan • 2014 — Ninaithathu Yaaro — Himself — Cameo • Aranmanai — Lawyer Ravi • 2016 — Aranmanai 2 — Ravi • Muthina Kathirikai — Muthupandi • 2019 — Action — Passer-by — Cameo • Iruttu — Inspector Chezhiyan • 2021 — Aranmanai 3 — Ravi • 2022 — Pattampoochi — Inspector Kumaran • 2023 — Thalainagaram 2 — Right • 2024 — Aranmanai 4 — Lawyer Saravanan • 2025 — Vallan — Inspector Divakar • Gangers — Saravanan • Filming

Sundar C film directing and writing credits • Year — Title — Notes • 1995 — Murai Maman • Murai Mappillai • 1996 — Ullathai Allitha • Mettukudi • 1997 — Arunachalam • Janakiraman • 1998 — Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar • 1999 — Unnai Thedi • Suyamvaram — Directed by 14 directors • Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga • Azhagarsamy • 2000 — Kannan Varuvaan • Unnai Kann Theduthey • 2001 — Ullam Kollai Poguthae • Rishi • Azhagana Naatkal • 2003 — Anbe Sivam • Winner • 2004 — Giri • 2005 — London • Thaka Thimi Tha • Chinna • 2006 — Rendu • 2010 — Nagaram Marupakkam • 2012 — Kalakalappu — 25th Film • 2013 — Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru — Partially reshot in Telugu as Something Something • 2014 — Aranmanai • 2015 — Aambala • 2016 — Aranmanai 2 • 2018 — Kalakalappu 2 • 2019 — Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven • Action • 2021 — Aranmanai 3 • 2022 — Coffee with Kadhal • 2024 — Aranmanai 4 — Partially reshot in Telugu as Baak • 2025 — Madha Gaja Raja — Delayed release, Filmed in 2012 • Gangers • 2026 — Mookuthi Amman 2 — Filming • 2027 — Purushan — Filming

Sundar C film singing credits • Year — Title — Song — Composer — Notes • 2008 — Sandai — "Vaadee En Kappakezhungu" — Dhina — Debut • 2010 — Guru Sishyan — "Subaiya Subaiya" — Dhina — Sung with Sathyaraj

Sundar C film producer credits • Year — Title — Director — Notes • 2016 — Aranmanai 2 — Himself — Co-producer • 2016 — Hello Naan Pei Pesuren — S. Bhaskar • 2017 — Meesaya Murukku — Hiphop Tamizha • 2019 — Natpe Thunai — D. Parthiban Desingu • 2020 — Naan Sirithal — Raana • Naanga Romba Busy — Badri • 2021 — Aranmanai 3 — Himself — Co-producer • 2022 — Pattampoochi — Badri • 2024 — Aranmanai 4 — Himself — Co-producer • 2025 — Gangers • 2026 — Mookuthi Amman 2 • 2027 — Purushan

Sundar C television credits • Year — Serial — Credited as — Network — Language • Writer — Producer • 2017–2018 — Nandhini — Sun TV Udaya TV — Tamil Kannada • 2018 — Maya — Sun TV — Tamil • 2018 –2020 — Lakshmi Stores — Sun TV Gemini TV — Tamil Telugu • 2021 — Jothi — Sun TV — Tamil