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Directing Tamil Cinema's Biggest Stars: A Delicate Balancing Act
17 Nov
Summary
- Directing leading Tamil actors is a "dream opportunity" and "trial by fire"
- Successful reunions like 'Jailer' sequel spark excitement, but creative freedom can be tested
- Sundar C's reported exit from 'Thalaivar 173' highlights the high stakes involved
Tamil cinema has produced several capable filmmakers over the years, while also paving the way for several newcomers. Directing a leading actor in the Tamil film industry is not only a huge responsibility for any filmmaker, but also a rare opportunity. As of 2025-11-17T08:22:54+00:00, this opportunity can either propel a director's career to new heights or cause it to come crashing down, especially when working with heavyweights like Superstar Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith, or Vijay.
The director's professional journey is often closely tied to the success or failure of such projects. This can be seen in the recent case of director Sundar C, who was reportedly set to direct Rajinikanth's film 'Thalaivar 173'. However, news broke last month that Sundar C had stepped out of the project due to unforeseen reasons, shocking fans.
Directing a leading star is a delicate balancing act, as the director must cater to the sky-high expectations of the star's massive fan base while also maintaining their own creative vision. This challenge has been acknowledged by filmmakers like Kamal Haasan, who stated that when working with a leading actor, "you are not just telling a story - you are handling expectations, emotions, and the weight of a fanbase that spans generations."
