What happened with director Sundar C and 'Thalaivar 173'?

Sundar C, who was reportedly set to direct Rajinikanth's film 'Thalaivar 173', stepped out of the project last month due to unforeseen reasons, shocking fans.

How do directors balance star power and audience expectations when directing a leading Tamil actor?

Directors must cater to the sky-high expectations of the star's massive fan base while also maintaining their own creative vision, which can be a delicate balancing act.

Why is directing a leading Tamil actor considered a "dream opportunity" and "trial by fire"?

Directing a top star like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith, or Vijay is a rare chance that can propel a director's career to new heights, but also carries immense responsibility and high stakes.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Directing Tamil Cinema's Biggest Stars: A Delicate Balancing Act

Directing Tamil Cinema's Biggest Stars: A Delicate Balancing Act

17 Nov

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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

Directing Tamil Cinema's Biggest Stars: A Delicate Balancing Act

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.