Director Sundar C’s exit from ‘Thalaivar 173’ has created a major stir in Kollywood, as the film was set to unite three towering names—Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Sundar C—under Raaj Kamal Films International.
This was one of Tamil cinema’s most anticipated combinations because Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth had not collaborated on a film project in decades, making the announcement symbolic for fans of both veterans.
Sundar C, known for leading large-scale commercial films such as ‘Aranmanai’, ‘Anbe Sivam’, and ‘Giri’, released a statement explaining that “unavoidable circumstances” had forced him to withdraw shortly after the project’s grand reveal.
His departure has now created a rare mid-announcement vacuum for a film of this scale. Industry insiders note that Raaj Kamal Films International has been rapidly expanding its slate after the massive success of ‘Vikram’, and the production house is now in urgent discussions to finalize a new director who can maintain the momentum of Rajinikanth’s 173rd film.