In Tamil cinema, directing a film with both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan would be considered the ultimate career milestone. Yet veteran filmmaker Sundar C turned his back on exactly that opportunity — and he’s finally opened up about why. The answer is refreshingly human, and the industry is listening.

Thalaivar 173 — Overview

Detail	Info
Film	Thalaivar 173 (Working Title)
Stars	Rajinikanth & Kamal Haasan
Announcement Date	November 2025
Original Director	Sundar C (exited)
Current Director	Cibi Chakaravarthi
Planned Release	Pongal 2027
Next Rajinikanth Film	Jailer 2 (Director: Nelson Dilipkumar)

What Is Thalaivar 173?

Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan announced in November 2025 that they are set to star together in a film, tentatively titled Thalaivar 173, planned for release around Pongal 2027, with Sundar C as the director. However, days after the announcement, Sundar C issued a statement confirming his exit, citing “unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances” as his reason for walking away from such a high-profile collaboration. SoccerPunter

The reunion of two Tamil cinema titans after 47 years was always going to be enormous. But for one director, the enormity itself became the problem. Learn more about this historic on-screen reunion of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan on Wikipedia. For the latest Tamil cinema updates, check Technosports.

Sundar C’s Honest Explanation — In His Own Words

Speaking to Behindwoods, Sundar C revealed: “To be honest, it was too much pressure for me. For the past 16 years, I’ve made films the way I wanted, based on what I felt would work with the audience. But I don’t have the capacity to make people understand this during production. I don’t know how to narrate a film effectively, and at the same time, I get compromised easily without putting up a fight.” SoccerPunter

There’s something genuinely admirable about this level of self-awareness. Not every filmmaker has the honesty to admit when a project is beyond their comfort zone — especially one this colossal.

He further elaborated: “So if I do a big film like this, it won’t be just my decisions. I felt the pressure and realised I couldn’t stay true to the project or the people involved. That’s why I stepped away at the very beginning stage itself.” He also confirmed that he personally informed Rajinikanth about his decision. SoccerPunter

His Official Statement at the Time

In his earlier official statement after exiting, Sundar C described it as a difficult decision, saying his association with both icons went back a long way and that he would always hold them in the highest regard. He added that the special moments shared over those days would be cherished forever, and that they had taught him invaluable lessons he would carry forward. SoccerPunter

That’s a graceful exit if there ever was one. Stay updated on all developments around Thalaivar 173 and Tamil cinema news at Technosports.

Who Replaced Him & What’s Next?

Following Sundar C’s departure, director Cibi Chakaravarthi was brought on board to helm Thalaivar 173. Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life and is currently filming an untitled project. Rajinikanth will next be seen in Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer 2. SoccerPunter

FAQs

Q: Why did Sundar C leave Thalaivar 173 with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan?

Sundar C revealed that the scale and pressure of directing both legends together was too overwhelming, and that he couldn’t stay true to the project or the people involved while working under those conditions, prompting him to step away at the very beginning stage. SoccerPunter

Q: Who is now directing Thalaivar 173 after Sundar C’s exit?

Director Cibi Chakaravarthi has been brought on board to direct Thalaivar 173, which stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan and is planned for release around Pongal 2027.