Veteran filmmaker Sundar C has finally opened up about his decision to walk away from the much-discussed Thalaivar 173 project with Rajinikanth. In a recent interview, the director candidly revealed that the decision came purely out of creative pressure and personal limitations rather than any conflict behind the scenes.
Creative Pressure and Personal Limitations
Sundar C revealed that directing a massive star-driven film like Thalaivar 173 felt overwhelming for him. He admitted that for the last 16 years, he has been making films based entirely on his own instincts and understanding of audience tastes. However, handling a project of this scale demanded a different approach, and he felt he could not completely adapt to it.
Inability to Push Creative Vision
According to the director, one of the biggest reasons for stepping away was his inability to strongly push his creative vision during production. He honestly confessed that he is not someone who can aggressively defend his ideas or explain them convincingly to a large production setup. Sundar C said he often compromises easily instead of fighting for his decisions, and he feared that would ultimately affect the film’s quality.
The filmmaker also shared that he did not want to disappoint either the team or the fans by delivering something he could not fully stand by. Realizing this at the very early stage itself, he chose to exit the project before things moved further.
A Nostalgic Family Entertainer
Interestingly, Sundar C revealed that the core idea behind the film was a nostalgic, family-oriented entertainer in the style of Rajinikanth’s beloved 90s films. While the collaboration did not happen now, the director confirmed that the concept is still alive and that he plans to make it someday with another hero.
No Issues With Rajinikanth
The director also clarified that there was absolutely no issue with Rajinikanth. In fact, he informed the superstar personally before publicly announcing his exit. Sundar C emotionally recalled that Rajini told him, “Neenga eppo venalum sollunga, namma pannalaam,” assuring him that they could collaborate anytime in the future.
Speaking further, Sundar C fondly remembered working with Rajinikanth on Arunachalam and said that during those days, he and the superstar discussed every single scene and dialogue together. However, he noted that over the last 30 years, both cinema and star images have evolved tremendously, and recreating that same magic today is not as simple as it once was.
The interview has now sparked fresh discussions among fans, with many appreciating Sundar C’s honesty and self-awareness. The project has since moved forward with other directors, though Thalaivar 173 has faced multiple director changes. Even though Thalaivar 173 did not materialize with Sundar C, the possibility of a future collaboration between the director and Rajinikanth still remains very much open.
