Tamil cinema fans and Superstar Rajinikanth’s admirers were thrilled when news broke that Sundar C would direct Thalaivar 173, but their joy has now turned to disappointment, as Sundar C has officially announced his exit from the film.
It was a prestigious project also involving Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan as producer. The excitement was rooted in their past collaboration on Arunachalam (1997), a box office hit that remains memorable for fans.
In a heartfelt letter dated 13th November 2025, Sundar C shared that unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances led him to step back from Rajinikanth’s project. He described Thalaivar 173 as a dream come true, expressing deep respect for both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He reflected on the valuable lessons and cherished moments spent with the two legends, and thanked them sincerely for their support and guidance.
Sundar C Steps Away from Thalaivar 173
Sundar C’s departure leaves a major question mark over the film’s direction. With the director’s role now vacant, the team behind Thalaivar 173 has yet to finalize who will helm this ambitious venture. Fans are eagerly waiting for clarity, especially since this marks Rajinikanth’s 173rd film, and expectations are sky-high.
Despite the setback, Sundar C reassured fans of his continued commitment to delivering quality entertainment and promised to make it up to those disappointed by the news. As the industry watches closely, all eyes are now on the producers to announce the new director and revive the momentum around this much-anticipated project.