Sundaravel Chidambaram (born 21 January 1968), known professionally as Sundar C, is an Indian politician, actor, filmmaker, and playback singer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. In 2026, Sundar C was an unsuccessful candidate from the Madurai Central constituency in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
He has directed over 37 films and received the Kalaimamani award. He is one of the most popular and commercial filmmakers in Tamil cinema.He has introduced Arun Vijay, Rambha, RJ Balaji, Malavika, Ankitha, Anushka Shetty, Aishwarya Lekshmi and Malavika Sharma as debutants and for debut to Tamil cinema respectively Hiphop Tamizha and K. Rajasekhar as music director & fight master respectively.
His notable films include Ullathai Allitha (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Unnai Thedi (1999), Anbe Sivam (2003), Winner (2003), Giri (2004), Kalakalappu (2012), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Aranmanai Cinematic Universe (2014-2024) and Madha Gaja Raja (2025).
Alongside his wife, he produced the television series Nandhini (2017-2018), Maya (2018) and Jothi (2021). His film production credits include Hello Naan Pei Pesuren (2016), Meesaya Murukku (2017), Natpe Thunai (2019), Naan Sirithal (2020), Naanga Romba Busy (2020) and Pattampoochi (2022).
Early life Sundar was born on 21 January 1968 in Erode, Tamil Nadu. His parents are Chidambaram Pillai and Deivanai Ammal, both of whom are respected in the Tamil community. On his father's recommendation, he adopted the name "Sundar C" to better suit the film industry.
Career Sundar began his career as an assistant director to Manivannan and made his directorial debut with the film Murai Maman in 1995. Initially, he intended to cast a leading action hero Sarathkumar for the lead role, but due to the producer's inability to secure the actor, Jayaram was selected instead, capitalizing on his comedic prowess. The film was a success at the box office. Sundar then continued to focus on comedy films, directing Ullathai Allitha (1996), Mettukudi (1996) and Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999), all starring Karthik. In 1997, he directed the high-profile Arunachalam, with Rajinikanth. The film won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, including Best Film.
Sundar started the new millennium by directing the thriller Unnai Kann Theduthey (2000) and the action film Rishi (2001). In 2003, he directed both Anbe Sivam and Winner. While Winner was commercially successful, Anbe Sivam—despite being critically acclaimed—underperformed at the box office but later became a cult classic. He continued his directorial ventures with Chinna (2005) and Rendu (2006). Subsequently, Sundar transitioned to acting, making his lead debut in the commercially successful Thalai Nagaram (2006). He continued to secure lead roles in hits like Veerappu (2007), directed by Badri, and Sandai (2008) by Sakthi Chidambaram. He received the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2009. He then made a directorial comeback with Nagaram Marupakkam in 2010.
In 2012, Sundar directed the comedy film Kalakalappu, which was a commercial hit. He followed it up with Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Aranmanai (2014), Aranmanai 2 (2016), and Kalakalappu 2 (2018). He starred in the well-received horror thriller Iruttu (2019), directed by V. Z. Durai, and also directed Vishal's action film Action (2019). His subsequent release as a director and actor, Aranmanai 3 (2021), was successful at the box office despite being critically panned. He later starred in Thalai Nagaram 2 (2023). Later, he directed and starred in Aranmanai 4 (2024).
In 2018, Sundar C was named in the "Tamil Leaks" social media campaign by Telugu actress Sri Reddy, who alleged that he and an executive producer named Ganesh had demanded sexual favours in exchange for a lead role during the Hyderabad schedule of the film Aranmanai. Sundar C categorically denied these claims, stating he had never met the actress and dismissing the allegations as false and defamatory. He subsequently announced his intention to initiate legal proceedings and file a defamation case against her. Reddy later provided a clarification, noting that while she had been introduced to the director on set and found him polite, the pressure for "compromise" primarily came from the executive producer, and she remained uncertain if Sundar C was directly aware of those specific arrangements.
Personal life In 2000, Sundar married actress Khushbu. After their marriage, she took his name as her surname and became known as Khushbu Sundar. They have two daughters, Avantika and Anandita, after whom they named their production house, Avni Cinemax.
Political career In 2026, Sundar C was announced as a candidate from the Madurai Central Assembly constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. He is contesting on behalf of the Puthiya Needhi Katchi (PNK), a party founded by A. C. Shanmugam, as part of the AIADMK-led Alliance in Tamil Nadu, which is aligned with the National Democratic Alliance.
Electoral performance + Tamil Nadu Legislative elections Elections Constituency Party Result % Votes 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Madurai Central ADMK 22.57%
Filmmaking style Sundar C is known for directing populist films intending to achieve mass appeal. Due to his back-to-back commercial success for more than 30 years, he is considered among the most popular "commercial" filmmakers in modern Tamil cinema. Comedy is the genre Sundar is best known for directing frequently, and he has mentioned Madhan's cartoons, Crazy Mohan and S. Ve. Shekher's plays as influences. Sundar claims to avoid vulgarity and pointless glamour in his films, which has drawn sceptism among viewers and critics. Acknowledging that his films may not always be well received by critics, he contends he is not discouraged by such criticism; he believes critics might be ostracised from intellectual circles if they positively review his films, which are intended for general audiences seeking entertainment, rather than intellectuals. He has, however, expressed sadness that he does not get the appreciation he deserves.
Filmography Films
As actor + Year Title Role Notes 1990 Vaazhkai Chakkaram Constable Cameo1993 Moondravadhu Kann Studio assistant 1995 Murai Maman Villager1997 Arunachalam Reporter2006 Thalai Nagaram Subramaniam "Right"Lead debut2007 Veerappu Pulippandi 2008 Sandai Kathiresan "Kaththi"Aayudham Seivom Saidai Sathya 2009 Perumal Perumal Thee ACP Sarathy "Samy"Aiyantham Padai Prabhakaran 2010Guru Sishyan Eeti Vaada Vetrivel Nagaram Marupakkam Selvam 2012Murattu Kaalai Kaalaiyan 2014 Ninaithathu Yaaro Himself CameoAranmanai Lawyer Ravi 2016 Aranmanai 2 Ravi Muthina Kathirikai Muthupandi 2017Meesaya MurukkuHimself Cameo; also producer 2019 Action Passer-byCameo IruttuInspector Chezhiyan2021Aranmanai 3 Ravi2022PattampoochiInspector Kumaran2023Thalainagaram 2 Right2024Aranmanai 4Lawyer Saravanan2025VallanInspector DivakarGangersSaravanan2026Meesaya Murukku 2Himself Cameo; also producerFilming
As director + Year Title Notes 1995Murai Maman Murai Mappillai 1996 Ullathai Allitha Mettukudi 1997 Arunachalam Janakiraman 1998 Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar 1999 Unnai Thedi Suyamvaram Directed by 14 directorsUnakkaga Ellam Unakkaga Azhagarsamy 2000Kannan Varuvaan Unnai Kann Theduthey 2001 Ullam Kollai Poguthae Rishi Azhagana Naatkal 2003 Anbe Sivam Winner 2004 Giri 2005 London Thaka Thimi Tha Chinna 2006Rendu 2010Nagaram Marupakkam 2012 Kalakalappu 25th Film2013Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru Partially reshot in Telugu as Something Something 2014Aranmanai 2015Aambala 2016Aranmanai 2 2018Kalakalappu 2 2019Vantha Rajavathaan VaruvenAction 2021 Aranmanai 3 2022 Coffee with Kadhal 2024Aranmanai 4 Partially reshot in Telugu as Baak2025Madha Gaja Raja Delayed release, Filmed in 2012Gangers 2026Filming 2027Filming
As singer + Year Title Song Composer Notes 2008 Sandai "Vaadee En Kappakezhungu" Dhina Debut2010 Guru Sishyan "Subaiya Subaiya" Dhina Sung with Sathyaraj
As producer
+ Year Title Director Notes 2016 Aranmanai 2Himself Co-producer2016 Hello Naan Pei Pesuren S. Bhaskar2017 Meesaya Murukku Hiphop Tamizha2019 Natpe ThunaiD. Parthiban Desingu2020 Naan SirithalRaanaNaanga Romba Busy Badri2021Aranmanai 3Himself Co-producer2022PattampoochiBadri2024Aranmanai 4Himself Co-producer2025Gangers20262027
Television + Sundar C television creditsYearSerialCredited asNetworkLanguageWriterProducer2017–2018 Nandhini Sun TVUdaya TVTamilKannada2018 Maya Sun TVTamil2018 –2020 Lakshmi Stores Sun TVGemini TVTamilTelugu2021 Jothi Sun TVTamil
Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.1996Filmfare Awards SouthBest DirectorUllathai AllithaArunachalam1997Tami Nadu State Film Awards Best Film2009Kalaimamani Award20159th Vijay Awards Favourite Director Aranmanai202517th Edison Awards TamilBest Entertainer Of The Year Aranmanai 4Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards Best Entertaining Film
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