What Led Sundar C to Withdraw from the Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan Project Thalaivar 173? The Director Speaks Out

Thalaiavar 173, the film uniting Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, was announced in November of the previous year with a Pongal 2027 release. Sundar C was originally slated to direct but withdrew shortly after due to unforeseen circumstances. In a conversation with Behindwoods, Sundar C explained his reasons for leaving: he felt the pressure was overwhelming, having worked for 16 years on films aligned with his vision. He struggled with effectively conveying his vision during production, felt unable to stand firm on decisions, and recognized that he couldn’t remain true to the project or the actors involved. He communicated his decision to Rajinikanth before leaving. Following his withdrawal, Cibi Chakravarthy was appointed to direct with a new storyline. Sundar C also mentioned his upcoming projects, including Purushan, starring Vishal and Tamannaah Bhatia, produced by Benzz Media and Khushbu Sundar, with music by Hiphop Tamizha. Thalaivar 173 continues to attract attention despite Sundar C’s exit, with Cibi Chakravarthy working on script adjustments as per Rajinikanth’s requests. The film is produced by Kamal Haasan under Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) and R. Mahendran.