Sundar C.
Vinayagar Sundar Vel, known professionally as Sundar C., is an Indian film director, actor and producer. He has directed over 34 films in Tamil and acted in 17 movies as the protagonist.
Sundar C. | |
---|---|
Born | Vinayagar Sundar Vel |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1990–present |
Spouse | [2] |
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 (2014), Aambala (2015) and Kalakalappu 2 (2018).
Sundar C is one of the few directors who directed Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan (in Arunachalam (1997) and Anbe Sivam (2003), respectively.
He took a short break from direction, after his initial launch as an actor in 2006, with the film Thalai Nagaram, which became a commercial success.[3][4] He returned to direction with his trade mark comedy roller coaster in the movie Kalakalappu in 2012 and it went on to become a success.
His successful career as a director continued with the 2014 Aranmanai film series.
He also produced the TV series Nandini (2017-2018), along with his wife ( the actress Khushbu) aired on Sun TV. He also produced movies like Hello Naan Pei Pesuren (2016), Meesaya Murukku (2017), Natpe Thunai (2019), Naan Sirithal (2020), Naanga Romba Busy (2020) and Pattampoochi (2022).
Career
Sundar C started his career as an assistant director to Manivannan and made his directorial debut with the movie Murai Maman (1995). Sundar revealed that he initially wanted a leading action hero to play the lead role in his film and approached Sarathkumar, but the producer was unable to sign the actor. Subsequently, the director chose Jayaram to play the lead role in the film and also said that he tapped into his innate sense of humour, as Jayaram was very famous for his humour in Malayalam.[5] Murai Maman did well at the box office and Sundar went on to direct many humour themed films such as Ullathai Allitha (1996), Mettukudi (1996) and Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999) with Karthik. In 1997, he directed his highest-profile project till date, Arunachalam, with Rajinikanth. He has also occasionally directed action and thriller films such as Unnai Kann Theduthey (2000), Rishi (2001) and Chinna (2005).[6] His favourite heroine was actress Rambha; as a Director he made her as his lead heroine in his 6 movies.
In the late 1990s, Sundar C had a brief career slump, where several of his films became stuck or did not have a theatrical release. Projects including collaborations with Karthik in Athai Magan featuring Ramya Krishnan, Kadhal Solla Vanthen featuring Isha Koppikar, and Vaazhkkai Vaazhvatharkke were affected.[7][8][9] Likewise, a proposed projects titled Paarvai with Jayaram and Khushbu, was also shelved.[10][11]
In 2003, he directed two films Anbe Sivam and Winner. Winner was successful and the comedy scenes from that film became hugely popular. However, Anbe Sivam, despite being critically acclaimed, under performed at the box office, but became a cult classic. Anbe Sivam remains his only humane realism movie till today out of his regular commercial cinema genre.[12] After directing Rendu (2006), Sundar took a break from directing in order to concentrate on his acting career. He made his acting debut as lead actor with Thalai Nagaram (2006), which was well received. Then he went on to play lead roles with the commercially successful Veerappu (2007), directed by Badri and Sandai (2008) by Sakthi Chidambaram. He then made a comeback as a director with Nagaram Marupakkam (2010).
In 2012, written and directed Madha Gaja Raja but the film remains unreleased. Following Kalakalappu in 2012, he directed film like Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Aranmanai (2014), Aranmanai 2 (2016) and Kalakalappu 2 (2018). He acted in lead role in the horror thriller, Iruttu (2019) directed by V. Z. Durai. The film was released to positive reviews.[13] And directed Vishal's film, Action (2019).[14] His next release as a director and actor is Aranmanai 3, produced by Avni Cinemax , with his own production house. The film received negative reviews from critics, but becomes a box-office success, and marked as Hat-trick hit of his Aranmanai series.[15] And he also signed a new film as an lead actor in Thalai Nagaram 2 with V. Z. Durai. A sequel to the successful film Thalai Nagaram (2006).[16] Sundar also officially confirmed that he is going to make his fourth installment in Aranmanai series on 2023, will begin as Aranmanai 4.[17]
Filmography
As an actor
Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Vaazhkai Chakkaram | Constable | Cameo appearance | |
1993 | Moondravadhu Kann | Studio assistant | Cameo appearance | |
1995 | Murai Maman | Panchayat villager | Cameo appearance | [18] |
1997 | Arunachalam | Reporter | Cameo appearance | |
2006 | Thalai Nagaram | Subramaniam (Right) | Lead debut | [19] |
2007 | Veerappu | Pulippandi | [20] | |
2008 | Sandai | Kathiresan (Kaththi) | [21] | |
Aayudham Seivom | Saidai Sathya | [22] | ||
2009 | Perumal | Perumal | [23] | |
Thee | ACP Sarathy (Samy) | [24] | ||
Aiyantham Padai | Prabhakaran | [25] | ||
2010 | Guru Sishyan | Eeti | [26] | |
Vaadaa | Vetrivel | [27] | ||
Nagaram Marupakkam | Selvam | [28] | ||
2012 | Murattu Kaalai | Kaalaiyan | [29] | |
2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | Himself | Cameo appearance | [30] |
Aranmanai | Ravi | [31] | ||
2016 | Aranmanai 2 | Ravi | [32] | |
Muthina Kathirikai | Muthupandi | [33] | ||
2019 | Action | Passenger | Cameo appearance | [34] |
Iruttu | Inspector Chezhiyan | [35] | ||
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | Ravi | [36] | |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Inspector Kumaran | [37] | |
2023 | Thalainagaram 2 | Right | [38] | |
2024 | Aranmanai 4 † | Ravi | Filming | [39] |
One 2 One † | TBA | Filming | [40] | |
Vallan † | TBA | Post-production | [41] |
As a director and writer
Year | Film | Credited as | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | |||
1995 | Murai Maman | Directional debut | ||
Murai Mappillai | ||||
1996 | Ullathai Allitha | |||
Mettukudi | ||||
1997 | Arunachalam | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film | ||
Janakiraman | ||||
1998 | Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar | |||
1999 | Unnai Thedi | |||
Suyamvaram | Directed by fourteen directors | |||
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga | ||||
2000 | Azhagarsamy | |||
Kannan Varuvaan | ||||
Unnai Kann Theduthey | ||||
2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | |||
Rishi | ||||
Azhagana Naatkal | ||||
2003 | Anbe Sivam | |||
Winner | ||||
2004 | Giri | |||
2005 | London | |||
Thaka Thimi Tha | ||||
Chinna | ||||
2006 | Rendu | |||
2010 | Nagaram Marupakkam | |||
2012 | Kalakalappu | 25th Film as a director; also narrator | ||
2013 | Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru | Partially reshot in Telugu as Something Something | ||
2014 | Aranmanai | |||
2015 | Aambala | |||
2016 | Aranmanai 2 | |||
2018 | Kalakalappu 2 | |||
2019 | Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven | |||
Action | ||||
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | |||
2022 | Coffee With Kadhal | |||
2024 | Aranmanai 4 † | Filming[42] | ||
As a Singer
Year | Film | Song | Composer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Sandai | "Vaadee En Kappakezhungu" | Dhina | |
2010 | Guru Sishyan | "Subbaiyaa Subbaiyaa" | Sung with Sathyaraj |
Films
Year | Film | Cast | Director |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Aranmanai 2 (Co Producer) | Siddharth, Sundar C, Hansika Motwani, Trisha, Poonam Bajwa | Sundar C. |
2016 | Hello Naan Pei Pesuren | Vaibhav Reddy, Aishwarya Rajesh, Oviya, Karunakaran | S. Bhaskar |
2017 | Meesaya Murukku | Hip Hop Adhi, Aathmika, Vivek, Vigneshganth | Hip Hop Adhi |
2019 | Natpe Thunai | Hip Hop Adhi, Anagha, Karu Pazhaniyappan, Harish Uthaman | Desingu Parthiban |
2020 | Naan Sirithal | Hip Hop Adhi, Iswarya Menon, K. S. Ravikumar, Sha Ra | Raana |
Naanga Romba Busy | Ashwin Kakumanu, Rittika Sen, Prasanna, Yogi Babu | Badri | |
2021 | Aranmanai 3 (Co Producer) | Sundar C., Arya, Raashii Khanna, Vivek, Andrea Jeremiah, Sakshi Agarwal | Sundar C. |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Sundar C, Jai, Honey Rose | Badri |
2023 | Aranmanai 4 | Sundar C., Raashii Khanna, Tamannaah | Sundar C. |
Television
Serials
Year | Serial | Credited as | Channel | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Producer | Writer | |||
2017–2018 | Nandini | Sun TV Udaya TV | ||
2018 | Maya | Sun TV | ||
2018–2020 | Lakshmi Stores | Sun TV Gemini TV | ||
2021 | Jothi | Sun TV | ||
TBA | Nandini S2 | Sun TV |
Shows
Year | Serial | Role | Channel |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Ninaithale Innikum | Guest | Vendhar TV |
2016 | Simply Khushbu | Zee Tamil | |
2018 | Nandhini Kudumbam Special Show | Himself | Sun TV |
2019 | Vanakkam Tamizha | Guest | |
2022 | Dance Jodi Dance - Reloaded & Super Mom Maha Sangamam | Zee Tamil |
References
- "instagram". Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Heroines who fell for their directors". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- "Sundar C. is on a roll". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2 October 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- "Hat trick?". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008.
- "Sundar C - "Rajini said NO to that song!" - BOFTA Masterclass". 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- "Chinna review. Chinna Tamil movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- "Archived copy". www.tmcafe.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2000. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - https://web.archive.org/web/19991104071902/http://tamilmovies.com/news/pages/17.html
- "Athai Magan". members.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- "dinakaran". 16 November 2004. Archived from the original on 16 November 2004.
- "dinakaran". 23 November 2004. Archived from the original on 23 November 2004.
- "Anbe Sivam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 March 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- "Iruttu review: An engaging horror thriller". Sify. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Action (aka) Actionn review". Behindwoods. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "விமர்சனங்களை மீறி வசூலிக்கும் 'அரண்மனை 3'". Dinamalar (in Tamil). 30 January 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- "Sundar C begins shooting for 'Thalainagaram 2'!". Sify. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- First World Movie From India! - Sundar C | Exclusive Interview | Sangamithra | Kushboo, retrieved 31 July 2022
- "Murai Maman Tamil Movie - Critic Review". Moviecrow.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- "Movie Review : Thalainagaram". Sify. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Veerappu Review". Behindwoods.com. 26 November 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Review: Sandai is illogical". Rediff.com. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Aayudham Seivom Tamil Movie Review". IndiaGlitz.com. 30 June 2008. Archived from the original on 31 December 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Perumal Movie Review". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Movie Review : Review -Thee". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Aindham Padai is below average". Rediff.com. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Cinema Plus / Film Review : Viewer's woes – Guru Sishyan". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 14 May 2010. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "What's special in 'Vaada'?". IndiaGlitz.com. 3 April 2010. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Nagaram". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016.
- "Movie Review : Murattu Kaalai". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "Ninaithathu Yaro Movie Reviews, Stills & Wallpapers - Sulekha Movies". Movies.suleka.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- sudhir srinivasan (20 September 2014). "Aranmanai review: Scared by the clichés". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- "Aranmanai 2". Cineplex.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- "Muthina Kathirikai review. Muthina Kathirikai Tamil movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- Subramanian, Anupama (16 November 2019). "Action review: This Vishal film is strictly for Action Lovers". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Iruttu (2019) - Review, Star Cast, News, Photos". Cinestaan. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Sundar C gets ready for Aranmanai 3". News Today | First with the news. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- "Sundar C plays cop called Kumaran in crime thriller 'Pattam Poochi'". Mangalorean.com. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- "Thalainagaram 2 teaser: Sundar C is back as the deadly gangster, this time in a violent avatar". www.ottplay.com. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- "Vijay Sethupathi walks out of Aranmanai 4, Sundar C to play the lead". Only Kollywood. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- "Anurag Kashyap returns to Tamil with Sundar C's One 2 One". CinemaExpress. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- "Sundar C's next with VR Mani Seiyon titled 'Vallan'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- "Vijay Sethupathi, Sundar C come together for 'Aranmanai 4'". The Times of India. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.