Sundar C

Not to be confused with Sundar C. Babu.

For other uses, see Sundar.

Vinayagar Sundar Vel (born 21 January 1968), known professionally as Sundar C, is an Indian actor, filmmaker, and playback singer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He has directed over 30 films and received the Kalaimamani award. He is one of the most popular filmmakers in Tamil cinema.^[1]

Sundar C
Sundar at Muthina Kathirika Audio Launch
Born	Vinayagar Sundar Vel 21 January 1968 (1968-01-21) (age 57) Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations	Actor Film director Screenwriter Playback singer Film producer
Years active	1990–present
Spouse	Khushbu Sundar ​ (m. 2000)​
Children	2
Awards	Kalaimamani

His notables 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 Nandini (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

Vinayagar Sundar Vel was born on January 31, 1968 in Erode, Tamil Nadu. His parents are Chidambaram Pillai and Theivanai 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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5] He continued his directorial ventures with Chinna (2005) and Rendu (2006).^[6] Subsequently, Sundar transitioned to acting, making his lead debut in the commercially successful Thalai Nagaram (2006).^[7][8] 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.^[9] He then made a directorial comeback with Nagaram Marupakkam in 2010.

In 2012, Sundar directed the comedy film Kalakalappu, which was a commercial hit.^[10] 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,^[11] and also directed Vishal's action film Action (2019).^[12] His subsequent release as a director and actor, Aranmanai 3 (2021), was successful at the box office despite being critically panned.^[13] He later starred in Thalai Nagaram 2 (2023).^[14] Later, he directed and starred in Aranmanai 4 (2024).

Filmography

Films

Key

†	Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

As actor

Sundar C film acting credits

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
1990	Vaazhkai Chakkaram	Constable	Cameo appearance	[15]
1993	Moondravadhu Kann	Studio assistant		[16]
1995	Murai Maman	Villager		[17]
1997	Arunachalam	Reporter		[18]
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]
	Vaada	Vetrivel		[27]
	Nagaram Marupakkam	Selvam		[28]
2012	Murattu Kaalai	Kaalaiyan		[29]
2014	Ninaithathu Yaaro	Himself	Cameo appearance	[30]
	Aranmanai	Lawyer 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	Lawyer Saravanan		[39]
2025	Vallan	Inspector Divakar		[40]
	Gangers	Saravanan IPS		[41]
TBA	One 2 One †	TBA	Filming	[42]

As director

Sundar C film directing and writing credits

Year	Title	Notes	Ref.
				1995	Murai Maman		[17]
Murai Mappillai		[43]
1996	Ullathai Allitha		[44]
	Mettukudi		[45]
1997	Arunachalam	Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film	[46]
	Janakiraman		[47]
1998	Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar		[48]
1999	Unnai Thedi		[49]
	Suyamvaram	Directed by 14 directors	[50]
	Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga		[51]
2000	Azhagarsamy		[52]
	Kannan Varuvaan		[53]
	Unnai Kann Theduthey		[54]
2001	Ullam Kollai Poguthae		[55]
	Rishi		[56]
	Azhagana Naatkal		[57]
2003	Anbe Sivam		[58]
	Winner		[59]
2004	Giri		[60]
2005	London		[61]
	Thaka Thimi Tha		[62]
	Chinna		[63]
2006	Rendu		[64]
2010	Nagaram Marupakkam		[65]
2012	Kalakalappu	25th Film	[66]
2013	Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru	Partially reshot in Telugu as Something Something	[67]
2014	Aranmanai		[68]
2015	Aambala		[69]
2016	Aranmanai 2		[70]
2018	Kalakalappu 2		[71]
2019	Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven		[72]
	Action		[73]
2021	Aranmanai 3		[74]
2022	Coffee with Kadhal		[75]
2024	Aranmanai 4	Partially reshot in Telugu as Baak	[76]
2025	Madha Gaja Raja	Delayed release, Filmed in 2012	[77]
	Gangers		[78]
	Mookuthi Amman 2 †	Filming	[79]

As singer

Sundar C film singing credits

Year	Title	Song	Composer	Notes	Ref.
2008	Sandai	"Vaadee En Kappakezhungu"	Dhina	Debut	[80]
2010	Guru Sishyan	"Subaiya Subaiya"	Dhina	Sung with Sathyaraj	[81]

As producer

Main article: Avni Cinemax

Sundar C film producer credits

Year	Title	Director	Ref.
2016	Aranmanai 2 (co-producer)	Sundar C	[82]
2016	Hello Naan Pei Pesuren	S. Bhaskar	[83]
2017	Meesaya Murukku	Hiphop Tamizha	[84]
2019	Natpe Thunai	Desingu Parthiban	[85]
2020	Naan Sirithal	Raana	[86]
	Naanga Romba Busy	Badri	[87]
2021	Aranmanai 3 (co-producer)	Sundar C	[88]
2022	Pattampoochi	Badri	[89]
2024	Aranmanai 4 (co-producer)	Sundar C	[76]

Television

Sundar C television credits

Year	Serial	Credited as		Ref.
		Producer	Writer
2017–2018	Nandini	Y	Y	[90]
2018	Maya	Y	Y	[91]
2018 –2020	Lakshmi Stores	N	Y	[92]
2021	Jothi	Y	Y	[93]

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.^[94][95]