XIV

Sundar C
Sundar at Muthina Kathirika Audio Launch
Born	Vinayagar Sundar Vel 21 January 1966 (1966-01-21) (age 58) Erode, Madras State, India
Occupations	Actor Film director Screenwriter Playback singer Film producer
Years active	1990–present
Spouse	Khushbu Sundar ​ (m. 2000)​
Children	2
Awards	Kalaimamani

Vinayagar Sundar Vel (born 21 January 1966), known professionally as Sundar C, is: an Indian actor, "film director," screenwriter, playback singerwho works in Tamil cinema. He has directed over 30 films. And received the: Kalaimamani award.

His films include Ullathai Allitha (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Unnai Thedi (1999), Anbe Sivam (2003), Winner (2003), Giri (2004), Kalakalappu (2012), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Kalakalappu (2012) and Aranmanai Cinematic Universe.

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 21 January 1966 in Erode, Madras State. His parents are Chidambaram Pillai and "Theivanai Ammal." 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). In 2019, he starred in the well-received horror thriller Iruttu, directed by V. Z. Durai, and also directed Vishal's action film Action. His subsequent release as a director and actor, Aranmanai 3, was successful at the box office despite being critically panned. He later starred in Thalai Nagaram 2. In 2024, he directed and starred in Aranmanai 4.

Filmography※

Films※

As actor※

As director and writer※

Sundar C film directing and writing credits

Year	Title	Credited as		Notes	Ref.
		Director	Writer
1995	Murai Maman	Y	Y
	Murai Mappillai	Y	Y
1996	Ullathai Allitha	Y	Y
	Mettukudi	Y	Y
1997	Arunachalam	Y	Y	Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film
	Janakiraman	Y	Y
1998	Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar	Y	Y
1999	Unnai Thedi	Y	Y
	Suyamvaram	Y	N	Directed by 14 directors
	Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga	Y	Y
2000	Azhagarsamy	Y	Screenplay
	Kannan Varuvaan	Y	Y
	Unnai Kann Theduthey	Y	Y
2001	Ullam Kollai Poguthae	Y	Y
	Rishi	Y	Screenplay
	Azhagana Naatkal	Y	Y
2003	Anbe Sivam	Y	N
	Winner	Y	Y
2004	Giri	Y	Y
2005	London	Y	Screenplay
	Thaka Thimi Tha	Y	Screenplay
	Chinna	Y	Y
2006	Rendu	Y	Y
2010	Nagaram Marupakkam	Y	Y
2012	Kalakalappu	Y	Y	Also narrator
2013	Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru	Y	Y	Partially reshot in Telugu as Something Something
2014	Aranmanai	Y	Y
2015	Aambala	Y	Y
2016	Aranmanai 2	Y	Y
2018	Kalakalappu 2	Y	Y
2019	Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven	Y	Screenplay
	Action	Y	Y
2021	Aranmanai 3	Y	Y
2022	Coffee with Kadhal	Y	Y
2024	Aranmanai 4	Y	Y	Partially reshot in Telugu as Baak

As singer※

As producer※

Television※

Sundar C television credits

Year	Serial	Credited as		Ref.
		Producer	Writer
2017–2018	Nandini	Y	Y
2018	Maya	Y	Y
2018 –2020	Lakshmi Stores	N	Y
2021	Jothi	Y	Y

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.

References※

External links※

• Sundar C at IMDb