Sundar C | |
---|---|
Born | Vinayagar Sundar Vel 21 January 1968 (age 56) Erode, Madras State, India |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1990–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Awards | Kalaimamani |
Vinayagar Sundar Vel (born 21 January 1968), known professionally as Sundar C, is an Indian film director, writer, actor and producer who 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), 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).
Vinayagar Sundar Vel was born on 21 January 1968 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. [1]
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. [2] 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. [3]
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. [4] He continued his directorial ventures with Chinna (2005) and Rendu (2006). [5] Subsequently, Sundar transitioned to acting, making his lead debut in the commercially successful Thalai Nagaram (2006). [6] [7] 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. [8] He then made a directorial comeback with Nagaram Marupakkam in 2010.
In 2012, Sundar directed the comedy film Kalakalappu , which was a commercial hit. [9] 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, [10] and also directed Vishal's action film Action . [11] His subsequent release as a director and actor, Aranmanai 3 , was successful at the box office despite being critically panned. [12] He later starred in Thalai Nagaram 2 . [13] In 2024, he directed and starred in Aranmanai 4 .
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Vaazhkai Chakkaram | constable | Cameo | [14] |
1993 | Moondravadhu Kann | studio assistant | Cameo | [15] |
1995 | Murai Maman | villager | Cameo | [16] |
1997 | Arunachalam | reporter | Cameo | [17] |
2006 | Thalai Nagaram | Subramaniam "Right" | Debut as lead | [18] |
2007 | Veerappu | Pulippandi | [19] | |
2008 | Sandai | Kathiresan "Kaththi" | [20] | |
Aayudham Seivom | Saidai Sathya | [21] | ||
2009 | Perumal | Perumal | [22] | |
Thee | ACP Sarathy "Samy" | [23] | ||
Aiyantham Padai | Prabhakaran | [24] | ||
2010 | Guru Sishyan | Eeti | [25] | |
Vaadaa | Vetrivel | [26] | ||
Nagaram Marupakkam | Selvam | [27] | ||
2012 | Murattu Kaalai | Kaalaiyan | [28] | |
2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | himself | Cameo | [29] |
Aranmanai | Ravi | [30] | ||
2016 | Aranmanai 2 | Ravi | [31] | |
Muthina Kathirikai | Muthupandi | [32] | ||
2019 | Action | passer-by | Cameo | [33] |
Iruttu | Inspector Chezhiyan | [34] | ||
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | Ravi | [35] | |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Inspector Kumaran | [36] | |
2023 | Thalainagaram 2 | Right | [37] | |
2024 | Aranmanai 4 | Adv. Saravanan | [38] | |
One 2 One† | TBA | Filming | [39] | |
Vallan† | TBA | Post-production | [40] |
Year | Title | Song | Composer | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Sandai | "Vaadee En Kappakezhungu" | Dhina | Debut | [75] |
2010 | Guru Sishyan | "Subaiya Subaiya" | Dhina | Sung with Sathyaraj | [76] |
Year | Title | Cast | Director | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Aranmanai 2 (co-producer) | Siddharth, Sundar C, Hansika Motwani, Trisha Krishnan, Poonam Bajwa | Sundar C | [77] |
2016 | Hello Naan Pei Pesuren | Vaibhav Reddy, Aishwarya Rajesh, Oviya, Karunakaran | S. Bhaskar | [78] |
2017 | Meesaya Murukku | Hiphop Tamizha, Aathmika, Vivek, RJ Vigneshkanth | Hiphop Tamizha | [79] |
2019 | Natpe Thunai | Hiphop Tamizha, Anagha, Karu Palaniappan, Harish Uthaman | Desingu Parthiban | [80] |
2020 | Naan Sirithal | Hiphop Tamizha, Iswarya Menon, K. S. Ravikumar, Sha Ra | Raana | [81] |
Naanga Romba Busy | Ashwin Kakumanu, Rittika Sen, Prasanna, Yogi Babu | Badri | [82] | |
2021 | Aranmanai 3 (co-producer) | Sundar C, Raashii Khanna, Arya, Andrea Jeremiah, Sakshi Agarwal | Sundar C | [83] |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Sundar C, Jai, Honey Rose | Badri | [84] |
2024 | Aranmanai 4 (co-producer) | Sundar C, Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashii Khanna | Sundar C | [85] |
Year | Serial | Credited as | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Producer | Writer | |||
2017–2018 | Nandini | [86] | ||
2018 | Maya | [87] | ||
2018 –2020 | Lakshmi Stores | [88] | ||
2021 | Jothi | [89] |
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. [90] [91]
Amar Choudary, known professionally as Jiiva, is an Indian actor and film producer who works mainly in Tamil cinema and a few Hindi and Malayalam films. He is the youngest son of film producer R. B. Choudary. He began his career as a child actor in 1991 in films produced by his father. He made his debut as a lead actor in his father's 50th production, Aasai Aasaiyai (2003). After Sivaji Ganesan, Jiiva is the only Tamil actor to have been awarded at the Cyprus International Film Festival, particularly for his performance in Raam (2005).
Hansika Motwani is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil and Telugu films. Hansika began her career as a child actor in Hindi films, and later went on to appear in lead roles in Telugu films, including Desamuduru (2007), Kantri (2008) and Maska (2009). She started her career in Tamil cinema with Mappillai (2011) and then appeared in several commercially successful Tamil films such as Engeyum Kadhal (2011), Velayudham (2011), Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Singam II (2013) and Aranmanai (2014). She has also acted in the Malayalam film Villain (2017).
Andrea is an Indian playback singer and actress who works predominantly in Tamil films apart from a few Telugu and Malayalam language films. She made her playback singing debut with "Kannum Kannum Nokia" in the Tamil film Anniyan, with music composed by Harris Jayaraj. She made her acting debut in the Tamil film Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007), with R. Sarathkumar and Jyothika and Malayalam debut with Annayum Rasoolum (2013) with Fahadh Faasil.
Lakshmi Rai, professionally credited as Raai Laxmi, is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages.
Vinay Rai is an Indian actor who primarily appears in Tamil films apart from a few Telugu and Malayalam films. He is best known for his performance in the films Unnale Unnale (2007), Jayamkondaan (2008), Endrendrum Punnagai (2013) and Aranmanai (2014). He turned villain in Thupparivaalan (2017) and has played negative roles in several films including Doctor (2021), Etharkkum Thunindhavan (2022), Christopher (2023) and Hanu-Man (2024).
Shiva is an Indian actor, comedian, radio jockey, and dialogue writer. He has featured in several Tamil language films. Prior to his acting career, Shiva worked as a radio jockey with Radio Mirchi. Acting mainly in comedy films, he rose to fame following his performances in the Venkat Prabhu directorials Chennai 600028 and Saroja, before also featuring in Thamizh Padam. His tenure with Radio Mirchi earned him the nickname Mirchi Shiva. He is called by fans as Agila Ulaga Superstar.
Anjali is an Indian actress and model who appears in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films. Following a stint in modelling, she was cast in starring roles in two Telugu productions; her debut film was the Telugu thriller film Photo (2006). She then bagged a role and gained attention in the film Kattradhu Thamizh (2007) with Jiiva. In 2010 and 2011, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil, for her performances in Angaadi Theru and Engaeyum Eppothum, respectively, and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Angadi Theru, subsequently recognised as one of the "finest young actors" in Tamil cinema, and noted for mostly playing "performance-oriented roles".
Vimal is an Indian actor known for his appearances in Tamil films. He gained recognition with his credited appearances and supporting role in the critically acclaimed movie Kanchivaram. He later played the lead role in Pandiraj's highly acclaimed film Pasanga in 2009.
Nagaram Marupakkam also known simply as Nagaram is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Sundar C., who plays the lead role and also co-wrote and co-produced the film. Co-produced by his wife Khushbu, the film also stars Anuya Bhagvath and Vadivelu in pivotal roles and features music by Thaman. Sundar's first directorial after four years, Nagaram released on 19 November 2010, it is based on the 1993 American film Carlito's Way. The film is very well known for comedy sequences and portrayal of the comic character "Style Pandi" by Vadivelu.
Helen Nelson, better known professionally by her stage name Oviya, is an Indian actress who works in the Tamil and Malayalam films. She made her breakthrough as an actress in Sarkunam's rural romantic comedy Kalavani (2010), before appearing in other films including Pandiraj's Marina (2012), Moodar Koodam (2013) and Madha Yaanai Koottam (2013). Oviya has also enjoyed box office success through her roles in Sundar C's Kalakalappu (2012) and the horror comedy Yaamirukka Bayamey (2014). In 2017, Oviya appeared on the reality series Bigg Boss Tamil 1.
Kalakalappu (transl. Humour) is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Sundar C. and produced by his wife Khushbu. It stars Vimal, Shiva, Santhanam, Anjali and Oviya and with music composed by Vijay Ebenezer. It was originally titled Masala Cafe, but was later renamed to Kalakalappu. The film released on 11 May 2012 to positive reviews, and became a commercial success. The film is 25th directorial venture for Sundar. The film was remade in Telugu as Jump Jilani. In 2018, the film had a spiritual successor Kalakalappu 2. The film is loosely based on the 2009 German film Soul Kitchen.
Kalakalappu 2 is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed and co-written by Sundar C. and produced by Khushbu. It is a spiritual successor to the 2012 film Kalakalappu. The film stars Jiiva, Jai, Shiva, Nikki Galrani and Catherine Tresa.
Aranmanai (transl. Palace) is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language horror comedy film written and directed by Sundar C. The film stars Sundar alongside an ensemble cast including Hansika Motwani, Vinay Rai, Andrea Jeremiah, Raai Laxmi, Santhanam, Kovai Sarala, Manobala, Chitra Lakshmanan and Nithin Sathya. This film was the first installment in Aranmanai film series. In the film, When a family returns to their hometown to sell their ancestral palace. However, their arrival is marked by supernatural events, and Ravi, a relative of the family, decides to uncover the truth.
Aranmanai 2 is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film directed and co-written by Sundar C. The film stars Sundar, Siddharth, Trisha, Hansika Motwani, Poonam Bajwa, Soori, Kovai Sarala, Manobala, Chitra Lakshmanan and Radharavi and Vaibhav Reddy. The film was a sequel to 2014 Tamil blockbuster Aranmanai, and second installment in the Aranmanai. The film revolves around Murali (Siddharth) who returns to his ancestral home along with his fiancée Anitha (Trisha) when his father lands in a coma under mysterious circumstances. His life takes a turn when he uncovers his family's dark secrets with Ravi (Sundar).
U. K. Senthil Kumar is an Indian cinematographer, who has worked in the Tamil and Malayalam film industries.
Madhusudhan Rao is an Indian actor, who has appeared predominantly in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films. He has appeared in films including Autonagar Surya (2014), Goli Soda (2014), Kathakali (2016), Kaashmora (2016), Adam Joan (2017), Kalakalappu 2 (2018), Aranmanai 3 (2021),Theerpugal Virkapadum (2021) and Taanakkaran (2022).
Avni Cinemax, also operating as Avni Movies and Avni Telemedia, is an Indian film production and film distribution company run by the married couple Khushbu Sundar and Sundar C. Established in 2004, the company's name is inspired by the first two letters of their daughter Avantika's name.
Vichu Vishwanath is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films and serials. He has worked in comedy and supporting roles, often associating with director Sundar C.
Aranmanai 3 is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film written and directed by Sundar C. The film stars Sundar alongside an ensemble cast including Arya, Raashii Khanna and Andrea Jeremiah, with Sakshi Agarwal, Vivek, Myna Nandhini, Yogi Babu, Nalini, Manobala, Sampath Raj, Baby Ovi Bhandarkar, Vincent Asokan, Madhusudhan Rao and Vela Ramamoorthy. It is the third instalment in the Aranmanai film series, produced by Khushbu Sundar under Avni Cinemax, with cinematography by U. K. Senthil Kumar, music composed by C. Sathya, and film editing by Fenny Oliver. The story revolves around Jyothi (Khanna), who is threatened by a vengeful spirit, as she tries to discover the truth with her relative Ravi (Sundar).
Aranmanai 4 is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film directed by Sundar C, who co-wrote the film with Venkatt Ragavan and S. B. Ramadass. It is produced by Khushbu Sundar's Avni Cinemax and A. C. S. Arun Kumar's Benzz Media (P) Ltd. The film stars Sundar, leading an ensemble cast that includes Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashii Khanna, Ramachandra Raju, Santhosh Prathap, Kovai Sarala, Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh and Delhi Ganesh in pivotal roles. It is the fourth installment in the Aranmanai film series. Hiphop Tamizha composed the music, while E. Krishnasamy and Fenny Oliver handled the cinematography and editing, respectively.