Sundar C

Sundarvel Chidambaram, professionally known as Sundar C, is a 58-year-old filmmaker, actor, and playback singer born on January 21, 1968, in Erode, Tamil Nadu. Despite declaring only 10th standard education in his affidavit, he has built a successful career in the Tamil film industry as a feature film director, actor, and producer. With declared assets of approximately ₹46.73 crores (movable: ₹9.11 crores, immovable: ₹37.62 crores) and liabilities of ₹6.87 crores, his financial profile reflects his established entertainment career. He is married to actress and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar, who actively supports his political campaign. Sundar C is making his electoral debut in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, contesting from Madurai Central constituency as a candidate of the Puthiya Neethi Katchi (PNK) under the AIADMK-led alliance aligned with the National Democratic Alliance. His entry into politics marks a significant career shift, with no prior history of party affiliations or political activism. He faces a challenging contest against incumbent DMK minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR), who won the seat in both 2016 and 2021 with significant margins. Madurai Central has historically been a DMK stronghold, with PTR securing 49.64% of votes in 2021 against AIADMK's 31.50%. His campaign focuses on addressing local civic issues including inadequate drainage, poor road conditions, and Vaigai River pollution, while criticizing the DMK government for alleged corruption in the Madurai Corporation, particularly a property tax scam. However, his political debut has drawn mixed reactions—critics, including actor Prakash Raj, have questioned his sudden entry into politics and lack of prior social or political activism. Sundar C has had to address misinformation, including denying fake rumors about plans to ban meat shops in Madurai. With zero declared criminal cases and an active social media presence on Twitter/X and Facebook, he presents himself as a fresh face promising new leadership and accountability. Voters should note that this is Sundar C's first electoral contest with no proven track record in governance or public service. While his celebrity status and film industry success bring name recognition, his lack of political experience and the historical DMK dominance in this constituency present significant challenges. His campaign promises to tackle corruption and civic issues will need to resonate with voters who have seen PTR represent the constituency for two consecutive terms.