The announcement of a new film starring superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, tentatively titled #Thalaivar173, sent waves of excitement through the Tamil film industry and their legion of fans. This long-awaited collaboration, produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, was a dream project for many. However, the initial euphoria was short-lived when the announced director, Sundar C, opted out of the project just days later, citing "unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances."
This sudden departure ignited a firestorm of speculation and unsavory commentary on social media. While many theories about the exit circulated, a section of online trolls crossed a line, directing disrespectful and misogynistic remarks not only at Sundar C but also at his wife, renowned actor and public figure Kushboo Sundar.
Kushboo's Fiery Retorts to Online Hate
Instead of ignoring the vile comments, Kushboo Sundar decided to confront the trolls head-on with her trademark wit and sharp tongue. She took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to deliver a series of stinging replies that quickly went viral.
When one user insinuated that Sundar C left the project because Rajinikanth had asked Kushboo to perform an item song, her response was swift and sarcastic. She replied in Tamil, "Ile, unga veetule irundhu yaaravadhu aaduvaikkalamnu nenacho", which translates to, "No, we were thinking of roping in someone from your family for that."
Another troll claimed that Sundar C was thrown out of the movie due to a "pathetic story narration" and questioned if the industry should discard him. To this, Kushboo issued a direct challenge, writing, "Yen seruppu size 41, adi vaanga thayaara?" meaning, "My slipper size is 41. Are you ready to get beaten with it?"
A Stand Against Disrespect and Hearsay
Kushboo's clapbacks did not stop there. Reacting to a meme that featured Rajinikanth running away from her, which was presented as the reason for the film's troubles, she questioned the user's upbringing. She wrote, "Appadidhaan un amma unnai peththaangala? Thanks for the info," or "Is that how your mother raised you?"
She also shut down a user who alleged that Sundar C was dropped for narrating a "subpar story," retorting, "And you tweet and raise questions on hearsay?? What a disaster you are." Her responses highlighted her refusal to let baseless rumors and personal attacks go unanswered.
What's Next for Thalaivar173?
Following the director's exit, producer Kamal Haasan addressed the situation, confirming that the search for a new script is underway. He stated that Sundar C had already explained his reasons for withdrawal and that he had nothing to add. Kamal Haasan emphasized that the project will only move forward once his star, Rajinikanth, is fully satisfied with a quality script, confirming that Raaj Kamal Films International remains committed to bankrolling the film.
The entire episode underscores the toxic side of fandom and online culture, where personal attacks often overshadow reasoned discussion. Kushboo Sundar's powerful and unapologetic stance has been widely noted, serving as a strong message against online trolling.
