Months after director Sundar C opened up about stepping away from what is now Rajinikanth's Dharman, actor-politician and Sundar C's wife, Khushbu, has shared her perspective on the filmmaker's decision, while insisting that she is "not the right person" to comment on the circumstances behind his exit.

Speaking to Behindwoods, Khushbu said the decision ultimately rested with Sundar C as the film's director. "As a director, it is up to him to decide what will work and what won't. I think that's between the three of them. I am not the right one to comment on it," she said.

The project, which was originally announced with Sundar C at the helm and Kamal Haasan producing Rajinikanth's landmark collaboration with Raaj Kamal Films International, eventually underwent multiple directorial changes before Ashwath Marimuthu came on board. The film was officially launched earlier this year under the title Dharman.

Khushbu recalled that everyone around Sundar C was thrilled when the opportunity first came his way. "He was excited, but we were even more excited than him," she said, adding that the filmmaker nevertheless chose to step away "in a very dignified way."

She also revealed that she was the one who informed Kamal Haasan of Sundar C's decision. According to Khushbu, Kamal was in Delhi when Sundar decided to withdraw from the project. "He asked me to pass on the message, and I was the one who informed Kamal sir of his decision," she said.

Explaining why she stepped in, Khushbu said Sundar C viewed Kamal as his producer, whereas she shared a personal friendship with the veteran actor. "He had some hesitation in conveying it, so I conveyed it to him as a friend," she said, adding that she did not wish to elaborate further given the stature of everyone involved.

Earlier this year, Sundar C had revealed that he exited the project because he felt he would not be able to stay true to his creative instincts under the pressure of mounting a film of that scale. He maintained that the decision had nothing to do with his relationship with either Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan and said he chose to walk away at a very early stage rather than compromise on the film.

Dharman, featuring Rajinikanth in the role of a doctor, also stars Simran and Raashi Khanna. The film is currently under production.