Sundaram's illustrious journey in the film industry began in the 1960s, preceded by a period of honing his writing skills in the realm of stage plays. Prior to his foray into cinema, Sundaram had already made a name for himself as a playwright, with his inaugural venture, "Vietnam Veedu", serving as a catalyst for his subsequent success. This groundbreaking play, penned for the esteemed Sivaji Nataka Mandram and starring the legendary Sivaji Ganesan in the role of Prestige Padmanabha Iyer, showcased Sundaram's remarkable storytelling abilities and earned him widespread recognition.
