Samuthirakani

He did his B.Sc. in mathematics from the Rajapalayam Rajus College and further he even did Bachelor of Law from Ambedkar Law College. He dreamt of becoming an actor. However, people used to tell him that he does not have looks and do not know acting. So he would never become an actor. However, Samuthirakani entered cinema with dreams of making it as an actor.[11]

In 1997, he joined as an assistant director under K. Vijayan. Samuthirakani who always used to keep himself busy with work was noticed by K. Balachander and was roped in as assistant director for his 100th film Paarthale Paravasam. He also assisted Balachander in the mega-serial Anni telecasted by Jaya TV. The director recalls that the work experience he gained under his mentor helped him in many ways while shooting Arasi and Selvi, the mega-serial telecasted in Sun TV, which were massive hits among housewives.[12] As an actor he worked as a junior artist, in Jannal serial, telecasted in 1998, directed by K.Balachander.

In the early 2000s, Samuthirakani attempted to break into film industry as a director. He notably launched a shelved film titled Uyir Nanbanukku starring Cheran, before making Unnai Charanadaindhen (2003) for S. P. B. Charan.[13][14]

However it was the blockbuster success of Naadodigal (2009) that established Samuthirakani as a director. Since then he has directed meaningful and message oriented films such as Poraali (2011), Nimirndhu Nil (2014) and Appa (2016). All these films have been remade in Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.[15]

He directed two Telugu films Shambo Shiva Shambo (2010) and Janda Pai Kapiraju (2015), he has been recognised more as an antagonist than a director.[16]

His performance in Vetrimaaran's Visaranai (2016) fetched him the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 63rd National Film Awards.[17]

Samuthirakani, who helmed and starred in the original Appa (2016), has directed the Malayalam version Aakashamittayee (2017) along with M. Padmakumar.[18]

He is also playing an important role in Rajinikanth's flick Kaala (2018).[19]

Samuthirakani's returns to direction with Naadodigal 2 (2020), a film that takes up the topic of equality.[20] In 2021, he played the main role in the Telugu film, Aakashavaani.[21] He also directed and acted in the fantasy comedy drama Vinodhaya Sitham. Samuthirakani has delivered a measured performance.[22]

• Media related to Samuthirakani at Wikimedia Commons
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