Samuthirakani

Indian actor and film director (born 1973)

Samuthirakani

Samuthirakani at the audio launch of Sandamarutham in 2015

Born|  (1973-04-26) 26 April 1973 (age 51)

Seithur, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu, India

Alma mater| Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College
Occupations|

* Actor
* Film director

Years active| 1998-present

Samuthirakani[1] (born 26 April 1973) is an Indian actor and film director who works predominantly in Tamil and Telugu films besides few Malayalam films. He worked as an assistant to director K. Balachander, in Paarthale Paravasam. He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2016 for Visaranai,[2][3] he is also an recipient of three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, a Filmfare Award and a SIIMA award

## Early life

[edit]

Samuthirakani was born on 26 April 1973 in Seithur, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu.[1][4], He did his B.Sc. in Mathematics from the Rajapalayam Rajus College and he also earned a Bachelor of Law from Ambedkar Law College. However, he aimed to become an actor. He has said that people used to tell him that he did not have the physical appearance or talent necessary to be an actor.[5]

## Career

[edit]

In 1997, he joined as an assistant director under Sundar K. Vijayan.[6] He was then noticed by K. Balachander and was recruited as assistant director for Balachander's 100th film Paarthale Paravasam. He also assisted Balachander in the mega-serial Anni telecasted by Jaya TV. Samuthirakani recalled that the work experience he gained under Balachander helped him in many ways while shooting Arasi and Selvi, the mega-serial telecasted in Sun TV, which were massive hits among housewives.[7]

In the early 2000s, Samuthirakani began his career as a director. He notably launched a shelved film titled Uyir Nanbanukku starring Cheran, before making Unnai Charanadaindhen (2003) for S. P. B. Charan.[8][9]

However, it was the success of Naadodigal (2009) that established Samuthirakani as a director. Since then he has directed films such as Poraali (2011), Nimirndhu Nil (2014) and Appa (2016). All these films have been remade in Telugu and Kannada.[10][11] He gained appreciation for his acting in Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014) as Dhanush's father and in Visaranai (2016) as a police inspector.[12][13] He worked as an assistant director for K. Balachander in Parthale Paravasam (2001) and Poi (2006) and for Ameer in Paruthiveeran (2007).[14][7]

He also played important role in Rajinikanth's film Kaala (2018).[15]

In 2020, he appeared in Telugu film, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.[16] Samuthirakani's returned to directing with Naadodigal 2, a film that takes up the topic of equality.[17] He played the main role in the Telugu film, Aakashavaani (2021).[18] He also directed two fantasy comedy Vinodhaya Sitham (2021) [19] and Bro (2023).[20]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Tamil films

[edit]

Key  †  | Denotes films that have not yet been released

|

List of Samuthirakani film Tamil acting credits  Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

2001 | Parthale Paravasam | Back-pain patient | Uncredited role
2004 | Neranja Manasu | Villager | Uncredited role
2006 | Poi | Kamban's friend | Uncredited role
2008 | Subramaniapuram | Kanagu | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil
2010 | Easan | ACP Sangayya | Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male)
2012 | Saattai | Dayalan |
Neerparavai | Uduman Gani |
2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | Himself | Guest appearance
Nimirndhu Nil | Car driver | Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Third Prize)
Velaiyilla Pattathari | Raghuvaran's father | Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil
Poovarasam Peepee | Gani | Guest appearance
Kaadu | Nandha |
2015 | Sandamarutham | Inspector Thirumalai |
Massu Engira Masilamani | Radha Krishnan (RK) |
Buddhanin Sirippu | Vettri |
Kaaval | Inspector Chandrasekar |
Kamaraj | Corporation officer |
Adhibar | Raja |
Paayum Puli | Selvaraj (Selvam) |
Strawberry | Aathi |
Pasanga 2 | Father | Guest appearance
2016 | Tharkappu | Iraianbu |
Rajini Murugan | "Ezhrai" Mookan |
Visaranai | Inspector Muthuvel | Won—National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil
Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum | Kumar |
Vetrivel | Vetrivel's friend | Cameo
Amma Kanakku | Principal Ranganathan |
Appa | Dhayalan |
Achamindri | Inspector Sathya |
2017 | Thondan | Maha Vishnu |
Kootathil Oruthan | Sathyamurthy (Sathya) |
Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 | Raghuvaran's father |
2018 | Nimir | Vellaiyappan | Also dialogue writer
Madura Veeran | Rathnavelu |
Yemaali | Inspector Aravindh |
Kaala | Vaaliyappan |
Goli Soda 2 | Natesan |
Maniyaar Kudumbam | S.Nallavan | Cameo
60 Vayadu Maaniram | Ranga |
Aan Devathai | Elango |
Vada Chennai | Gunaa |
2019 | Peranbu | Dr. Dhanapal | Cameo
Pettikadai | Physical trainer |
Kolanji | Appasamy |
Jackpot | Film Director | Special appearance
Kaappaan | Joseph Selvaraj |
Namma Veettu Pillai | Chandrabose |
Adutha Saattai | Dayalan | Also producer
Sillu Karupatti | Dhanapal |
2020 | Naadodigal 2 | Bus driver | Special appearance; also voice-over
Ettuthikkum Para | Ambedkar |
Walter | Bala |
Naanga Romba Busy | Himself | Cameo
2021 | Pulikkuthi Pandi | Karumbalai Pandi |
Sangathalaivan | Sivalingam |
Aelay | Muthukkutty
Sudhakar (Imbuttu Kanji) |
Vellai Yaanai | Vellai Kunju |
Devadas Brothers | The writer |
Thalaivi | R. N. Veerappan |
Vinodhaya Sitham | Time |
Udanpirappe | Sargunam Vaathiyaar |
MGR Magan | Agnishwaran |
Chithirai Sevvaanam | Muthu Pandi |
Writer | Thangaraju |
2022 | Kombu Vatcha Singamda | Eelam fighter |
Maaran | Palani |
Don | Ganesan |
Yaanai | Ramachandran |
2023 | Thunivu | Commissioner Dayalan |
Naan Kadavul Illai | Senthooran |
Thalaikoothal | Pazhani |
Vaathi | Thirupathi |
Are You Ok Baby? | Balachandhran |
2024 | Mudakkaruthaan |  |
Siren | DSP S. Nagalingam IPS |
Singappenney |  | Special appearance
Yaavarum Vallavare | Krishnan |
Rathnam | MLA Panneer Selvam |
Garudan | Inspector E. Muthuvel |
Hit List | Vijay's father |
Indian 2 | Varadharajan |
Mazhai Pidikkatha Manithan | Velraj |

### Other language films

[edit]

List of Samuthirakani film other language acting credits  Year  | Title  | Role  | Language  | Notes

|
|
|
|

2010 | Shambo Shiva Shambo | Car driver | Telugu | Cameo
Shikkar | Abdullah | Malayalam |
2012 | Masters | Protestor | Cameo in the song "Suhruth Suhruth"
Thiruvambadi Thamban | Ramu |
The Hitlist | SP Anapazhakan | Cameo
2013 | D Company | Chaukidar |
2014 | Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil | P. Krishna Pillai |
2015 | The Reporter | Parthasarathy |
2016 | Karinkunnam 6'S | Saravanan | Cameo
Oppam | Vasudevan | Nominated—Asianet film award for best actor in a negative role
Won—IIFA Utsavam for performance in a negative role Malayalam
2020 | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo | Appala Naidu | Telugu | Won—SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu
2021 | Krack | Katari Krishna |
Aakashavaani | Chandram Master | Released on SonyLIV
2022 | Bheemla Nayak | Jeevan Kumar |
RRR | Venkateswarulu |
Sarkaru Vaari Paata | MP Rajendranath | Nominated–SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu
Macherla Niyojakavargam | MLA Rajappa |
Dongalunnaru Jaagratha | Chakravarthi |
Godfather | ACP Indrajeet IPS |
Panchathantram | Ramanathan |
2023 | Sir | Tripathi |
Dasara | Shivanna |
Nenu Student Sir | Arjun Vasudevan |
Vimanam | Veerayya | Partially reshot in Tamil[21]
Bro | Shankaranna | Cameo
2024 | Hanu-Man | Vibhishana |
Game Changer † | TBA | Filming
TBA | Ramam Raghavam † |  | Filming[22]

### Television

[edit]

List of Samuthirakani television credits as actor  Year  | Serial  | Role  | Network  | Notes

|
|
|
|

1998 | Sila Nijangal Sila Nyayangal | Reporter | Sun TV
Raj TV | Part of Jannal
TV series (episode 7)[23]
2000 | Kadavulukku Kobam Vanthathu | Smoking guy in theatre | DD Podhigai | TV series (Episode 1)[24]
2001 | Marmadesam Edhuvum Nadakkum | A tribal man | Raj TV | Part of Marmadesam
TV Series (Episode 1)[25]
Ramany vs Ramany Part II | Sales person, Census taker, bride groom | TV series (Episode 11, 31, 51)[26][27][28]
Guhan | Rishi's assistant | TV series[29]
also Co-director
Oru Kathavu Thirakirathu | Veerappan (Manikkam/Santhapandian/Pazhaniappan) | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal[30]
TV series
2007 | Arasi | Undercover police officer (Chinna Thambi) | Sun TV | TV Series
2012 | 7C |  | Star Vijay | TV Series (Special Appearance)
2020 | Chithi 2 | Himself | Sun TV
2021 | Live Telecast | Deva | Disney+ Hotstar | Web-series

### Dubbing artist

[edit]

List of Samuthirakani film credits as dubbing artist  Year  | Film  | For actor

|
|

2009  | Pasanga | Sivakumar
2011 | Aadukalam | Kishore
2012 | Dhoni | Murli Sharma
2014 | Goli Soda | Madhusudhan Rao
2016 | Kathakali | Madhusudhan Rao

### As director

[edit]

Films
List of Samuthirakani film credits as director  Year  | Film  | Language  | Notes

|
|
|

2003 | Unnai Charanadaindhen | Tamil | Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer
2004 | Neranja Manasu | Tamil |
Naalo | Telugu | Remake of Unnai Charanadainthen
2009 | Naadodigal | Tamil | Won—Vijay Award for Favourite Director
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil
Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Director
Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Story, Screenplay Writer
2010 | Sambho Siva Sambho | Telugu | Remake of Naadodigal
2011 | Poraali | Tamil | Won—Vijay Award for Best Dialogue Writer
2012 | Yaare Koogadali | Kannada | Remake of Poraali
2014 | Nimirndhu Nil | Tamil |
2015 | Janda Pai Kapiraju | Telugu |
2016 | Appa | Tamil |
2017 | Thondan | Tamil |
Aakashamittayee | Malayalam | Remake of Appa,
Co-directed with M. Padmakumar
2020 | Naadodigal 2 | Tamil |
2021 | Vinodhaya Sitham | Tamil |
2023 | Bro | Telugu | Remake of Vinodhaya Sitham[31]

Television
List of Samuthirakani television credits as director  Year  | Title  | Channel  | Notes

|
|
|

2001 | Paasa Paasangugal | Raj TV | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal[32][33][34][35][36][37]
2001 | Gunangalum Ranangalum
Idho Boopalam
Theadathey Tholainthu Povai
Addi Ennadi Asattu Pennea
Kodi Rubai Kealvi
Ramani vs Ramani (Part 2)  | Raj TV | As Sales person in few episodes
Anni | Jaya TV | Directed along with K. Balachander
2004 | Engirundho Vandhal | Jaya TV | Directed along with K. Balachander and Ilakkiyan
2005 | Idhu Oru Kadhal Kadhai | STAR Vijay |
Thangavettai | Sun TV | Game Show
Selvi |
2007 | Arasi |
Thenmozhiyal | Kalaignar TV | Directed along with K. Balachander
2010 | Alaipayuthey | Jaya TV | Directed along with Raja

### Singer

[edit]

List of Samuthirakani film credits as singer  Year  | Film  | Song  | Composer  | Notes

|
|
|
|

2010 | Vamsam | "Suvadu Suvadu" | Taj Noor | Sang along with M Sasikumar and Pandiraj
2011 | Poraali | "Vidiya Potri" | Sundar C Babu |

### Narrator

[edit]

* Eye of the Leopard (2006) - Tamil version - National Geographic
* Sundarapandian (2012)
* Roar of the Royals (2020) - Tamil version - National Geographic
* Serndhu Polama (2015)
* Anandham Vilayadum Veedu (2021)
* The Way Of The Cheetah (2021) Tamil version - National Geographic

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "SAMUTHIRAKANI P." Tamilnadu Film Director's Association. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
2. ^ Rao, Subha J. (16 October 2018). "Cinema must be useful to society, says Samuthirakani". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
3. ^ M, Ramakrishnan (8 April 2017). "Samuthirakani: The angry director". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
4. ^ Anantharam, Chitra Deepa (21 November 2017). "Hunger makes you stronger: Samuthirakani". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
5. ^ "Rebel with a pause". The Hindu. 26 November 2011. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
6. ^ "முறுக்கு விற்றேன்!". Kalki (in Tamil). 12 October 2003. p. 60. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
7. ^ a b "Success didn't come easy to me: Samuthirakani". The New Indian Express. 7 April 2018. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
8. ^ "09-08-03". 15 November 2004. Archived from the original on 15 November 2004.
9. ^ "08-07-03". 15 April 2005. Archived from the original on 15 April 2005.
10. ^ "Happy Birthday Samuthirakani - Tamil News". IndiaGlitz.com. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
11. ^ "Kalidas Jayaram requests people not to let down 'simple' movies like Aakashamittayee". 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
12. ^ Manoj Kumar R (11 August 2020). "South Stream: Dhanush's Velaiyilla Pattathari". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
13. ^ "Tamil film 'Visaranai' is India's official entry for Oscars 2017". The Economic Times. 22 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
14. ^ Srinivasan, Latha (2 April 2016). "I couldn't sleep when I was shooting 'Visaranai', says National Award-winner Samuthirakani". DNA. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
15. ^ "Samuthirakani talks about his experiences with Rajinikanth on Kaala sets". 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
16. ^ "Samuthirakani interview: 'I aspire to be as pure as my characters'". 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
17. ^ "Naadodigal 2 review: Skip it". Sify. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
18. ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (23 September 2021). "'Aakashavaani' movie review: Definitely an original gem". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
19. ^ "Vinodhaya Sitham -A feel-good fantasy drama". Sify. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
20. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/bro/movie-review/102193766.cms [bare URL]
21. ^ Today, Telangana (19 May 2023). "Vimanam Teaser | Samuthirakani | Anasuya Bharadwaj | Meera Jasmine". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
22. ^ "Video : Ramam Raghavam Teaser (Samuthirakhani, Dhanraj)". 123 Telugu.
23. ^ "- YouTube". www.youtube.com.[dead YouTube link]
24. ^ Kadavulukku Kobam Vanthathu - Episode 1. Youtube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
25. ^ Edhuvum Nadakkum — Marma Desam — Episode 1. YouTube. 26 February 2013.[dead YouTube link]
26. ^ Ramani vs Ramani 2 - Episode 11. Youtube. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
27. ^ Ramani vs Ramani 2 - Episode 31. Youtube. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
28. ^ Ramani vs Ramani 2 - Episode 51. Youtube. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
29. ^ Guhan Tamil TV Serial Episode - 8. YouTube. 29 March 2013.[dead YouTube link]
30. ^ Oru Kadhavu Thirakirathu. YouTube. 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
31. ^ "'PKSDT' set to hit theatres: Pawan Kalyan and Sai Dharam Tej fans rejoice". The Times of India. 24 March 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
32. ^ "Paasa Paasangugal". YouTube. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
33. ^ "Gunangalum Ranangalum". YouTube. 25 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
34. ^ "Idho Boopalam". YouTube. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
35. ^ "Theadathey Tholainthu Povai". YouTube. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
36. ^ "Addi Ennadi Asattu Pennea". YouTube. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
37. ^ "Kodi Rubai Kealvi". YouTube. 31 October 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Samuthirakani at Wikimedia Commons
* Opera king
* His still dreams to make it
* Instagram

* v
* t
* e

Samuthirakani filmography

* Unnai Charanadaindhen (2003)
* Neranja Manasu (2004)
* Naalo (2004)
* Naadodigal (2009)
* Sambho Siva Sambho (2010)
* Poraali (2011)
* Yaare Koogadali (2012)
* Nimirndhu Nil (2014)
* Janda Pai Kapiraju (2015)
* Appa (2016)
* Thondan (2017)
* Aakashamittayee (2017)
* Naadodigal 2 (2020)
* Vinodhaya Sitham (2021)
* Bro (2023)

* v
* t
* e

National Film Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role

1984–2000|

* Victor Banerjee (1984)
* Dipankar De (1985)
* Suresh Oberoi (1986)
* Thilakan (1987)
* Pankaj Kapur (1988)
* Nana Patekar (1989)
* Nedumudi Venu (1990)
* P. L. Narayana (1991)
* Sunny Deol (1992)
* Paresh Rawal (1993)
* Ashish Vidyarthi and Nagesh (1994)
* Mithun Chakraborty (1995)
* Nana Patekar (1996)
* Prakash Raj (1997)
* Manoj Bajpayee (1998)
* Atul Kulkarni (1999)
* H. G. Dattatreya (2000)

2001–present|

* Atul Kulkarni (2001)
* Chandrasekhar (2002)
* Pankaj Kapur (2003)
* Haradhan Bandopadhyay (2004)
* Naseeruddin Shah (2005)
* Dilip Prabhavalkar (2006)
* Darshan Jariwala (2007)
* Arjun Rampal (2008)
* Farooque Shaikh (2009)
* Thambi Ramaiah (2010)
* Appukutty (2011)
* Annu Kapoor (2012)
* Saurabh Shukla (2013)
* Bobby Simha (2014)
* Samuthirakani (2015)
* Manoj Joshi (2016)
* Fahadh Faasil (2017)
* Swanand Kirkire (2018)
* Vijay Sethupathi (2019)
* Biju Menon (2020)
* Pankaj Tripathi (2021)

* v
* t
* e

SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu

2011–2020|

* Lakshmi Manchu (2011)
* Sudeepa (2012)
* Sampath Raj (2013)
* Jagapathi Babu (2014)
* Rana Daggubati (2015)
* Jagapathi Babu (2016)
* Rana Daggubati (2017)
* R. Sarathkumar (2018)
* Kartikeya Gummakonda (2019)
* Samuthirakani (2020)

2021–present|

* Srikanth (2021)
* Suhas (2022)

*[†]: Film has not yet been released
*[TBA]: To be announced
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template