S. P. Muthuraman

Initially he worked mainly with R. Muthuraman, Jaishankar, Sivaji Ganesan and went on to direct successful films with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Muthuraman debuted as an assistant director in the film Kalathur Kannamma (1960). He has received two South Filmfare Awards and a Best Director award from the Tamil Nadu State Government. Since 1977, his association with Rajinikanth proved to be extremely successful, as they went on work together in 25 films. Muthuraman was mainly responsible for moulding Rajini's career and turning him into a commercial star. He was also the associate producer of the Rajinikanth starrer Sivaji.

• Born — 7 April 1935 • Birthplace — Karaikudi, Pudukkottai State, British India, (now in Tamil Nadu, India) • Children — 3 • Parents — Rama Subbaiah Visalatchi • Relatives — Suba Veerapandian (younger brother) • Occupation — Film Director, Producer • Years Active — 1972–1995 (Movies) 1997 (TV Series)

Muthuraman was born on 7 April 1935 as the second of seven children in a family in Karaikudi. As per the norms in their region, Muthuraman's parents gave him another name - Rajaram Mohan - which became obsolete over time. His father Karaikudi Rama. Subbaiah was one of the forerunners of the Dravidian Movement and a member of the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Legislative Council during 1972-78. Muthuraman's youngest brother is the Dravidian ideologue Suba Veerapandian.

After working as office boy to assistant editor for Thendral magazine owned by Kannadasan, Muthuraman initially dreamt of becoming a screenwriter and expressed his interest to join story department in AVM Productions but Meiyappan insisted him to join editing department to learn the craft of filmmaking thus he started his film career through AVM Productions as an assistant editor, then an assistant director to the duo Krishnan–Panju, eventually working with A. Bhimsingh, D. Yoganand, Puttanna Kanagal, M. Krishnan Nair and A. C. Tirulokchandar.

He married Kamala in 1957. The couple have 3 children. His wife Kamala died on 15 October 1992 before the release of his 70th film, Pandiyan.

Muthuraman wrote a weekly column for The Hindu Tamil named Cinema Eduththu Paar; all articles were later published as a single book in paperback format.

• Illustration — Muthuraman with Suba Veerapandian (left) in 2016.

• Year — Film — Notes • 1972 — Kanimuthu Paappa • 1973 — Petha Manam Pithu • Kasi Yathirai • Deiva Kuzhandhaigal • 1974 — Engamma Sapatham • Anbu Thangai • 1975 — Yarukku Mappillai Yaro • Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu • Aan Pillai Singam • 1976 — Thunive Thunai • Kaalangalil Aval Vasantham • Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu — Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil • Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal • Mogam Muppadhu Varusham • 1977 — Sonthamadi Nee Enakku • Pennai Solli Kutramillai • Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri — Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil • Aadu Puli Attam • Aalukkoru Aasai • 1978 — Kaatrinile Varum Geetham • Vattathukkul Chaduram — 25th Film • Sakka Podu Podu Raja • Priya — Made simultaneously in Kannada as Priya • 1979 — Kavari Maan • Kadavul Amaitha Medai • Oru Koyil Iru Dheebangal • Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai — Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director • Vetrikku Oruvan • 1980 — Rishi Moolam • Murattu Kaalai • 1981 — Kazhugu • Netrikkan • Ranuva Veeran • Kudumbam Oru Kadambam • 1982 — Pokkiri Raja • Pudukavithai • Enkeyo Ketta Kural • Sakalakala Vallavan • 1983 — Paayum Puli • Oru Kai Pappom • Adutha Varisu • Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey • 1984 — Naan Mahaan Alla • Oorukku Upadesam • Nallavanukku Nallavan • Enakkul Oruvan • 1985 — Nalla Thambi • Ammavum Neeye Appavum Neeye • Uyarndha Ullam — 50th Film • Sri Raghavendrar • Japanil Kalyanaraman • 1986 — Mr. Bharath • Dharma Devathai • 1987 — Samsaram Oka Chadarangam — Telugu film • Velaikaran • Per Sollum Pillai • Manithan • 1988 — Guru Sishyan • Nallavan • Dharmathin Thalaivan • 1989 — Raja Chinna Roja • 1990 — Guru Sishyulu — Telugu film • Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga • 1990 — Athisaya Piravi • Thiyagu • 1991 — Thaiyalkaran • Jeevana Chadarangam — Telugu film • 1992 — Kaaval Geetham • 1992 — Pandian — 70th Movie • 1995 — Thottil Kuzhandhai — Last film

• 1997 — Nimmadhi Ungal Choice