Samuthirakani

• Name — P. Samuthirakani • Birth Name — P. Samuthirakani • Born — 26 April 1973 • Birthplace — Seithur, Tamil Nadu, India • Education — Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College • Occupation — * Actor • Film director • Years Active — 1998-present • Spouse — Jayalakshmi • Children — 2

Samuthirakani was born on 26 April 1973 in Seithur, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. 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 necessary talent to be an actor.

In 1997, he joined as an assistant director under Sundar K. Vijayan. 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. 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. He worked as an assistant director for K. Balachander in Parthale Paravasam (2001) and Poi (2006) and for Ameer in Paruthiveeran (2007). 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. He gained appreciation for his acting in Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014) as Dhanush's father and in Visaranai (2016) as a police inspector. He also played important role in Rajinikanth's film Kaala (2018). In 2020, he appeared in Telugu film, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. Samuthirakani's returned to directing with Naadodigal 2, a film that takes up the topic of equality. He played the main role in the Telugu film, Aakashavaani (2021). He also directed two fantasy comedy Vinodhaya Sitham (2021) and Bro (2023). He also played the role of Vibhishana in the Telugu superhero film Hanu-Man (2024).

List of Samuthirakani television credits as actor • Year — Serial — Role — Network — Notes • 1998 — Sila Nijangal Sila Nyayangal — Reporter — Sun TV • 2000 — Kadavulukku Kobam Vanthathu — Smoking guy in theatre — DD Podhigai — TV series (Episode 1) • 2001 — Marmadesam Edhuvum Nadakkum — A tribal man — Raj TV • Ramany vs Ramany Part II — Sales person, Census taker, bride groom — TV series (Episode 11, 31, 51) • Guhan — Rishi's assistant • Oru Kathavu Thirakirathu — Veerappan (Manikkam/Santhapandian/Pazhaniappan) • 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 • 2026 — Thadayam — SI Adhiyaman — ZEE 5 — Web-series

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

• Films List of Samuthirakani film credits as director • Year — Film — Language — Notes • 2003 — Unnai Charanadaindhen — Tamil — —Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer • 2004 — Neranja Manasu — Tamil • Naalo — Telugu — Remake of Unnai Charanadainthen • 2009 — Naadodigal — Tamil — —Vijay Award for Favourite Director • — • 2010 — Sambho Siva Sambho — Telugu — Remake of Naadodigal • 2011 — Poraali — Tamil — —Vijay Award for Best Dialogue Writer • 2012 — Yaare Koogadali — Kannada — Remake of Poraali • 2014 — Nimirndhu Nil — Tamil • 2015 — Janda Pai Kapiraju — Telugu — Delayed release Simultaneously shot alongside Nimirndhu Nil • 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 • 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 • 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 • Thanga Vettai — Sun TV — Game Show Hosted by Indian Actress Ramya Krishnan • Selvi • 2007 — Arasi • Thenmozhiyal — Kalaignar TV — Directed along with K. Balachander • 2010 — Alaipayuthey — Jaya TV — Directed along with Raja

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

• 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

List of Samuthirakani Tamil film acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2001 — Parthale Paravasam — Back pain patient — Uncredited role • 2004 — Neranja Manasu — Villager • 2006 — Poi — Kamban's friend • 2007 — Paruthiveeran — Ice Vendor • 2008 — Subramaniapuram — Kanagu — —Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil • 2010 — Easan — ACP Sangayya — —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 • Velaiyilla Pattathari — Raghuvaran's father — — • 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 — — • —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 — TV film • Sangathalaivan — Sivalingam • Aelay • 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 • Andhagan — Manohar • Nandhan — BDO Marudhudurai • Rajakili — Anandan • Thiru.Manickam — Manickam • 2025 — Maargan — DGP Muthuvel Rajan IPS • Veeravanakkam — P. Krishna Pillai • Padaiyaanda Maaveeraa — Jayaraman • Idli Kadai — Marichamy • Kaantha — TPK "Ayya" • 2026 — Carmeni Selvam — Selvam • Charukesi — Journalist

List of Samuthirakani Telugu film acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2010 — Shambo Shiva Shambo — Car driver — Cameo • 2020 — Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo — Appala Naidu — —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 • Bro — Shankaranna — Cameo • 2024 — Hanu-Man — Vibhishana • 2025 — Game Changer — Sabha • Oka Padhakam Prakaram — Raghuram • Ramam Raghavam — Dasaradh Ramam — Partially reshot in Tamil • Daksha: The Deadly Conspiracy — Chalapathi • Mass Jathara — Ajith Narayana • 2026 — The RajaSaab — Gangaraju • Bad Boy Karthik — Varadha Reddy • 2027 — Mahakali

List of Samuthirakani Malayalam film acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2010 — Shikkar — Abdullah • 2012 — Masters — Protester — 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 — SP Parthasarathy IPS • 2016 — Karinkunnam 6'S — Saravanan — Cameo • Oppam — Vasudevan — —Asianet film award for best actor in a negative role • —IIFA Utsavam for performance in a negative role Malayalam • 2024 — Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam — SP Vetrivel IPS