Samudrakani

P. Samuthirakani (born 26 April 1973) is an Indian actor and film director who works predominantly in Tamil, Telugu and 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'', he is also an recipient of three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, a Filmfare Award and a SIIMA award

Early life

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

Career

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).

Filmography

Tamil films

Telugu films

Malayalam films

Television

Dubbing artist

As a director

;Films

;Television

Singer

Narrator

*''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

External links

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Opera king


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuthirakani, P.
Living people
Tamil film directors
1973 births
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners
Indian male voice actors
Male actors in Tamil cinema
Male actors in Malayalam cinema
Indian male film actors
Male actors from Tamil Nadu
People from Virudhunagar district
20th-century Indian male actors
21st-century Indian people
Film directors from Tamil Nadu
Kannada film directors
Malayalam film directors
Male actors in Telugu cinema
21st-century Indian male actors
Tamil male television actors