Samuthirakani
Samuthirakani at the audio launch of Sandamarutham in 2015
Born (1973-04-26) 26 April 1973 (age 50)
Seithur, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu, India
Alma materDr. Ambedkar Government Law College
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
Years active1998-present

P. Samuthirakani[1] (pronounced Samudrakhani, born 26 April 1973) is an Indian actor and director who works predominantly in Tamil films besides appearing in a number of 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.[2][3]

Early life

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

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

Filmography

Tamil films

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 25th film[citation needed]
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; Released on Sun TV
2021 Pulikkuthi Pandi Karumbalai Pandi Released on Sun TV
Sangathalaivan Sivalingam 50th film[citation needed]
Aelay Muthukkutty
Sudhakar (Imbuttu Kanji)		 Released on Star Vijay & Netflix
Vellai Yaanai Vellai Kunju Released on Sun TV
Devadas Brothers The writer
Thalaivi R. N. Veerappan
Vinodhaya Sitham Time Released on ZEE5
Udanpirappe Sargunam Vaathiyaar Released on Amazon Prime Video
MGR Magan Agnishwaran Released on Disney+ Hotstar
Chithirai Sevvaanam Muthu Pandi Released on ZEE5
Writer Thangaraju 75th film[citation needed]
2022 Kombu Vatcha Singamda Eelam fighter Cameo
Maaran Palani Released on Disney+ Hotstar
Don Ganesan
Yaanai Ramachandran
2023 Thunivu Commissioner Dayalan
Naan Kadavul Illai Senthooran
Thalaikoothal Pazhani
Vaathi Thirupathi
Are You Ok Baby? Balachandhran
2024 Siren DSP S. Nagalingam IPS [20]
Singappenney Special appearance
Yaavarum Vallavare Krishnan [21]
Indian 2 † TBA Filming[22]

Other language films

List of Samuthirakani film other language acting credits
Year Title Role Language Notes
2010 Shambo Shiva Shambo Car driver Telugu Cameo
2010 Shikkar Abdullah Malayalam
2012 Masters Protestor Cameo in the song "Suhruthu"
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 Macherla Niyojakavargam MLA Rajappa
Bheemla Nayak Jeevan Kumar
RRR Venkateswarulu
Sarkaru Vaari Paata MP Rajendranath
Dongalunnaru Jaagratha Chakravarthi
Godfather ACP Indrajeet IPS
Panchathantram Ramanathan
2023 Sir Tripathi
Dasara Shivanna [23][24]
Nenu Student Sir Arjun Vasudevan
Vimanam Veerayya partially reshot in Tamil[25]
Bro Shankaranna Cameo
2024 Hanu-Man Vibhishana
Game Changer † TBA Filming

Television

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)[26]
2000 Kadavulukku Kobam Vanthathu Smoking guy in theatre DD Podhigai TV series (Episode 1)[27]
2001 Marmadesam Edhuvum Nadakkum A tribal man Raj TV Part of Marmadesam
TV Series (Episode 1)[28]
Ramany vs Ramany Part II Sales person, Census taker, bride groom TV series (Episode 11, 31, 51)[29][30][31]
Guhan Rishi's assistant TV series[32]
also Co-director
Oru Kathavu Thirakirathu Veerappan (Manikkam/Santhapandian/Pazhaniappan) Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal[33]
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

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

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[34]
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[35][36][37][38][39][40]
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

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

References

  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. 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'". 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. ^ "'Netru Varai' song from Jayam Ravi's Siren out". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Yaavarum Vallavare Movie Review : A hyperlink film that isn't seamless but still satisfactory". The Times of India.
  22. ^ "Indian 2 update: Kamal Haasan, Shankar finally march past multiple obstacles". Cinema Express. 24 August 2022. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  23. ^ "Nani's Next Telugu Film With Director Srikanth Odela Titled 'Dasara'". www.outlookindia.com/. 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Dasara: Nani treats fans with a rustic new poster as he joins the sets for a lengthy schedule in Hyderabad". Pinkvilla. 1 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "- YouTube". www.youtube.com.[dead YouTube link]
  27. ^ Kadavulukku Kobam Vanthathu - Episode 1. Youtube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  28. ^ Edhuvum Nadakkum — Marma Desam — Episode 1. YouTube. 26 February 2013.[dead YouTube link]
  29. ^ Ramani vs Ramani 2 - Episode 11. Youtube. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  30. ^ Ramani vs Ramani 2 - Episode 31. Youtube. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  31. ^ Ramani vs Ramani 2 - Episode 51. Youtube. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  32. ^ Guhan Tamil TV Serial Episode - 8. YouTube. 29 March 2013.[dead YouTube link]
  33. ^ Oru Kadhavu Thirakirathu. YouTube. 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  34. ^ "'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.
  35. ^ "Paasa Paasangugal". YouTube. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Gunangalum Ranangalum". YouTube. 25 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Idho Boopalam". YouTube. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  38. ^ "Theadathey Tholainthu Povai". YouTube. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  39. ^ "Addi Ennadi Asattu Pennea". YouTube. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Kodi Rubai Kealvi". YouTube. 31 October 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2021.

External links

Samuthirakani filmography
National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu
Categories