# P. Samuthirakani

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

Key :
| † | Denotes film or TV productions 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 |
| 2007 | Paruthiveeran | Ice Vendor | 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 | |
| 2012 | Neerparavai | Uduman Gani | |
| 2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 2014 | Nimirndhu Nil | Car driver | Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Third Prize) |
| 2014 | Velaiyilla Pattathari | Raghuvaran's father | Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil |
| 2014 | Poovarasam Peepee | Gani | Guest appearance |
| 2014 | Kaadu | Nandha | |
| 2015 | Sandamarutham | Inspector Thirumalai | |
| 2015 | Massu Engira Masilamani | Radha Krishnan (RK) | |
| 2015 | Buddhanin Sirippu | Vettri | |
| 2015 | Kaaval | Inspector Chandrasekar | |
| 2015 | Kamaraj | Corporation officer | |
| 2015 | Adhibar | Raja | |
| 2015 | Paayum Puli | Selvaraj (Selvam) | |
| 2015 | Strawberry | Aathi | |
| 2015 | Pasanga 2 | Father | Guest appearance |
| 2016 | Tharkappu | Iraianbu | |
| 2016 | Rajini Murugan | "Ezhrai" Mookan | |
| 2016 | Visaranai | Inspector Muthuvel | Won—National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil |
| 2016 | Visaranai | Inspector Muthuvel | Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role |
| 2016 | Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum | Kumar | |
| 2016 | Vetrivel | Vetrivel's friend | Cameo |
| 2016 | Amma Kanakku | Principal Ranganathan | |
| 2016 | Appa | Dhayalan | |
| 2016 | Achamindri | Inspector Sathya | |
| 2017 | Thondan | Maha Vishnu | |
| 2017 | Kootathil Oruthan | Sathyamurthy (Sathya) | |
| 2017 | Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 | Raghuvaran's father | |
| 2018 | Nimir | Vellaiyappan | Also dialogue writer |
| 2018 | Madura Veeran | Rathnavelu | |
| 2018 | Yemaali | Inspector Aravindh | |
| 2018 | Kaala | Vaaliyappan | |
| 2018 | Goli Soda 2 | Natesan | |
| 2018 | Maniyaar Kudumbam | S.Nallavan | Cameo |
| 2018 | 60 Vayadu Maaniram | Ranga | |
| 2018 | Aan Devathai | Elango | |
| 2018 | Vada Chennai | Gunaa | |
| 2019 | Peranbu | Dr. Dhanapal | Cameo |
| 2019 | Pettikadai | Physical trainer | |
| 2019 | Kolanji | Appasamy | |
| 2019 | Jackpot | Film Director | Special appearance |
| 2019 | Kaappaan | Joseph Selvaraj | |
| 2019 | Namma Veettu Pillai | Chandrabose | |
| 2019 | Adutha Saattai | Dayalan | Also producer |
| 2019 | Sillu Karupatti | Dhanapal | |
| 2020 | Naadodigal 2 | Bus driver | Special appearance; also voice-over |
| 2020 | Ettuthikkum Para | Ambedkar | |
| 2020 | Walter | Bala | |
| 2020 | Naanga Romba Busy | Himself | Cameo |
| 2021 | Pulikkuthi Pandi | Karumbalai Pandi | |
| 2021 | Sangathalaivan | Sivalingam | |
| 2021 | Aelay | Muthukkutty Sudhakar (Imbuttu Kanji) | |
| 2021 | Vellai Yaanai | Vellai Kunju | |
| 2021 | Devadas Brothers | The writer | |
| 2021 | Thalaivi | R. N. Veerappan | |
| 2021 | Vinodhaya Sitham | Time | |
| 2021 | Udanpirappe | Sargunam Vaathiyaar | |
| 2021 | MGR Magan | Agnishwaran | |
| 2021 | Chithirai Sevvaanam | Muthu Pandi | |
| 2021 | Writer | Thangaraju | |
| 2022 | Kombu Vatcha Singamda | Eelam fighter | |
| 2022 | Maaran | Palani | |
| 2022 | Don | Ganesan | |
| 2022 | Yaanai | Ramachandran | |
| 2023 | Thunivu | Commissioner Dayalan | |
| 2023 | Naan Kadavul Illai | Senthooran | |
| 2023 | Thalaikoothal | Pazhani | |
| 2023 | Vaathi | Thirupathi | |
| 2023 | Are You Ok Baby? | Balachandhran | |
| 2024 | Mudakkaruthaan | | |
| 2024 | Siren | DSP S. Nagalingam IPS | |
| 2024 | Singappenney | | Special appearance |
| 2024 | Yaavarum Vallavare | Krishnan | |
| 2024 | Rathnam | MLA Panneer Selvam | |
| 2024 | Garudan | Inspector E. Muthuvel | |
| 2024 | Hit List | Vijay's father | |
| 2024 | Indian 2 | Varadharajan | |
| 2024 | Andhagan | Manohar | |
| 2024 | Nandhan | BDO Marudhudurai | |
| 2024 | Rajakili | Anandan | |
| 2024 | Thiru.Manickam | Manickam | |
| 2025 | Vanangaan | DSP R. Kathiravan I.P.S | |
| TBA | Indian 3 | Varadharajan | |

### 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 | Protester | Malayalam | Cameo in the song "Suhruth Suhruth" |
| 2012 | Thiruvambadi Thamban | Ramu | Malayalam | |
| 2012 | The Hitlist | SP Anapazhakan | Malayalam | Cameo |
| 2013 | D Company | Chaukidar | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil | P. Krishna Pillai | Malayalam | |
| 2015 | The Reporter | Parthasarathy | Malayalam | |
| 2016 | Karinkunnam 6'S | Saravanan | Malayalam | Cameo |
| 2016 | Oppam | Vasudevan | Malayalam | Nominated—Asianet film award for best actor in a negative role |
| 2016 | Oppam | Vasudevan | Malayalam | 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 | Telugu | |
| 2021 | Aakashavaani | Chandram Master | Telugu | Released on SonyLIV |
| 2022 | Bheemla Nayak | Jeevan Kumar | Telugu | |
| 2022 | RRR | Venkateswarulu | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Sarkaru Vaari Paata | MP Rajendranath | Telugu | Nominated–SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu |
| 2022 | Macherla Niyojakavargam | MLA Rajappa | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Dongalunnaru Jaagratha | Chakravarthi | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Godfather | ACP Indrajeet IPS | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Panchathantram | Ramanathan | Telugu | |
| 2023 | Sir | Tripathi | Telugu | |
| 2023 | Dasara | Shivanna | Telugu | |
| 2023 | Nenu Student Sir | Arjun Vasudevan | Telugu | |
| 2023 | Vimanam | Veerayya | Telugu | Partially reshot in Tamil |
| 2023 | Bro | Shankaranna | Telugu | Cameo |
| 2024 | Hanu-Man | Vibhishana | Telugu | |
| 2024 | Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam | | Malayalam | |
| 2025 | Game Changer | Sabha | Telugu | |
| 2025 | Ramam Raghavam | Dasaradh Ramam | Telugu | |

### 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) |
| 2000 | Kadavulukku Kobam Vanthathu | Smoking guy in theatre | DD Podhigai | TV series (Episode 1) |
| 2001 | Marmadesam Edhuvum Nadakkum | A tribal man | Raj TV | Part of Marmadesam TV Series (Episode 1) |
| 2001 | Ramany vs Ramany Part II | Sales person, Census taker, bride groom | Raj TV | TV series (Episode 11, 31, 51) |
| 2001 | Guhan | Rishi's assistant | Raj TV | TV series also Co-director |
| 2001 | Oru Kathavu Thirakirathu | Veerappan (Manikkam/Santhapandian/Pazhaniappan) | Raj TV | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal 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 | TV Series (Special Appearance) |
| 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 a film 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 | |
| 2004 | Naalo | Telugu | Remake of Unnai Charanadainthen |
| 2009 | Naadodigal | Tamil | Won—Vijay Award for Favourite Director |
| 2009 | Naadodigal | Tamil | 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 | |
| 2017 | 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 | Raj TV | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal |
| 2001 | Idho Boopalam | Raj TV | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal |
| 2001 | Theadathey Tholainthu Povai | Raj TV | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal |
| 2001 | Addi Ennadi Asattu Pennea | Raj TV | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal |
| 2001 | Kodi Rubai Kealvi | Raj TV | Part of K. Balachanderin Chinnathirai: Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal |
| 2001 | Ramani vs Ramani (Part 2) | Raj TV | As Sales person in few episodes |
| 2001 | 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 | |
| 2005 | Thangavettai | Sun TV | Game Show |
| 2005 | Selvi | Sun TV | |
| 2007 | Arasi | Sun TV | |
| 2007 | 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

* 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