Ezhil

Ezhilmaaran S. is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry. He made his directorial debut with the 1999 romance film Thullatha Manamum Thullum. His success streak continued with Pennin Manathai Thottu, Poovellam Un Vasam (2001) and Deepavali (2007). He made a comeback in 2012 after a brief sabbatical with Manam Kothi Paravai which opened to moderate reviews from critics but was a commercial hit. He has won two Tamil Nadu state awards. Film Directors Suseenthiran and Karu Pazhaniappan were his assistants.

Career

1999-2007: Romance films and initial success Ezhil made his debut as a filmmaker with Thullatha Manamum Thullum at R. B. Choudary's production house. The film features Vijay and Simran in the lead roles. Prior to release, the role of Vijay's mother in the film was kept under wraps with the media speculating who would play the role. Eventually, no actress played the role, although the character played a pivotal part in the film. Vijay took a pay cut for the film, accepting only 3 million rupees instead of 5 million rupees, as he had signed the film before the release of his blockbuster Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997). Initially, Ezhil wanted comedian Vadivelu to play the lead role. Vadivelu, who was impressed with the story, told Ezhil that the storyline was too good and he did not know whether it will work with him in the lead. Vadivelu also asked Ezhil to wait for six months, and if the latter did not get anyone else as the hero, then Vadivelu will act in it. Vadivelu was then was replaced by Vijay. The film went on to become a blockbuster, running for 100 days across dozens of theatres in Tamil Nadu, while it also enjoyed similar success in the neighboring state of Kerala.

Vijay and Ezhil immediately decided to follow up this film with another collaboration, Pennin Manathai Thottu, with either Isha Koppikar or Roja to be hired as the lead actress. However, soon after pre-production, Vijay was replaced by Prabhu Deva and the film went on to release in 2000. The producers had initially approached Simran, Aishwarya Rai and then Preity Zinta to star, with their refusals leading to the casting of Jyothika. Miss World 2001, Yukta Mookhey was hired to appear in an item number. Ajith gained mass image before the filming so producer Ravichandran expressed his doubts to Ezhil about carrying on with such a family oriented film with an action hero like Ajith in hand. But Ezhil was confident about Ajith's capabilities in pulling off varying roles. The film opened to positive reviews with The Hindu critic labelling it as "reasonably interesting", with Ajith's performance being praised as "Ajith is natural and neat" with claims that "he has to work harder on his soliloquies and sad expressions". The success of the film prompted Ezhil, Ajith Kumar and Jyothika to team up for a venture the following year with Raja. It was initially expected that Yuvan Shankar Raja, whom Ezhil had worked with in Deepavali, would compose the music, but as the budget of this film could not afford to have Yuvan as the music composer, Ezhil opted for Imman. After the lead role in Marina and an important role in 3, Sivakarthikeyan is taking up a full-fledged lead role again for Manam Kothi Paravai. The film, which is set in a village, has been shot at Ezhil's native place Kayathur, near Mayiladuthurai (erstwhile Mayavaram) and Siva Karthikeyan's Thiruvizhimizhalai.

After a fairly successful outing with Manam Kothi Paravai, Ezhil started his next film titled Desingu Raja, which was in a similar genre rural comedy. He hired Vimal to play the lead Idhayakani, who has been named so by his parents and is a diehard MGR fan. Bindu Madhavi was signed to play the female lead as a Rajinikanth fanatic in the movie, thus pairing with Vimal for the second time after Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga. She said "I play a cheerful, naughty village girl". Muktha Bhanu danced for one song along with Vimal and the group dancers which was shot in Thiruvarur. In 2014, Ezhil directed Vellaikaara Durai, which received mixed reviews but was a hit at the box office. His 2016 film Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran was a commercial success. 2017 saw him directing Udhayanidhi Stalin in Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen. In 2022, Ezhil directed Yutha Satham starring R. Parthiban and Gautham Karthik in lead roles. Then, actor Vimal and director Ezhil have reunited for Desingu Raja 2, a sequel to the duo's 2013 hit comedy, Desingu Raja. The film was released in July 2025 to negative reviews.

Filmography As a film director Year Film Notes 1999 Thullatha Manamum Thullum Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Second Prize) 2000 Pennin Manathai Thottu 2001 Poovellam Un Vasam Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Family Film (Second Prize) 2002 Raja 2005 Amudhae 2007 Deepavali 2012 Manam Kothi ParavaiAlso producer 2013 Desingu Raja 2014 Vellaikaara Durai 2016 Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran Also producer 2017 Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen 2022 Yutha Satham 2025 Desingu Raja 2 2026 Aayiram Jenmangal

As actor Manikkam (1996) - flower seller Anjala (2016)

Frequent collaborators Collaborator D. Imman Soori Robo Shankar (special appearance) Swaminathan Ravi Mariya (special appearance) Vaiyapuri Madhan Bob Chaams Mahanadi Shankar Krishnamoorthy Bava Lakshmanan