G. Marimuthu

G. Marimuthu (12 July 1966 – 8 September 2023) was an Indian actor and film director who worked in the Tamil film and TV industries. He made his debut as a director with Kannum Kannum, followed by Pulivaal (2014). As an actor, he was best known for the TV series Ethirneechal. Known for his humour and improvisation, Marimuthu's Tamil film career spanned nearly three decades.

Career In 1988 or 1990, He was interested in entering the film industry after watching Bharathiraja's directorial Muthal Mariyathai which had its theatrical release in 1985. He was inspired to enter the film industry also due to the fact that the crew members of Muthal Mariyathai including director Bharathiraja, music composer Ilaiyaraaja and lyricist Vairamuthu also hailed from Theni district, Marimuthu's birthplace. Prior to his ambition of joining the film industry, he pursued his higher studies at an engineering college in Sivakasi.

After initially working as a waiter at hotels, he became acquainted with the lyricist Vairamuthu through their common interest in literature, before becoming an assistant director with Rajkiran for his films Aranmanai Kili (1993) and Ellame En Rasathan (1995).

In an interview with Sun TV, he revealed that he wanted to work as an assistant director with Bharathiraja, but insisted that since he was being an outsider he was often ignored and highlighted that those who enter into industry with nepotism and some sort of connection could get a chance to work as assistant director to Bharathiraja.

Marimuthu then continued to work as an assistant director with filmmakers such as Mani Ratnam, Vasanth, Seeman, Rajiv Menon and S. J. Surya, before co-directing Silambarasan's film Manmadhan (2004). He notably worked as an assistant director for Aasai (1995), Nerrukku Ner (1997), Vaalee (1999), Poovellam Kettuppar (1999), Kushi (2000), Rhythm (2000), Udhaya (2004), New (2004), and Anbe Aaruyire (2005).

Marimuthu made his directorial debut with Kannum Kannum (2008), a romantic film starring Prasanna and Udhayathara. The film did not perform well at the box office but won critical acclaim. The Behindwoods Movie Review Board wrote "G. Marimuthu, debuting with story, screenplay, dialogue and direction has provided us with one of the cleanest, most honest and endearing love stories of recent times". Moviebuzz noted "Marimuthu is a welcome addition to the brave new directors in Tamil cinema, who are trying their best within the commercial format to give a different type of love story". Marimuthu then directed Pulivaal (2014), developing the film's story from the Malayalam film Chaappa Kurishu (2011).

In the 2010s after the failure of his directorial films, he focused on acting and featured in supporting roles in Tamil films. Mysskin introduced him as an actor in Yuddham Sei (2011), in which he played a corrupt police officer. The success of the film prompted him to star in films including Aarohanam (2012), Nimirndhu Nil (2014), and Komban (2015), often featuring as police officer. His performance in Marudhu (2016) prompted Vishal to sign him on to feature in Kaththi Sandai (2016). He also rose to prominence for his acting in Mari Selvaraj's directorial Pariyerum Perumal (2018) which became a cult classic. He also played a minor role in Lokesh Kanagaraj's directorial Vikram (2022). He played negative role in Nelson Dilipkumar's directorial Jailer (2023), which eventually marked his last feature film prior to his untimely death. His last notable film was Kamal Hassan's Indian 2 where he played Siddharth's uncle.

He debuted in television serials in 2022 as the main antagonist in Ethirneechal. He was praised for his screen presence, dialogue delivery, punch dialogues and for his natural way of acting in the Ethirneechal serial as Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran.

Death Marimuthu died on 8 September 2023 due to cardiac arrest and pulmonary edema. The actor was dubbing for Ethirneechal when the heart attack occurred.

Filmography

Director + Year Title Notes 2008 Kannum Kannum 2014 Pulivaal

Actor + List of G. Marimuthu film acting credits Year Title Role Notes 1999 Vaalee Photo studio owner Uncredited 2004 Udhaya Man praising Udhaya Uncredited 2008 Kannum Kannum Kungumam editor Uncredited; also director 2010 Bale Pandiya Ekambaram Uncredited2011 Yuddham Sei Esakki Muthu Vandhaan Vendraan Arjun and Ramana's teacher 2012 Aarohanam Vallimuthu Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor2014 Nimirndhu Nil Traffic Inspector Jeeva Jeeva's father 2015 Komban Pattasu Trisha Illana Nayanthara Jeeva's father Kirumi Mathiarasu Uppu Karuvaadu Chinnavar 2016 Pugazh Dass Mapla Singam Elamaran Marudhu Bhagyam's father Thirunaal Police inspector Kuttrame Thandanai Police officer Pagiri Politician Kodi Politician Veera Sivaji Anjali's father 2017 Bairavaa Dr. PanduranganEnakku Vaaitha Adimaigal Police Inspector Yaman Manimaran Yaakkai Kavitha's father Nagarvalam Janani's father Rubaai Police officer Kootathil Oruthan Arvind's father Magalir Mattum Rani's father Ippadai Vellum Crime scene investigator 2018 Madura Veeran Pattaiyar Kadaikutty Singam Malligai Manala SendayarKattu Paya Sir Intha Kaali Manager Pariyerum Perumal Sri Ram Thuppakki Munai Police Inspector Sandakozhi 2 Village head Silukkuvarupatti Singam Ramalingam 2019 Sarvam Thaala Mayam Police Officer Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 Thalaivar Sathru S. Sankara Lingam Mehandi Circus Raajangham Mr. Local Mayilvaganam Puppy Prabhu's father Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu Basha Bhai 2020 Shylock Chithappa Malayalam filmNaan Sirithal Thangadurai God Father Police inspector Alti Thatrom Thookrom Dhandapani 2021 Bhoomi Gnanasambandam Pulikkuthi Pandi Dhananchezhiyan Kalathil Santhippom Kasi Sangathalaivan Govindarajan Sulthan VillagerSarbath Arivu and Anbu's father Laabam Paraman Rudra Thandavam Doctor Police officer IPC 376 Arumugam Enemy Eashwara Moorthy MGR Magan Police Officer Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum Atrangi Re Mandy's father Hindi film Plan Panni Pannanum Sengalvarayar 2022 Theal Raja's father Anbarivu Kayal's father Carbon Subburayan Marutha Veeramae Vaagai Soodum Porus and Dwarka's father Visithiran Ayngaran Minister Vikram Nagaraj Maayon Selvadurai Yenni Thuniga Kathir's father Radha Krishna Aruvaa Sanda 2023 Kodai Thangamani Kannai Nambathey Azhagar Theera Kaadhal Aaranya's father Jailer Panneer Red Sandalwood Ulagammai Marimuthu Nadar Posthumous film Atharva K. Gnanavel Telugu film; posthumous film 2024 Thookudurai Mahendra Varman Posthumous filmsUyir Thamizhukku Garudan Photo appearance only Indian 2 Chitra's uncle Veerayi Makkal Balu Aaryamala 2025 Leg Piece GunasekharanMr Zoo Keeper Diesel Lawyer Namachivayam 2026 Kaa – The Forest

Television

Music video + List of G. Marimuthu music video credits Year Title Role Ref. 2023 Parotta Varatta Principal

Accolades