S. P. Muthuraman

Subbiah Palaniappan Muthuraman, also referred to as SPM, is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry. He has directed 72 films in Tamil. He was one of the most successful commercial directors in Tamil cinema. Initially he worked mainly with R. Muthuraman, Jaishankar, Sivaji Ganesan and went on to direct successful films with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.

S. P. Muthuraman debuted as an assistant director in the film Kalathur Kannamma (1960). He has received two South Filmfare Awards and a Best Director award from the Tamil Nadu State Government.

Since 1977, his association with Rajinikanth proved to be extremely successful, as they went on work together in 25 films. Muthuraman was mainly responsible for moulding Rajini's career and turning him into a commercial star. He was also the associate producer of the Rajinikanth starrer Sivaji.

Early life and family

Muthuraman was born on 7 April 1935 as the second of seven children in a family in Karaikudi. As per the norms in their region, Muthuraman's parents gave him another name - Rajaram Mohan - which became obsolete over time. His father Karaikudi Rama. Subbaiah was one of the forerunners of the Dravidian Movement and a member of the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Legislative Council during 1972-78. Muthuraman's youngest brother is the Dravidian ideologue Suba Veerapandian.

Career After working as office boy to assistant editor for Thendral magazine owned by Kannadasan, Muthuraman initially dreamt of becoming a screenwriter and expressed his interest to join story department in AVM Productions but Meiyappan insisted him to join editing department to learn the craft of filmmaking thus he started his film career through AVM Productions as an assistant editor, then an assistant director to the duo Krishnan–Panju, eventually working with A. Bhimsingh, D. Yoganand, Puttanna Kanagal, M. Krishnan Nair and A. C. Tirulokchandar.

Personal life He married Kamala in 1957. The couple have 3 children. His wife Kamala died on 15 October 1992 before the release of his 70th film, Pandiyan.

Other works Muthuraman wrote a weekly column for The Hindu Tamil named Cinema Eduththu Paar; all articles were later published as a single book in paperback format.

Awards

Filmfare Awards South 1977 – Best Director – Tamil for Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu 1978 – Best Director – Tamil for Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 1979 – Best Director for Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai 2012 – Lifetime Achievement Award – South 2018 - Lifetime Achievement Award - South

Filmography

As director Year Film Notes 1972 Kanimuthu Paappa 1973 Petha Manam Pithu Kasi Yathirai Deiva Kuzhandhaigal 1974 Engamma Sapatham Anbu Thangai 1975 Yarukku Mappillai Yaro Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu Aan Pillai Singam 1976 Thunive Thunai Kaalangalil Aval Vasantham Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal Mogam Muppadhu Varusham 1977 Sonthamadi Nee Enakku Pennai Solli Kutramillai Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Aadu Puli Attam Aalukkoru Aasai 1978 Kaatrinile Varum Geetham Vattathukkul Chaduram 25th Film Sakka Podu Podu Raja Priya Made simultaneously in Kannada as Priya 1979 Kavari Maan Kadavul Amaitha Medai Oru Koyil Iru Dheebangal Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director Vetrikku Oruvan 1980 Rishi Moolam Murattu Kaalai 1981 Kazhugu Netrikkan Ranuva Veeran Kudumbam Oru Kadambam 1982 Pokkiri Raja Pudukavithai Enkeyo Ketta Kural Sakalakala Vallavan 1983 Paayum Puli Oru Kai Pappom Adutha Varisu Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey 1984 Naan Mahaan Alla Oorukku Upadesam Nallavanukku Nallavan Enakkul Oruvan 1985 Nalla Thambi Ammavum Neeye Appavum Neeye Uyarndha Ullam 50th Film Sri Raghavendrar Japanil Kalyanaraman 1986 Mr. Bharath Dharma Devathai 1987 Samsaram Oka Chadarangam Telugu film Velaikaran Per Sollum Pillai Manithan 1988 Guru Sishyan Nallavan Dharmathin Thalaivan 1989 Raja Chinna Roja 1990Guru Sishyulu Telugu film Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga 1990 Athisaya Piravi Thiyagu 1991 Thaiyalkaran Jeevana Chadarangam Telugu film 1992 Kaaval Geetham 1992 Pandian 70th Movie 1995 Thottil Kuzhandhai Last film

TV series 1997 Nimmadhi Ungal Choice