Samuthirakani is an Indian actor and film director. He was born on 26 April 1973 in Seithur, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu, India. 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.

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, Kannada, and Malayalam.

He directed two Telugu films Shambo Shiva Shambo (2010) and Janda Pai Kapiraju (2015), at the 63rd National Film Awards.
Samuthirakani, who directed and starred in the original Appa (2016), has directed the Malayalam version of Aakashamittayee (2017) along with M. Padmakumar. He also played an important role in Rajinikanth’s film Kaala (2018).

Samuthirakani’s returned to directing with Naadodigal 2 (2020), a film that takes up the topic of equality. In 2020, he played an antagonist in the Trivikram directorial Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. In 2021, he played the main role in the Telugu film, Aakashavaani.

He also directed and acted in the fantasy comedy-drama Vinodhaya Sitham. In 2022, he played Sivakarthikeyan’s father in the movie Don. He was also seen playing Rajendranath, the antagonist and Keerthy Suresh’s father in the Parasuram directorial Sarkaru Vaari Paata.