Nithilan Saminathan

{{Infobox person

| image = Nithilan Saminathan.jpg

| occupation = {{Hlist|Film director|Screenwriter}}

| years_active = 2017–present

| notable_works = Kurangu Bommai (2017)
Maharaja (2024)

}}

Nithilan Saminathan is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in the Tamil film industry. He is known for his debut film, Kurangu Bommai{{Cite web |date=15 September 2017 |title=I would like to direct a love story with drama next: Kurangu Bommai's Nithilan Swaminathan |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/i-would-like-to-direct-a-love-story-with-drama-next-kurangu-bommais-nithilan-swaminathan-4844793/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614085632/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/i-would-like-to-direct-a-love-story-with-drama-next-kurangu-bommais-nithilan-swaminathan-4844793/ |archive-date=14 June 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} and Maharaja, one of the highest grossing Tamil films of 2024.

Early life

Nithilan was born as Santhamurthy Swaminathan. When he was in class 12, he read an article written by Vairamuthu, discussing the lyrics of the song "Andhimzhai Pozhigiradhu" which had the word "Nithilam" in it. When Kamal Haasan supposedly suggested an alternative, Vairamuthu insisted on keeping the word as Kannadasan had already used it. Nithilan was inspired by this and chose to set his name as "Nithilan Swaminathan" for his film career.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igJGuPXfESU& |title=Nithilan Saminathan interview with Sudhir Srinivasan | Maharaja | Vijay Sethupathi | Spoiler Alert |date=27 June 2024 |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Sudhir |publisher=Cinema Express |time=55:55 |via=YouTube}}

Nithilan initially aspired to join the military like his relatives, but his love for films and poetry gradually steered him towards filmmaking. He graduated with a degree in Visual Communication.

Career

Nithilan was looking for directorial opportunities when he heard about Naalaya Iyakunar Season 3 and made a short called Pudhir.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ5NzWOW9xs |title=Pudhir - Thriller Tamil Short Film - Redpix Short Films |language=ta |access-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618124244/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ5NzWOW9xs |archive-date=18 June 2024 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} He went on to make seven more short films. Punnagai Vaanginaal Kanneer Elavasam, his final round entry, made him the top prize of season 3.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDEHK1BG5AY |title=Naalaiya Iyakkunar 3 Grand Finale {{!}} Title Winner {{!}} Nithilan {{!}} Baggiyaraj |language=ta |access-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024035952/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDEHK1BG5AY&feature=youtu.be |archive-date=24 October 2022 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

Nithilan made his directorial debut with the film Kurangu Bommai in 2017.{{Cite web |date=12 June 2024 |title=Director Nithilan Saminathan Interview for Maharaja: I don't see filmmaking as pressure {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.ottplay.com/interview/director-nithilan-saminathan-interview-for-maharaja-i-dont-see-filmmaking-as-pressure-exclusive/ed27bc320b388 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615080714/https://www.ottplay.com/interview/director-nithilan-saminathan-interview-for-maharaja-i-dont-see-filmmaking-as-pressure-exclusive/ed27bc320b388 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}} It was appreciated for its storytelling and direction.{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=4 September 2017 |title=Kurangu Bommai Movie Review |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/kurangu-bommai-movie-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221200023/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/kurangu-bommai-movie-review |archive-date=21 December 2022 |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=Film Companion |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=2 September 2017 |title=Kurangu Bommai movie review: Flawlessly executed thriller |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/020917/kurangu-bommai-movie-review-flawlessly-executed-thriller.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826032211/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/020917/kurangu-bommai-movie-review-flawlessly-executed-thriller.html |archive-date=26 August 2023 |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}} After a seven-year hiatus, Nithilan's sophomore film, Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi, was released on 14 June 2024.

Filmmaking style

According to Nithilan, his filmmaking does not seek to impose commercial elements forcibly. He believes in creating films that reflect his taste while appealing to the audience. His works often revolve around inanimate objects, a unique aspect noted in both Kurangu Bommai and Maharaja.