Nithilan Saminathan

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 and Maharaja, one of the highest grossing Tamil films of 2024.

Early life
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. So he turned it meta and made a short called Pudhir. 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.

Nithilan made his directorial debut with the film Kurangu Bommai in 2017. It was appreciated for its storytelling and direction. 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.