Selvaraghavan, a renowned Indian film director, screenwriter, and actor, has made a profound impact on modern Tamil cinema through his unconventional and thought-provoking genre films. As the elder brother of actor Dhanush, he has played a significant role in shaping the latter's career, collaborating on numerous projects, including Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002) and Kadhal Konden (2003),which helped Dhanush break into the industry in the early 2000s.
Selvaraghavan's early works primarily explored themes of romance, sexuality, religion, and youth culture, showcasing his unique perspective on the complexities of human experience. However, he later ventured into uncharted territory with Pudhupettai (2006),a groundbreaking gangster epic that marked a stylistic departure from his earlier work. This was followed by experimental forays into historical fiction and fantasy with Aayirathil Oruvan (2010) and Irandam Ulagam (2013),as well as forays into the horror genre with Nenjam Marappathillai (2021).
Characterized by his "audacious" and "operatic" filmmaking style, Selvaraghavan's work is marked by a meticulous attention to detail, a willingness to explore moral ambiguity, and a recurring use of dark humor. His films often subvert conventional character tropes, offering a fresh and unflinching perspective on the human condition.
