Devan started his career as an assistant director on
Cheran's 2000 film
Vetri Kodi Kattu. His first independent direction opportunity came from
S Pictures with the 2006 film
Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei. When the plot was pitched to director
Shankar, the latter was interested and agreed to collaborate with Devan. The film featured comedian
Vadivelu in the lead role for the first time. The film went on to become a success. Devan's second film was the 2008 fantasy comedy
Arai En 305-il Kadavul, which starred comedians
Santhanam and
Ganja Karuppu as the leads. His third movie, 2010's
western parody comedy
Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam, starred
Raghava Lawrence and
Padmapriya. Both films released to mixed reviews. In 2014, Devan wrote and directed
Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum, starring
Arulnithi, which was an average success. A year later, he directed the fantasy film
Puli, starring
Vijay,
Sudeep,
Sridevi (who made a comeback to Tamil cinema),
Shruti Haasan, and
Hansika Motwani The film released to mixed reviews, but collected 150 crore in its full run. In 2021, Devan directed the anthology film
Kasada Thapara, co-produced by
Venkat Prabhu. The story is split into six portions with each portion boasting of different technicians, and a collection of short stories connected by a hyperlinked narrative. In 2022, Devan directed
Kottai Pakku Vathalum Mottai Maadi Sitharum, an episode of the anthology series
Victim. In 2024, Devan directed the survival drama
Boat, starring
Yogi Babu. ==Filmography==