In 1997, he joined as an assistant director under
Sundar K. Vijayan. He was then noticed by
K. Balachander and was recruited as assistant director for Balachander's 100th film
Paarthale Paravasam. He also assisted Balachander in the mega-serial
Anni telecasted by
Jaya TV. Samuthirakani recalled that the work experience he gained under Balachander helped him in many ways while shooting
Arasi and
Selvi, the mega-serial telecasted in
Sun TV, which were massive hits among housewives. 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. He worked as an assistant director for
K. Balachander in
Parthale Paravasam (2001) and
Poi (2006) and for
Ameer in
Paruthiveeran (2007). He gained appreciation for his acting in
Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014) as
Dhanush's father and in
Visaranai (2016) as a police inspector. He also played important role in
Rajinikanth's film
Kaala (2018). In 2020, he appeared in Telugu film,
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. Samuthirakani's returned to directing with
Naadodigal 2, a film that takes up the topic of equality. He played the main role in the Telugu film,
Aakashavaani (2021). He also directed two fantasy comedy
Vinodhaya Sitham (2021) and
Bro (2023). He also played the role of
Vibhishana in the Telugu superhero film
Hanu-Man (2024). ==Filmography==