G. Marimuthu was a prominent figure in the Tamil film industry, recognized both as a director and an actor. His career, which stretched nearly three decades, was a testament to his talent, dedication, and passion for the cinematic arts.
Early Life and Inspirations:
Born on 12 July 1967, Marimuthu hailed from the village of Pasumalaitheri in Theni. His family’s primary occupation was agriculture. However, the allure of the silver screen beckoned Marimuthu after he watched Bharathiraja’s directorial venture, Muthal Mariyathai in 1985. This film was particularly influential because key crew members, such as Bharathiraja, composer Ilaiyaraaja, and lyricist Vairamuthu, all originated from Theni, just like Marimuthu. Prior to his dreams of cinema, he studied at an engineering college in Sivakasi.
Journey to Chennai:
In the late ’80s, either 1988 or 1990, Marimuthu left his home to chase his dreams in Chennai. His initial days were challenging, working as a waiter in hotels. His break came when he connected with Vairamuthu over their shared passion for literature. Later, he began working as an assistant director, notably with Rajkiran for films like Aranmanai Kili (1993) and Ellame En Rasathan (1995). Marimuthu shared in an interview with Sun TV that he aspired to work with Bharathiraja, but felt overlooked as an outsider.
Directorial Career:
After assisting renowned filmmakers such as Mani Ratnam, Vasanth, Seeman, Rajiv Menon, and S. J. Surya, Marimuthu co-directed Silambarasan’s film, Manmadhan (2004). His full directorial debut was Kannum Kannum (2008), a romantic film that, although not a box office hit, garnered critical acclaim. He also directed Pulivaal (2014), inspired by the Malayalam film Chaappa Kurishu (2011).
Acting Career:
The 2010s marked Marimuthu’s pivot towards acting. His introduction as an actor came with Yuddham Sei (2011), and subsequent successes included Aarohanam (2012), Nimirndhu Nil (2014), and Komban (2015). He gained significant attention for his role in Pariyerum Perumal (2018), which became a cult classic. Marimuthu also starred in Vikram (2022) alongside Kamal Haasan and played a negative role in Jailer (2023), featuring Rajinikanth.
Television Career:
In 2022, Marimuthu expanded to television with the serial Ethirneechal, where he played the antagonist, Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran. His performance was widely acclaimed, particularly for its nuanced portrayal of male toxicity in a medium often dominated by women-centric narratives.
Untimely Passing:
Tragically, Marimuthu passed away due to cardiac arrest on 8 September 2023 while dubbing for the show Ethir Neechal.
Filmography:
Marimuthu’s rich career spanned multiple roles and genres. As a director, he started as an assistant in films like Aasai (1995) and Vaali (1999) and later directed films such as Kannum Kannum (2008) and Pulivaal (2014).
As an actor, his filmography is extensive. From Vaali (1999) to Indian 2 (2023), he showcased his versatility across a range of roles and films.
Television Works:
Besides Ethir Neechal, Marimuthu also appeared in a host of TV programs like Vanakkam Tamizha, Porantha Veeda Puguntha Veeda, and Tamizha Tamizha, to name a few.
G. Marimuthu’s legacy remains a testament to his talent, dedication, and love for the arts. He was a gem of the Tamil film industry, and his work continues to inspire new generations of film enthusiasts and professionals.
