K.S. Ravikumar turns 67 as he celebrates 35 years as a film director.

After apprenticing under various directors like Bharathiraja, Vikraman and K. Rangaraj, K.S. Ravikumar worked as co-director to Vikraman in the film Pudhu Vassantham produced by RB Choudary (father of actor Jiiva). Choudary noticed Ravikumar’s speed and attention to detail and signed him on to direct his next venture.

Titled Puriyaadha Pudhir, this film marked K.S. Ravikumar’s debut as a director in a suspense thriller that starred Rahman, Rekha, Raghuvaran, Sithara and Anand Babu. It was Ravikumar’s only serious, non-masala film as director.

After his second film was shelved, Ravikumar worked on a series of rural-based entertainers, collaborating often with Sarathkumar.

In 1995 he adapted Priyadhashan’s Malayalam film, Thenmavin Kombath and signed on Rajinikanth for the lead role. Titled Muthu, this turned out to be one of the biggest hits of his career, and the first Tamil film to become a hit in Japan.

Ravikumar’s first collaboration with Kamalhassan was in Avvai Shanmugi, the first of many collaborations. This film saw him direct veteran actor Gemini Ganesan in a pivotal role,

He then directed the blockbuster film, Padayappa which had a magnificent run. Ravikumar had the golden opportunity to direct the legendary Sivaji Ganesan in this film.

He followed this with his first and only collaboration with Vijay – titled Minsaara Kanna. The film was made when Vijay was first contemplating entering politics and Ravikumar tried to use the film to launch this idea, but the idea backfired, as the film did not do well at the box-office.

In 2000, Ravikumar produced his first film – Thenali ­for which he was also responsible for the screenplay and directing the film. The film starred Kamalhaasan, Jyothika, Jayaram and Devayaani. Not only did it enjoy huge box-office success, it also brought in lots of praise for Ravikumar.

Ravikumar would repeat this feat two years later for his third collaboration with Kamalhaasan, the hit comedy Panjathanthiram.

Later that year, he directed Ajithkumar for the first time in the film Villain, which also went on to become a hit.

He then launched Jaggubhai with Rajinikanth and even released a poster, but the film was shelved after three months. He would later revive the idea with Sarathkumar in the lead role. This film also suffered numerous delays. After commencing in 2008, the film only released in 2010.

Ravikumar’s Varalaru featured Ahithkumar in three roles, but the film was delayed for almost two years. On release, the film become a commercial hit and won praise for the cast, crew and Ravikumar.

Ravikumar then produced the mega-budget blockbuster hit, Dasavatharam which saw Kamalhaasan in ten different roles.

Ravikumar has lukewarm success with Kamalhaasan’s Manmadhan Ambu, He wrote the story and screenplay for Rajinikanth’s animated film, Kochadaiyaan after the film Rana had to be scrapped because of concerns for Rajinikanth’s heath. He then directed Rajinikanth’s Lingaa which was also a moderate hit. It was his last Tamil film as director.

K.S. Ravikumar began his acting career in an uncredited role as Mohan’s friend in Aayiram Pookal Malarattum. He has since appeared in 57 films, often in cameos. He played the lead role in the film Google Kuttappa.

K.S. Ravikumar turned 67 on 30 May 2025.