# Kathir (கதிர்)
**Kathir** (கதிர்) is the name shared by several figures in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema), most prominently an Indian actor known for *Pariyerum Perumal* (2018) and *Vikram Vedha* (2017), a film director of 1990s romantic hits such as *Kadhal Desam* and *Kadhalar Dhinam*, and a cinematographer, S. R. Kathir, who shot *Subramaniapuram* and *Jai Bhim*.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Actor Kathir | Tamil film actor; debut *Madha Yaanai Koottam* (2013) as Parthiban; breakthrough with *Kirumi* (2015)[1](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29) |
| Signature role | Titular role in *Pariyerum Perumal* (2018), directed by Mari Selvaraj and produced by Pa Ranjith's Neelam Productions[2](https://www.moviecrow.com/interviews/68/kathir-interview) |
| Director Kathir | Director, producer and screenwriter from Tirunelveli, active since 1991; directed *Idhayam* (1991) through *Kadhal Virus* (2002)[3](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29) |
| Rahman collaboration | Six films with music by A. R. Rahman, from *Uzhavan* (1993) to *Kadhal Virus* (2002)[4](https://arrahmanian.com/artists/kathir) |
| S. R. Kathir | Cinematographer born 1978 in Coimbatore; known for *Kattradhu Thamizh* (2007), *Subramaniapuram* (2008), *Nadodigal* (2009)[5](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D) |
## Actor Kathir
Kathir is an Indian actor who works in Tamil-language films. He made his debut in 2013 with *Madha Yaanai Koottam*, directed by Vikram Sukumaran, playing the character Parthiban, and became widely known through *Kirumi* (2015), in which he played the title character[1](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29). His date of birth is reported differently by databases: TamilMDb gives 21 September 1990[6](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/10871/kathir), while the Tamil-language wiki gives 21 September 1992[1](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29). His birthplace is likewise given variously as Kumarapalayam[7](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/kathir-tamil-actor/filmography.html) and Erode, Tamil Nadu[8](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6453091/).
**Entry into acting.** Kathir has said he never intended to act and took his first film because his father wanted him to; the plan was to try one film and return to business and studies if it failed. The reception of *Madha Yaanai Koottam* changed that, and he then listened to several scripts a day before choosing *Kirumi*, whose freshness appealed to him[9](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2019/Dec/01/i-am-drawn-to-sensible-films-that-have-something-to-say-15804.html).
**Pariyerum Perumal.** In 2018 he played the title role in Mari Selvaraj's debut film *Pariyerum Perumal*, produced by Pa Ranjith's Neelam Productions and released on 28 September 2018. Kathir said he went in search of the script himself, calling the director the morning after a friend mentioned it at around 3 AM, and described the film as based on a true story[2](https://www.moviecrow.com/interviews/68/kathir-interview). The film deals with caste inequality and honor killing, and Kathir's performance drew wide praise; he called it a huge leap in his career and said he prefers to be remembered through quality films rather than quantity[10](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/Oct/01/i-wish-to-balance-mainstream-and-offbeat-cinema-kathir-8132.html).
His other credits include *Ennodu Vilayadu* (2017, as Sridhar), *Vikram Vedha* (2017, as Pulli), *Sathru*, *Sigai* and *Jada* (2019), *Yugi* (2022), and *Thalaikoothal* (2023)[6](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/10871/kathir) • [7](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/kathir-tamil-actor/filmography.html). He also plays a police officer in the Tamil streaming series *Suzhal*[11](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2025/07/28/tamil-suzhal-actor-kathir-malayalam-debut-meesha-interview.html). In 2025 he made his Malayalam debut with *[Meesha](https://www.edgepedia.org/meesha-film)*, directed by Emcy Joseph and released on 1 August; he said he called the director twenty days before production began to confirm he was still certain about casting him[11](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2025/07/28/tamil-suzhal-actor-kathir-malayalam-debut-meesha-interview.html). BookMyShow describes him as best known for his lead performance in *Pariyerum Perumal* and his role in *Vikram Vedha*, and notes his expansion into multilingual projects[12](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kathir/1065715/).
## Director Kathir
The director Kathir is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter, born in [Tirunelveli](https://www.edgepedia.org/tirunelveli), Tamil Nadu, who has worked mainly in Tamil cinema since 1991[3](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29). He began in the industry while still in college as a hoarding designer, working on films including *Moondram Pirai* (1981), *Andha 7 Naatkal* (1981), *Darling Darling Darling* (1982) and [Mani Ratnam](https://www.edgepedia.org/mani-ratnam)'s *Pagal Nilavu* (1985), and later served as an assistant director to [Pandiarajan](https://www.edgepedia.org/pandiarajan) and G. M. Kumar[3](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29). He graduated from the College of Fine Arts and Crafts in Chennai[13](https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/director/kathir-director).
**The romantic films.** His directorial debut, *Idhayam* (1991), set in a medical college, told the story of a shy young man unable to confess his love, and was a major success of its time[13](https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/director/kathir-director). He followed it with *Uzhavan* (1993), *Kadhal Desam* (1996), *Kadhalar Dhinam* (1999), which was dubbed in Hindi as *Dil Hi Dil Mein*, and *Kadhal Virus* (2002), on which he was also producer[3](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29). *Kadhal Desam*, released on 23 July 1996 with a runtime of 2 hours 38 minutes, starred Vineeth, Abbas, Tabu, Srividya and Vadivelu[14](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-details/kadhal-desam/movieshow/65008178.cms). In 2016 he directed the Kannada film *Nan Love Track*[3](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29).
**Working with A. R. Rahman.** Six of his films had music by [A. R. Rahman](https://www.edgepedia.org/a-r-rahman): *Uzhavan*, *Kadhal Desam*, *Kadhalar Dhinam*, the Hindi *Dil Hi Dil Mein*, the Telugu *Prema Desam* and *Kadhal Virus*[4](https://arrahmanian.com/artists/kathir). In a 2007 radio interview, Kathir recounted that after *Idhayam* he sought Rahman for *Kadhal Desam* and, because Rahman's fees were then low, booked him with an advance of Rs 10,000 that he borrowed from a friend; the first story they discussed was *Kadhal Desam*, although *Uzhavan* reached theaters first[15](https://rahmaniac.com/artist-reflections/directors-with-ar-rahman/director-kathir-ar-rahman-debut/). The same interview credits him with introducing new faces, including the actress Heera in *Idhayam* and [Prabhu Deva](https://www.edgepedia.org/prabhu-deva) and [Raju Sundaram](https://www.edgepedia.org/raju-sundaram)[15](https://rahmaniac.com/artist-reflections/directors-with-ar-rahman/director-kathir-ar-rahman-debut/); a later Times of India report adds Abbas (*Kadhal Desam*), Kunal (*Kadhalar Dhinam*), Rambha (*Uzhavan*), and Richard and Sridevi Vijaykumar (*Kadhal Virus*) to that list[16](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/after-19-years-kathir-and-ar-rahman-will-reunite-for-a-musical-love-story/articleshow/85350829.cms).
**Later career.** He did not direct a Tamil film after *Kadhal Virus* (2002); in 2021 he announced a return with a musical love story starring a debutant, reuniting with Rahman after 19 years[16](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/after-19-years-kathir-and-ar-rahman-will-reunite-for-a-musical-love-story/articleshow/85350829.cms). He married Shanthini Devi in 2013, with the wedding on 2 September in Madurai and a reception in Chennai on 4 September[17](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/director-kathir-to-marry/articleshow/21595444.cms).
## S. R. Kathir
S. R. Kathir (born 1978, [Coimbatore](https://www.edgepedia.org/coimbatore)) is an Indian cinematographer working in Tamil cinema and a member of the South Indian Cinematographers' Association, known for his work with the directors [M. Sasikumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/m-sasikumar), [Samuthirakani](https://www.edgepedia.org/samuthirakani) and Gautham Vasudev Menon[5](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D). His credits include *Kattradhu Thamizh* (2007), *Subramaniapuram* (2008) and *Nadodigal* (2009)[5](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D). In a 2009 interview he described how, after college in Chennai, he sought to train under the cinematographer P. C. Sriram, who referred him to his assistant Ramji[18](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/kathir-says-it-all/articleshow/4978173.cms). His recognitions include a Vijay Award (2009), an Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award (2016) and honors at the Boston International Film Festival in 2022, where *Jai Bhim* won Best Actress and Best Cinematography[5](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D).
## References
1. [கதிர் (நடிகர்), தமிழர்விக்கி](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29)
2. [Kathir Interview, Moviecrow](https://www.moviecrow.com/interviews/68/kathir-interview)
3. [கதிர் (இயக்குநர்), தமிழர்விக்கி](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29)
4. [Kathir, AR Rahmanian](https://arrahmanian.com/artists/kathir)
5. [எஸ். ஆர். கதிர், தமிழர்விக்கி](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D)
6. [Kathir (Actor), TamilMDb](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/10871/kathir)
7. [கதிர் திரைப்பட பட்டியல், Filmibeat Tamil](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/kathir-tamil-actor/filmography.html)
8. [Kathir, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6453091/)
9. [Kathir: I am drawn to sensible films that have something to say, Cinema Express (2019)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2019/Dec/01/i-am-drawn-to-sensible-films-that-have-something-to-say-15804.html)
10. [I wish to balance mainstream and offbeat cinema: Kathir, Cinema Express (2018)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/Oct/01/i-wish-to-balance-mainstream-and-offbeat-cinema-kathir-8132.html)
11. [Kathir on his Malayalam debut 'Meesha,' Onmanorama (2025)](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2025/07/28/tamil-suzhal-actor-kathir-malayalam-debut-meesha-interview.html)
12. [Kathir, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kathir/1065715/)
13. [Tamil Director Kathir Biography, NETTV4U](https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/director/kathir-director)
14. [Kadhal Desam, Times of India movie page](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-details/kadhal-desam/movieshow/65008178.cms)
15. [How Director Kathir got A.R. Rahman on board with just Rs 10,000, Rahmaniac](https://rahmaniac.com/artist-reflections/directors-with-ar-rahman/director-kathir-ar-rahman-debut/)
16. [After 19 years, Kathir and AR Rahman will reunite, Times of India (2021)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/after-19-years-kathir-and-ar-rahman-will-reunite-for-a-musical-love-story/articleshow/85350829.cms)
17. [Director Kathir to marry, Times of India (2013)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/director-kathir-to-marry/articleshow/21595444.cms)
18. [Kathir says it all, Times of India Chennai Times (2009)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/kathir-says-it-all/articleshow/4978173.cms)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Directors, producers, and screenwriters › Indian and South Asian film directors › Tamil cinema directors*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license