Mari Selvaraj

Mari Selvaraj is an Indian film director who works mainly in Tamil cinema, where he also writes screenplays, produces films and pens lyrics. Sometimes credited as Maari Selvaraj, he is best known for Pariyerum Perumal (2018), Karnan (2021) and Maamannan (2023). His first film as director drew highly positive reviews and went on to collect many awards and accolades. Before he directed, he appeared as an actor in Kattradhu Thamizh (2007) and worked as an assistant director on Thanga Meenkal (2013) and Taramani (2019). His breakthrough came with Pariyerum Perumal (2018), which he directed and wrote, and for which he also wrote lyrics. He followed it with Karnan (2021) and then Maamannan (2023), a film he both wrote and directed. He wrote the story for Karki Nanu BA, LLB (2024), produced Vaazhai (2024) and directed Bison Kaalamaadan (2025). Mari Selvaraj often takes on several roles in a single film, writing the story and the lyrics as well as directing. His work has drawn steady notice at major award shows. The Filmfare Awards South nominated him for Best Director (Tamil) in 2021 for Karnan and again in 2023. The South Indian International Movie Awards nominated him in 2018 for Pariyerum Perumal and in 2021 for Karnan.