Saravana Subbiah

Biography:

Saravana Subbiah, an Indian film director and actor active in Tamil language cinema, marked his directorial debut with “Citizen” in 2001, featuring Ajith Kumar as the lead portraying a social activist. Before its release, the film garnered anticipation as reports suggested Ajith’s portrayal in multiple get-ups for a double role.

Released in June 2001, “Citizen” received mixed reviews initially, with The Hindu describing it as a “slow starter” that gains momentum after the first half, ultimately reaching a climax that sets it apart. The review hailed it as a “definite milestone in Ajit’s acting career”. Following “Citizen,” Saravana Subbiah commenced work on another project titled “Itihasam,” co-starring Simran and scripted by Sujatha, exploring caste issues.

Unfortunately, this production was shelved. Subsequently, he was offered the opportunity to direct a Telugu film titled “Vaakaaladu,” starring Venkatesh and Gracy Singh, depicting a narrative on corrupt politics, but the project faced a stall. In 2002, he briefly collaborated on a film titled “Anthanan” with Arjun for producer Navodaya Appachan, but the venture did not progress beyond the pre-production stage.

His second directorial venture, the romantic drama “ABCD,” was released in November 2005. Notably, Saravana Subbiah took on a dual role, not only as the director but also as an actor portraying a negative character in the film. Despite the film receiving mixed reviews, with critics noting its “wafer-thin storyline,” Saravana Subbiah continued his involvement in the industry.

In 2007, he announced his pre-production work on a film titled “Desam Kondan,” starring Sibiraj, but the project did not materialize. Similarly, he briefly associated himself with a project titled “Ennai Ezhanthen” by Kumarappa, where he was to take on the leading role. In 2010, he expanded his repertoire by working as an anchor for the reality show “Kanavu Meipadavendum” on Makkal TV, which aimed to discover young individuals with managerial and leadership qualities.

However, this film also faced cancellation. Saravana Subbiah then transitioned into supporting roles, making notable appearances in Mani Ratnam’s “Raavanan” (2010) as a cop betraying his team and in “Thambi Vettothi Sundaram” (2011), where he received critical acclaim for his performance.