Skip to content
MovieCove
S.P. Muthuraman

S.P. Muthuraman

Director, also writer and producer · Born April 7, 1935 (91) · Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India

SP. Muthuraman is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry. He has directed nearly 75 films in Tamil. He was one of the most successful commercial directors in Tamil cinema. Initially he worked mainly with Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar and Kamal Haasan. In the late 1970s, his association with Rajinikanth proved to be extremely successful, as they went on work together in 25 films. Muthuraman was mainly responsible for moulding Rajini's career and turning him into a commercial star. He has received two South Filmfare Awards and a Best Director award from the Tamil Nadu State Government. He was also the associate producer of the Rajinikanth starrer Sivaji.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 7, 1935 (91)
From
Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Works as
Director, also writer and producer
Titles
11 on MovieCove · 62 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28

What are S.P. Muthuraman's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
40%
Morality
40%
Self
10%
Power
6%
Survival
3%
Society
2%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 6 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 0 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Thrilling
5
Romantic
2
Bittersweet
3
Melancholic
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Rousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch S.P. Muthuraman's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 11 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for S.P. Muthuraman's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

62 credits, 11 with a MovieCove page.

  • Murattu Kaalai(2012)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ayan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Associate Producer

  • Sivaji(2007)

    Co-Producer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Thottil Kuzhandhai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Pandiyan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director · Producer

  • Kaaval Geetham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Athisaya Piravi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Guru Sishyulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Thiyagu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Raja Chinna Roja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Dharmathin Thalaivan(1988)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Nallavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Guru Sishyan(1988)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Per Sollum Pillai(1987)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Manithan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Velaikkaaran(1987)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Dharma Devathai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Mr. Bharath(1986)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Jappanil Kalyanaraman(1985)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Nalla Thambi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Sri Raghavendrar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Uyarndha Ullam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • En Selvame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Ammavum Neeye Appavum Neeye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Enakkul Oruvan(1984)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Nallavanukku Nallavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Oorukku Upadesam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Naan Mahaan Alla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Adutha Varisu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Paayum Puli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Oru Kai Pappoam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Actor

  • Enkeyo Ketta Kural (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director

  • Sakalakala Vallavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director

  • Pudhu Kavithai(1982)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Pokkiri Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director

  • Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Ranuva Veeran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Netrikan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Kazhugu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Murattu Kaalai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director

  • Rishi Moolam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director

  • Vetrikku Oruvan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Kadavul Amaitha Medai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Kavari Maan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Priya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Writer

  • Sakka Podu Podu Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Vattathukkul Chathuram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Kaatrinile Varum Geetham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Aalukkoru Aasai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director

  • Aadu Puli Attam(1977)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director

  • Mogam Muppadhu Varusham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Thunive Thunai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Yarukku Mappillai Yaro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Anbu Thangai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Kanimuthu Paappa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 62 titles from 1972 to 2012.

Biggest box office

Sivaji (2007)

$5.9M worldwide

Highest rated

Sivaji (2007)

Midcredits 92nd

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 62: 0 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting59 of 62: 53 only directing, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thWriting5 of 62: 1 only writing, 4 with another roleProducing3 of 62: 2 only producing, 1 with another role

62 titles, 6 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1970s18 · crew1980s34 · 1 acting · 34 crew1990s7 · crew2000s2 · crew2010s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do S.P. Muthuraman's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 11; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 68th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

78thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 11 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 11 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · writer

Murattu Kaalai (2012)

94th percentile spread · 47% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

Sivaji (2007)

Midcredits 92nd · 82% liked

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does S.P. Muthuraman work with?

People who share at least 2 of S.P. Muthuraman's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ilaiyaraaja shares the most, 8.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers