Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1984-03-07
- Born Place: Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Also Known As:
Mari Selvaraj, Mari Selvaraju, Maari Selvaraj, மாரி செல்வராஜ்
Mari Selvaraj
Mari Selvaraj (born Mariselvam Selvaraj in Puliyankulam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu) is an acclaimed Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, and lyricist, widely known for his powerful narratives centered on social justice and caste politics in Tamil cinema. He began his professional career as a writer, notably publishing the short story collection Thamirabaraniyil Kollapadathavargal (2013) and the serial Marakkave Ninaikkiren in the Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan. Selvaraj transitioned into filmmaking by working for over a decade as an assistant director to Ram on films like Kattradhu Thamizh (2007), Thanga Meenkal (2013), and Taramani (2017). He made a highly successful directorial debut with Pariyerum Perumal (2018), which earned critical acclaim and multiple awards for its sharp depiction of caste discrimination. He followed this with the successful and impactful films Karnan (2021) and Maamannan (2023), before directing the partially autobiographical film Vaazhai (2024), which also marked his transition as a producer, and the 2025 sports drama Bison Kaalamaadan, which is inspired by the life of Kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan. Selvaraj is married to Divya and they have two children.
