Veteran actor-filmmaker Marimuthu passed away due to a heart attack on Friday morning, September 8, in Chennai. He was 57. According to reports, Marimuthu was dubbing for a television serial in a studio in the city when he began to experience uneasiness after which he was rushed to a private hospital in Vadapalani. The popular actor's body was kept at the hospital before being taken to his residence in Virugambakkam. Marimuthu, who recently celebrated his 27th wedding anniversary on September 2, is survived by his wife Bhagyalakshmi, son Akilan, and daughter Ishwarya.
Hailing from Pasumalaitheri, Theni district, Marimuthu, and many other popular Tamil cinema names journeyed to Chennai to become a film director. He served as an assistant to poet Vairamuthu, while also working as an assistant director to filmmakers Vasanth, Mani Ratnam, S J Suryah, and Seeman, and went on to direct two films Kannum Kannum (2008) and Pulival (2014). Known prominently for playing character roles on television, Marimuthu garnered a fan following for his portrayal of the villain Aadhi Gunasekaran on the hit Sun TV Tamil serial Ethir Neechal, and his dialogue "Emma Aei" on the show became popular.
Marimuthu also impressed audiences in his appearances in several notable Tamil films during the course of his cinema career. Some of his most memorable roles include films like Vaali (1999), Yuddham Sei (2011), Nimirndhu Nil (2014), Komban (2015), Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015), Kuttrame Thandanai (2016), Kodi (2016), Kadaikutty Singam (2018), Pariyerum Perumal (2018), Sandakozhi 2 (2018), Puppy (2019), Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu (2019), Naan Sirithal (2020), Sulthan (2021), Doctor (2021), Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum (2021), Atrangi Re (2021; Hindi), Vikram (2022), including playing a key role in 'Superstar' Rajinikanth's recently-released Jailer (2023). Reports state that Marimuthu will also be seen in the upcoming Kamal Haasan-starrer Indian 2 directed by Shankar.
