Senthilnathan

He is the son of director Jambulingam who directed M. G. Ramachandran starrer Nam Naadu. Senthilnathan cast his son, Vinod, in the lead role of Unnai Naan (2004).^[1]

Initially, he worked as an assistant to director M. Bhaskar in Soolam (1980) and Pakkathu Veetu Roja (1982). He then worked as an assistant director under S. A. Chandrasekhar for 7 years from Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981) until Needhikku Thandanai (1987). At that time, he befriended with actor Vijayakanth who promised him to act in his films in the future. When producers proposed him to direct a film, he met Vijayakanth but the actor was in a busy schedule. Waiting for his availability, he worked as an assistant director under V. Azhagappan in three films. Senthilnathan finally made his directorial debut in 1988 with the Tamil film Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran. The film turned out to be a blockbuster.^[2]

In 2001, he agreed terms with producer Ibrahim Rowther to make a film titled Kadhal Mudal Kadhal Varai, which would have debutant Bala Kumaran and Uma in the lead role. The film would have marked the director's 25th film, but the producer's financial troubles meant that the film was shelved.^[3]