Ezhil made his debut as a filmmaker with Thulladha Manamum Thullum under R. B. Choudary's production house. The film features Vijay and Simran. in the lead roles Prior to release, the role of Vijay's mother in the film was kept under wraps with the media speculating who would play the role. Eventually, no actress played the role, although the character played a pivotal part in the film.[3] Vijay took a pay cut for the film, accepting only 3 million rupees instead of 5 million rupees, as he had signed the film before the release of his blockbuster Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997).[4] Initially, Ezhil wanted comedian Vadivelu to play the lead role. Vadivelu, who was impressed with the story, told Ezhil that the storyline was too good and he did not know whether it will work with him in the lead. Vadivelu also asked Ezhil to wait for six months, and if the latter did not get anyone else as the hero, then Vadivelu will act in it. Vadivelu was then was replaced by Vijay.[5] The film went on to become a blockbuster, running for 100 days across dozens of theatres in Tamil Nadu, while it also enjoyed similar success in the neighboring state of Kerala.[6]
Vijay and Ezhil immediately decided to follow up this film with another collaboration, Pennin Manathai Thottu, with either Isha Koppikar or Roja to be hired as the lead actress. However, soon after pre-production, Vijay was replaced by Prabhu Deva and the film went on to release in 2000.[7][4] Like Thulladha Manamum Thullum, it also became a success.
Ajith Kumar signed the film Poovellam Un Vasam in early 2001 after he pulled out of Praveen Gandhi's commercial film Star.[8] The producers had initially approached Simran, Aishwarya Rai and then Preity Zinta to star, with their refusals leading to the casting of Jyothika.[9]Miss World 2001, Yukta Mookhey was hired to appear in an item number.[10] Ajith gained mass image before the filming so producer Ravichandran expressed his doubts to Ezhil about carrying on with such a family oriented film with an action hero like Ajith in hand. But Ezhil was confident about Ajith's capabilities in pulling off varying roles.[11] The film opened to positive reviews with The Hindu critic labelling it as "reasonably interesting", with Ajith's performance being praised as "Ajith is natural and neat" with claims that "he has to work harder on his soliloquies and sad expressions".[12] The success of the film prompted Ezhil, Ajith Kumar and Jyothika to team up for a venture the following year with Raja.[8]
In 2005, Ezhil directed Amudhae, which received mixed reviews. His 2007 film Deepavali, however, received positive reviews and became a success.
2012-present: Rural comedy films
In 2012, Ezhil made a comeback after a brief sabbatical with Manam Kothi Paravai. When his friends, producer Ambeth Kumar and Ranjeev Menon, asked him how the film's shooting was proceeding, he made them listen to the film's songs by D. Imman. Impressed, they decided to produce it.[13] It was initially expected that Yuvan Shankar Raja, whom Ezhil had worked with in Deepavali, would compose the music, but as the budget of this film could not afford to have Yuvan as the music composer, Ezhil opted for Imman.[14] After the lead role in Marina and an important role in the recently released 3, Sivakarthikeyan is taking up a full-fledged lead role again for Manam Kothi Paravai.[15] The film, which is set in a village, has been shot at Ezhil's native place Kayathur, near Mayavaram and Siva Karthikeyan's Thiruvizhimizhalai.[16]
After a fairly successful outing with Manam Kothi Paravai, Ezhil started his next film titled Desingu Raja, which was in a similar genre rural comedy. He hired Vimal to play the lead Idhayakani, who has been named so by his parents and is a diehard MGR fan. Bindu Madhavi was signed to play the female lead as a Rajinikanth fanatic in the movie, thus pairing with Vimal for the second time after Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga.[17] She said "I play a cheerful, naughty village girl".[18]Muktha Bhanu danced for one song along with Vimal and the group dancers which was shot in Thiruvarur.[19] The film received positive reviews and became a box office hit.[citation needed]
