Manikandan was born into a family of police officers in Usilampatti, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu.[1] Due to his father's frequent transfers, Manikandan's family frequently moved. After completing his schooling, he did his diploma in automobile engineering.[2] He developed an interest in photography and started his career as a wedding photographer.[3] During this time, he also designed identification cards for schools and colleges to save money for a digital photography course at the Mindscreen Film Institute, a film school managed by director and cinematographer Rajiv Menon.[1]
In the mid-2000s, he started his film career as an assistant cinematographer in Tamil films. During this time, he co-wrote several scripts for short films. He got his major break with the short film Wind (2010), his directorial debut. The film brought him critical acclaim and was screened in several film festivals.[2] The film caught the attention of Tamil film director Vetrimaaran, who helped him produce Kaaka Muttai (2015), his feature film debut. The film revolves around two slum-dwelling kids whose solitary desire in life is to taste a pizza.[1] The film premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in June 2015. At the 62nd National Film Awards, it won two honours – Best Children's Film and Best Child Artist.[4] The film won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the 13th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.[5]
In February 2024, thieves broke into Manikandan's second home in Usilampatti, stealing money, gold, and silver. The incident received international attention when the burglars returned days later to anonymously return Manikandan's 2022 National Film Award for Kadaisi Vivasaayi.[10]
