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Vignesh Shivan Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth18 September 1985

Age39 Years

BirthplaceChennai, Tamil Nadu

ProfessionDirector, Actor, Lyricist, Writer, Producer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseNayanthara

FamilyTwin boys (announced 9 October 2022); Parents: Father - Late Sivakozhundhu, Mother - Meena Kumari

Vignesh Shivan Biography

Vignesh Shivan is a Chennai-born filmmaker who has worked as a director, actor, writer, lyricist and producer in Tamil cinema. Known for films such as Podā

Early life and background

Vignesh Shivan was born on 18 September 1985 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Raised in the city he calls home, he attended Santhome Higher Secondary School in Mylapore. His parents worked in law enforcement: his father Sivakozhundhu served as a superintendent of police and his mother Meena Kumari retired as an inspector at the Vadapalani police station. Vignesh has a sister named Aishwarya.

Career

Shivan began his film journey with a short form project that evolved into his early feature work. He made his acting debut in the 2007 Tamil film Sivi, appearing as a friend of the lead character. He then pursued directing and writing, completing the Tamil film Podaa Podi, which is credited as his debut as a director and writer.

Over the years Shivan expanded his creative roles to include lyric writing, producing and distributing. He wrote the song 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' for Podaa Podi and later penned the song 'Engadi Poranthae' for Vanakkam Chennai. As a director, his credits include Naanum Rowdydhaan, which won him recognition at SIIMA, and other projects such as Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, Paava Kadhaigal and Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal. In addition to directing and writing, he worked as a producer on Netrikann (2021) and acted in cameo roles, including an appearance in Velaiyilla Pattathari.

Shivan and his partner run Rowdy Pictures Pvt. Ltd., a production company through which they have been involved in producing and distributing films, including Rocky (2021) as a distributor. He has also directed several Tamil music videos and singles across the 2010s.

Public profile

Shivan has received industry recognition for his songwriting, winning the SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist in 2019 and the Behindwoods Gold Mic Music Award the same year. He has appeared on the cover of industry magazines and is known for openly citing figures such as A. R. Rahman and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino among his influences, as well as counting cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a role model.

His physical profile as commonly reported lists his height at about 170 cm (5'7"), with black hair and black eyes.

Personal life and family

Vignesh Shivan married actress Nayanthara on 9 June 2022 in a private ceremony at a resort in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. The couple announced the arrival of twin boys on 9 October 2022. The pair run their production company together and have been public about aspects of their relationship and professional partnership.

Latest updates

In recent years Shivan has remained active across multiple creative roles in Tamil cinema—directing, writing, producing, lyric writing and occasional acting. He continues to lead projects through Rowdy Pictures and to collaborate with established performers and technicians in the industry.

Public profile and controversies

Shivan's public life has occasionally intersected with controversy. In 2022, complaints and legal notices involving his production activities and public celebrations were reported. An FIR related to promotional activity by Rowdy Pictures and a separate complaint about fireworks used during a film announcement were among the matters covered in media reports. Following the announcement of his twins, media attention included questions reported in the press about aspects of the birth announcement and related procedures, which led to public statements about inquiries.

Favorites

Among his listed personal interests are cricket (he supports the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL) and music, with A. R. Rahman named among his favourite singers.
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Recent Work

Netrikann

Producer credit (2021, Tamil)

2021
Rocky

Distributor credit (2021, Tamil)

2021
Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal

Director/Writer credit

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Career Highlights

  1. Debuted as an actor in Sivi (2007)
  2. Directed and wrote Podaa Podi (debut as director/writer)
  3. Won SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist (2019)
  4. Produced Netrikann (2021) and distributed Rocky (2021)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Vignesh Shivan born?

18 September 1985

What is Vignesh Shivan known for?

Director, Actor, Lyricist, Writer, Producer

What is Vignesh Shivan’s marital status?

Married

Who is Vignesh Shivan married to?

Nayanthara