T. Suriavelan
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T. Suriavelan (born 25 June 1992) is a Singaporean filmmaker, television director, actor, screenwriter, composer, lyricist, and producer. He is primarily active in the Tamil entertainment industry and is recognized for handling multiple creative responsibilities within a single production, including directing, writing, producing, acting, composing, and lyric writing. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 360 Entertainment Productions, a Singapore-based production company specializing in films, television, music videos, commercials, and digital entertainment.
| Full Name | T. Suriavelan |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 June 1992 |
| Birthplace | Singapore |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Occupation | Film Director, Television Director, Actor, Screenwriter, Lyricist, Composer, Producer |
| Known For | Must Date the Playboy, Naam, Avathaaram, Joe: The Black Assassin |
| Awards | 15th Edison Awards – Standout Performer; Content Creator of the Year 2022 |
| Website | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9545893/ |
T. Suriavelan (born 25 June 1992) is a Singaporean filmmaker, television director, actor, screenwriter, composer, lyricist, and producer. He is primarily active in Singapore's Tamil entertainment industry, where he has built a multidisciplinary career spanning feature films, television dramas, music videos, advertisements, and digital productions. Throughout his career, Suriavelan has become known for undertaking multiple creative responsibilities within the same project, including directing, writing, producing, acting, composing, and writing lyrics.
Early Life and Background
T. Suriavelan was born on 25 June 1992 in Singapore to Tamil parents. He developed an early interest in storytelling, cinema, music, and the performing arts while growing up in a culturally rich Tamil household. His passion for filmmaking eventually led him toward a professional career in television and cinema.
Education
Suriavelan completed a Diploma in Biomedical Engineering from Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore. Although he pursued engineering academically, he chose to dedicate his career to filmmaking and entertainment, combining technical knowledge with creative storytelling.
Career
Suriavelan entered Singapore's entertainment industry through acting before expanding into directing, screenwriting, producing, music composition, and lyric writing. Since 2015, he has worked across television dramas, feature films, music productions, and digital entertainment.
He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 360 Entertainment Productions, a production company engaged in film production, television programming, music videos, advertisements, branded content, and digital entertainment.
His work is characterized by managing multiple creative disciplines within a single production, making him one of the few Singaporean Tamil filmmakers to consistently direct, write, produce, compose, and perform in his own projects.
Television
In 2026, Suriavelan wrote and directed Must Date the Playboy, a 28-episode romantic drama produced for Mediacorp Vasantham. Adapted from the Philippine novel by Imma Delos Santos, the series featured two original songs, Oru Murai and Thalli Pogura, both written and composed by Suriavelan.
Earlier, he directed, wrote, produced, and acted in Naam (2020) and its sequel Naam 2 (2022). He also created the six-episode romantic comedy Mitara (2020) under Singapore's Stories4SG initiative.
One of his notable television achievements came with Avathaaram (2019), which originated through Mediacorp Vasantham's Vasantham Muthal Paarvai initiative. The series earned nominations in nine categories at the Pradhana Vizha Awards 2021, including Best Drama and Best Director.
Prior to becoming a director, Suriavelan appeared as an actor in several television productions including:
- Neeya (2015)
- Vetri (Season 3) (2016)
- Kalaba Kadhala (2018)
- Yaar? (Season 2) (2018)
- Bommalattam (2019)
Feature Films
Suriavelan made his feature film directorial debut in 2017 with Joe: The Black Assassin.
Besides directing, he served as the film's writer, producer, actor, and lyricist. The film achieved a sold-out screening at a 1,000-seat theatre and completed successful theatrical runs in Singapore and Malaysia, making it one of Singapore's notable Tamil independent productions.
The song Saaral Mazhaiyaa, written by Suriavelan, received appreciation for its lyrical composition.
Music Career
Alongside filmmaking, Suriavelan has established himself as a composer, lyricist, and singer.
His notable works include:
- Oru Murai
- Thalli Pogura
- En Anbe
- Adi Penne
- Kannoram
- Usuraiya Tholaichaen
- Saaral Mazhaiyaa
His music frequently accompanies productions that he directs and produces, reflecting his integrated creative approach to filmmaking.
Filmography
Feature Films
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Actor | Producer | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Joe: The Black Assassin | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Actor | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Must Date the Playboy | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 2022 | Naam 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2020 | Naam | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2020 | Mitara | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2019 | Avathaaram | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 2019 | Bommalattam | — | — | ✓ | — |
| 2018 | Yaar? (Season 2) | — | — | ✓ | — |
| 2018 | Kalaba Kadhala | — | — | ✓ | — |
| 2016 | Vetri (Season 3) | — | — | ✓ | — |
| 2015 | Neeya | — | — | ✓ | — |
Selected Music
| Song | Project | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oru Murai | Must Date the Playboy | 2026 | Composer, Lyricist, Singer |
| Thalli Pogura | Must Date the Playboy | 2026 | Composer, Lyricist, Singer |
| Kannoram | Naam Series | 2022 | Lyricist |
| Adi Penne | Naam Series | 2021–2022 | Composer, Lyricist |
| En Anbe | Naam Series | 2021 | Composer, Lyricist |
| Usuraiya Tholaichaen | Standalone | 2017 | Lyricist |
Creative Style
Suriavelan's work blends emotional storytelling with music-driven narratives. His productions frequently combine cinematic visuals, original soundtracks, and character-focused storytelling. He is particularly recognized for managing multiple creative disciplines within a single production, from script development to music composition.
Although his primary audience is the Tamil-speaking community in Singapore, his productions have also reached viewers in Malaysia, India, and the wider global Tamil diaspora.
Awards and Recognition
- 15th Edison Awards – Standout Performer Award
- Special Digital Recognition Award 2022 – Naam
- Content Creator of the Year 2022 – Naam and Adi Penne
- Content of the Year 2022 – Naam and Adi Penne
- Pradhana Vizha 2021 – Nominated for Best Director (Avathaaram)
- Pradhana Vizha 2021 – Avathaaram nominated for Best Drama
- Pradhana Vizha 2021 – Nominated for Most Popular Male Personality
- Joe: The Black Assassin achieved sold-out theatrical screenings in Singapore and Malaysia.
Media Coverage
- AsiaOne
- CNA Lifestyle
- CNA938
- Mediacorp
External Links
Legacy
T. Suriavelan is regarded as one of Singapore's contemporary Tamil creative professionals whose career spans directing, acting, writing, producing, composing, and lyric writing. Through 360 Entertainment Productions, he continues to contribute to the growth of Singapore's Tamil entertainment industry by developing original television dramas, feature films, music productions, and digital content for audiences across Singapore and the global Tamil community.