Shanmugha Raja, known professionally as Mysskin (), is an Indian filmmaker, actor and musician. He made his directorial debut in 2006 with Chithiram Pesuthadi. His subsequent films Anjathe (2008), Nandalala (2010) and Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum (2013) and Pisaasu (2014) received critical acclaim. He made his acting debut with Nandalala, where he portrayed a mentally disabled man.
Early life Shanmugha Raja chose Mysskin as his assumed name, inspired by Prince Myshkin, the protagonist in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel The Idiot. His schooling was in Tamil. He is an avid book reader.
Career
Mysskin was working in a book store when director Kathir first asked him to join him. He was with him for nearly eight months but did not work in any movie. It was under director Vincent Selva that he did his first movie Youth, followed by Jithan, again under Vincent Selva.
Mysskin made his directorial debut in 2006 with the low-budget film Chithiram Pesuthadi, which went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year. A simple love story, it became a hit owing to the unique style the film was written in. The leads, debutants Narain and Bhavana, went on to become popular faces following the success. He then directed Anjathe (2008) which became one of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil cinema. The film received critical acclaim for all departments of filmmaking. The film was also noted for its narrative style and mise-en-scène, which marked an example of Tamil new wave cinema.
Mysskin went on to direct Nandalala (2010), a film loosely based on Takeshi Kitano's Kikujiro (1999) and being completely different from his first two ventures. The film is about a young boy and a mentally challenged person going in search of their respective mothers. Mysskin himself chose to play the mentally challenged character (marking his major acting debut) after the script was turned down by many established actors. The film went on to become his most critically acclaimed film, with some critics calling it one of the best Tamil films ever made.
His next film, Yuddham Sei (2011), a dark crime thriller was a hit at the box office as well. His visual style and directing prowess were appreciated and talked about by everybody. In 2012, the superhero film Mugamoodi has all the makings of a successful film but ends up disappointing. He then both produced and directed the film Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum (2013). Mysskin, known for his offbeat subjects tries his hand for the first time at a horror thriller genre. Pisaasu (2014) which has the signature style of Mysskin has been produced by director Bala's home banner B Studios. In 2017, Thupparivaalan is inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective thriller Sherlock Holmes.
Mysskin has found success as an actor in films not directed by him. In the film Savarakathi (2018), he played the antagonist opposite director Ram. The film was an average commercial success but was praised by critics. He also had an important cameo appearance in Thiagarajan Kumararaja's Super Deluxe (2019). Later, he has directed the psychological thriller Psycho (2020).
He has also played antagonistic roles in films such as Maaveeran (2023) and Leo (2023). He debuted as music director with Devil (2024).
Filmmaking style Mysskin is inspired by filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa, Robert Bresson and Takeshi Kitano. He is known for his peculiar combat sequences using elaborate storyboard and real unarmed martial strikes and stances; unconventional shots (like close-ups of feet); diegetic sound, light, silhouette and shadow; stage techniques (like monologue, face-floor, motion-freeze); staccato background score; meticulous scene and set construction; irony-laden dialogues; ellipses; minimalism; deep characterization (with archetypal hairdo, dress, accent, posture, gesture, locale, furniture); limited use of song choreography; and neo-noir renditions where the lead role is not infallible.
Mysskin is known to start film shoot only after a bound script is ready. He rigorously annotates his scripts with cues and camera lens focal lengths for each scene.Films can be made without songs or heroines, says MysskinCuss words are needed for realism, says Mysskin He says that his films are influenced by the works of Kurosawa.Mysskin admits Kurosawa influence
His assistant directors like G. R. Adithya and Sri Ganesh have also made successful films like Savarakathi and 8 Thottakkal.
Personal life Mysskin has a daughter. His younger brother Aathityaa directed Devil (2024), for which he composed the music.
Filmography All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
Denotes films that have not yet been released
As director + List of Mysskin film directing credits Year Film Notes 2006 Chithiram Pesuthadi 2008 Anjathe Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – TamilNominated, Vijay Award for Best Director 2010 Nandalala Also lead role 2011 Yuddham Sei 2012 Mugamoodi 2013 Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum 2014 Pisaasu 2017 Thupparivaalan 2020 Psycho 2026 Post-production
As actor + List of Mysskin film acting credits Year Film Role Notes 2002 Youth Uncredited appearance in the song "Old Model Laila" Kadhal Virus Man at film shoot Uncredited roles 2005 Jithan Man at phone booth 2010 Nandalala Bhaskar Mani Lead role 2013 Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum Wolf / Edward 2018 Savarakkaththi Mangeswaran Also producer 2019 Super Deluxe Arputham Kattumaram Singaram Suttu Pidikka Utharavu Ibrahim 2021 Bachelor Pastor Doctor Cameo appearance 2023 Maaveeran M. N. Jeyakodi Are You Ok Baby? Child Welfare Committee Director Leo Shanmugam 2024 Devil Himself Cameo appearance 2025 Vanangaan Judge Kuberan Dragon S. Mayilvahanan Oho Enthan Baby Himself 2026 Love Insurance Kompany Doctor Cameo appearanceParimala and Co Inspector Emperuman I'm Game David Abraham Malayalam film debut Savithri's Senior Advocate
As writer and producer This is a list of films Mysskin worked for other directors. Year Title Credited as NotesWriter Producer 2018 Savarakkaththi 2019 Super Deluxe 2024 Devil Also music director
As singer and lyricist Year Film Credited as Song Composer Notes Singer Lyricist 2006 Chithiram Pesuthadi "Aaahayam Aaahayam", "Idhu Enna Pudhu Kanavo (M)" Sundar C Babu 2008 Anjathe "Kannadhasan Karaikudi", "Acham Thavir" Dindigul Sarathy "Sutta Pazhama" Dhina 2011 Yuddham Sei "Aararo" & "Vedham Pudhumai" K 2012 Mugamoodi "Bar Anthem" 2013 Thulli Vilayadu "Ammadi Aathadi" Srikanth Deva 2015 Kallappadam "Vellakaara Rani" K 2016 Savarakkaththi "Kathi Edukkuthaan" Arrol Corelli "Thangakathi" 2017 Thupparivaalan "Ivan Thupparivaalan" Detective (D) "Title Track" Telugu dubbed version 2020 Psycho "Thaai Madiyil"Ilaiyaraaja 2024 Devil all songshimself2025Love Marriage "Eduda Bottle"Sean Roldan
References
External links