Editor Kalaivananʼs journey in the film industry is an inspiring tale of perseverance and passion. Hailing from Pothanur, Coimbatore, he pursued his schooling in Pollachi while staying in a hostel. After completing his 12th grade, he moved to
Chennai to chase his dream of working in the film industry. He enrolled at the MGR Government Film & TV Institute in Tharamani, Chennai, where he began his journey into film editing.
His entry into the film industry happened while he was still in college. During his second semester, he got the opportunity to work under A. Richard Kevin, the editor of Vikram Vedha. At that time, Richard was working on the film Paagan, and Kalaivanan assisted him. As he progressed in his studies, he secured another opportunity with Editor Ruban on the film Raja Rani, directed by Atlee. Even though he was still a student, he managed his attendance efficiently, maintaining a good relationship with his professors, who were highly supportive. He attended only the necessary exams while dedicating the rest of his time to working on films.
Kalaivananʼs first full-time editing project was Thumbaa, a Tamil adventure comedy film directed by Harish Ram L.H. The movie carried a strong environmental message about wildlife conservation and featured extensive CGI and VFX, especially for depicting animals like a tiger. Kalaivanan took on the responsibility of editing the film entirely, proving his capabilities as a full-fledged editor. Interestingly, he got the opportunity to work on Thumbaa while assisting on the movie Remo. Harish Ram L.H., who was then Anirudhʼs music editor for Remo, offered Kalaivanan the chance to edit Thumbaa.
After working on Thumbaa, he contributed to the post-production of Bigil and later ventured into other projects independently. He edited the film Miral, starring actor Bharath, followed by Dinosaur, which was released in 2023. Subsequently, he signed on as the editor for Thanal, featuring actor Atharvaa Murali. Although the movie has yet to be released.
The Breakthrough: Amaran
His breakthrough moment came when he got the opportunity to work on Amaran, directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International. The film, based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan, starred Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi, Rahul Bose, and Bhuvan Arora. Released on October 31, 2024, coinciding with Diwali, Amaran received widespread critical acclaim. Kalaivananʼs editing was particularly praised, further cementing his reputation in the industry. Following the success of “Amaran”, Kalaivanan received numerous offers but decided to take on projects one at a time, ensuring he delivered quality work without rushing. His next major project came in December 2024 when he was announced as the editor for Suriya 45, directed by RJ Balaji and Suriya in lead role. He secured this opportunity through cinematographer G.K. Vishnu, whom he had known since their collaboration on Mersal. And also he is going to work with the Dhanush – Rajkumar Periyasamy Project.
In addition to editing feature films, Kalaivanan has worked on several short films, including an episode in “Paava Kadhaigal” web series, directed by Vignesh Shivan. His connection with Vignesh Shivan dates back to their collaboration on the music video “Chancey Illa”, after which he edited several promos for the director. Although he doesnʼt prefer working late at night unless necessary, he made an exception for trailer editing, as he finds it a peaceful time to focus. For Amaran, he handled the editing of the trailer, teasers, and the entire film, showcasing his versatility in post-production. Kalaivanan has also worked on trailer edits for various films, including “Poikaal Kuthirai” and an upcoming project starring actor Sasikumar. His dedication to his craft and ability to maintain strong relationships within the industry have played a significant role in his success. He maintains a close bond with Editor Ruban, who once invited him to work on Indian 2, but due to scheduling conflicts, he couldnʼt take on the project.
A Strong Network & Personal Life Having been in the film industry since 2012, Kalaivananʼs journey has been marked by consistency and passion. From working on Raja Rani in 2013 to collaborating with Atlee and now taking on major projects independently, he has steadily built a name for himself. His ability to network and maintain good relationships with industry professionals, including editors like Sanga Thamizhan, Suresh, and Deepak.
Kalaivanan credits his supportive family for allowing him to pursue his dream without restrictions. His father, who had aspirations of joining the film industry but couldn’t fulfill them, encouraged him to follow his passion. His brother has also been a pillar of support throughout his journey. His personal life has been equally eventful. He had marriage in 2019, and shortly after, the pandemic struck, putting work on hold. However, his wife stood by him during difficult times, providing unwavering support.
Reflecting on his career, he shares insights about his experiences in the industry. Speaking about Thumbaa, he mentions that while the filmʼs shoot was completed in just 20 days, the CGI work took nearly 8 to 10 months to finish. This highlights the challenges involved in post-production, especially when working with extensive visual effects. As he moves forward, Kalaivanan remains selective about his projects, choosing quality over quantity. His disciplined approach, industry connections, and unwavering passion continue to drive his career, making him one of the most promising editors in Tamil cinema.
