[3] He pursued English literature degree at Loyola College then learnt editing at film institute.
[4] He first directed the film Ethirum Pudhirum, loosely based on forest brigand Veerappan and his younger brother's death, starring Mammootty.
The film's producer T. Ajay kumar made Dharani the director of his next production, starring Vikram, Dhill.
Unlike the previous success in Ghilli, Kuruvi was an sleeper hit at the box office after completion of 150 days.
In 2011, he remade the 2010 Hindi film Dabangg in Tamil as Osthe, with Silambarasan in the lead role, which was again declared an average hit.