When he was in class 12, he read an article written by Vairamuthu, discussing the lyrics of the song "Andhimzhai Pozhigiradhu" which had the word "Nithilam" in it.

[2] Nithilan initially aspired to join the military like his relatives, but his love for films and poetry gradually steered him towards filmmaking.

Punnagai Vaanginaal Kanneer Elavasam, his final round entry, made him the top prize of season 3.

[6][7] After a seven-year hiatus, Nithilan's sophomore film, Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi, was released on 14 June 2024.

His works often revolve around inanimate objects, a unique aspect noted in both Kurangu Bommai and Maharaja.