

However, the film was later shelved and the pair decided to collaborate for the new venture titled Kodai Vidumurai. Following a delay, the actor was replaced by Srikanth and a launch was held in 2009 by the production house Ayngaran International. Kathir announced a comeback in 2008 and began work on a film titled Manavar Dhinam with Vinay in the lead role.

He moved on to briefly begin pre-production work on a project titled Bangalore in late 1999, before opting not to continue. After being unable to produce the film himself, he shelved the venture. Kathir scripted and was ready to make a film titled I Love You by 1997. In 1996, Kadhal Desam emerged as the biggest hit of his career grossing ₹10 crore at the box office. He also distributed the film all over Tamil Nadu. In 2001, he founded his own production studio Sound Light Studio through which he produced Kadhal Virus. He worked as an assistant director for Pandiyarajan and GM Kumar. Kathir started out as a poster designer in the film industry, and designed posters for films including Moondram Pirai (1981), Andha 7 Naatkal (1981), Darling, Darling, Darling (1982) and Mani Ratnam's Pagal Nilavu (1985) to make pocket money while he was in college. He did a five-year course in Fine arts and graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts. Kathir got into the College of Fine arts and Crafts, Chennai. After completing his 8th standard there he attended the Concordia high school, Vadakangulam for just one year to study 9th standard. He finished his 5th standard there and joined Nehru middle school, Vadakangulam. Kathir had his elementary schooling in kalkarai elementary school. His father Subhash was a farmer and mother Isakiammal assisted him in his farming. Kathir grew up in a middle-class family as the only son along with his three sisters.

Kathir was born in kalkarai, a small village in the Radhapuram Taluk of Tirunelveli District, state of Tamil Nadu, India.
