Hours after the news broke that actor Thangaraj, known as Nellai Thangaraj, who played Kathir's father in Pariyerum Perumal, died on Friday, the film's director Mari Selvaraj paid his tribute on social media.

Sharing a photo of himself along with the late actor, Mari Selvaraj paid his respects to the latter and said that his work in Pariyerum Perumal will be remembered.

Thangaraj played the protagonist, Pariyan's father, in Pariyerum Perumal, who dances in temple festivities in drag clothing. Even though his role was minor, it is regarded to be one of the nuanced and sensitive characters, written of people who do not conform to gender norms. Thangaraj's character was designed in a way to represent intersectional oppression, both on the basis of caste and gender.