The other side of Gnani, widely known more as a journalist and social critic, is his interest and participation in theatre, television and cinema. Running a contemporary theatre group 'Pareeksha' for the last 31 years with friends, Gnani entered television as a director 21 years ago. He has been producing video films through his Gnanabanu visual media unit. His first video effort was a docu-drama to promote awareness about the dangers of nuclear power.

In 1989, Gnani made a short film titled '48.2 percent' on women's issues using a narrative about the life stories of two women. When Doordarshan started its second channel in Chennai in 1990, Gnani directed and produced the first serial on that channel based  on writer Aranthai Narayanan's novel. This serial titled ' vinnilirundhu mannukku' won the best television heroine award of Mylapore Academy for artiste Ms.Vaishnavi that year.

Two stories based on the lives of children written by writer Sujatha have been made into television films by Gnani. 'Picnic' telecast in 1993 won three awards from Santhome Communication Centre - best serial, best producer, and best director. The chairman of the jury was director Mahendran. In 1994, 'pookutti', a sixty minute film was shown as a special telecast for November 14 children's day by Doordarshan.

To mark the golden jubilee of Indian independence, Doordarshan commissioned Gnani in 1997 to produce a  serial on women activists of the freedom struggle and their role in enhancing women's rights. This serial 'vaergal' brought alive many a forgotten woman activist of yester years.

Humour writer Marina's first novel 'kaadhal enna katharikkaayaa?' was made into a television serial in 2000 by Gnani, 35 years after it was originally written. This 13 part serial was shown on Podhigai channel of Doordarshan.

A tele serial on the life of rationalist thinker and activist Periyar E.V.R was made for the first time by Gnani on the occasion of Periyar's 125th birth anniversary in 2002 for Chennai Doordarshan., This five part serial was later screened in various towns of Tamil Nadu by Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam.

Gnani has also made over 40 documentary films on a variety of issues like environment, play way method of education for children, women's equal rights, rights of commercial sex workers etc for various voluntary organisations. Some of them have been shown at international film festivals at Mumbai and Tiruvananthapuram.

In 2007, Gnani engaged himself in an experimental effort in big screen. He launched the one reel movement which aimed at introducing alternate films to the viewers of mainstream commercial cinema. Ten minute long one reel films were sought to be shown before the main picture in theatres. Pyramid Saimira Ltd collaborated in this venture by funding the films and showing them in theatres under its lease. The first one reel was launched in 40 theatres by 40 writers. Based on writer Dilip Kumar's short story, this film ' Thirumathi james ippodhu enna seyyavaendum?' was  shown in theaters showing actor Ajith's Billa for about a month.

The second one reel was made in February 2008 by Gnani, based on writer Anbhadavan's short story. This film has been cleared by censors and is yet to be released by pyramid Saimira.