Gopal was the layout artist for Tharasu. He provided the collages for the cover. He would rework photographs to suit the theme of the lead story. His covers became instant hits. When he fell out with Tharasu, Gopal started his own publication. Thus was born Nakeeran 10 years ago. Today, it sells 2,50,000 copies and prints two issues a week.
Over the years, Nakeeran has been in the news. It was the first publication to face the wrath of Jayalalitha. AIADMK men allegedly attacked and killed Ganesan, the magazine's printer. Later, when the magazine managed to get hold of the biography of 'Auto' Shankar, the multiple killer awaiting the gallows, it became a major issue. The state government tried to get the serial stopped, but Gopal took the case to the Supreme Court and till date the judgment in the case stands as an example of the right to freedom of expression.