Balaji Tharaneetharan | |
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Nationality | Indian |
Occupations | |
Years active | 2012-present |
Balaji Tharaneetharan is an Indian film director. He made directorial debut with 2012 comedy film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom that released on 30 November 2012 to highly positive reviews from critics. [1]
Balaji Tharaneetharan made his directorial debut with the cult comedy film, Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012) featuring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role. The film was said to be based on a real-life incident that happened in the life of cinematographer Premkumar Chandran and described as a humorous tale about a young man who forgets a few days of his life even as he is about to get married. [2] Prem Kumar lost his memory, when he was working as an assistant cameraman in the film Vaaranam Aayiram ; two days before his marriage he went to play cricket with three friends and while attempting a catch, he fell, losing his memory temporarily. [3] Balaji Tharaneetharan, who was present with him, began writing a script based on the incident, besides directing it as well. [4] One of the other witnesses, Bagavathi Perumal agreed to play himself in the film, while the victim Prem Kumar handled the cinematography himself. [5] Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom was due for release in September 2012, with preview screenings being held for critics and personalities from the film industry. The film received rave reviews from the media and various directors and technicians. [6] Following its positive reception, the team decided to postpone the film's release in order to achieve a wider release. [7] It consequently opened to very positive reviews from the critics. M. Suganth from Times of India gave it 4 out of 5 and called it an "instant cult comedy that delivers the laughs big time" and added that "the film's real success lies in the genuine rush of feel-good emotion it leaves you with as it ends; it is at once a relief and a celebration". [8] K. R. Manigandan from The Hindu wrote that the film was "a winner whichever way you choose to look at it. With just a simple story and a small team of talented newcomers, director Balaji Tharaneetharan has, on a shoestring budget, managed to deliver what even major banners with their big budgets and huge star casts often struggle to make — a wholesome entertainer". [1] It subsequently performed well at award ceremonies the following year, winning Balaji recognition as the leading debut director and for writing the best script at the Vijay Awards and the Edison Awards.
In January 2013, he began pre-production on his second film titled Seethakathi for producers Vasan Visual Ventures. [9] However, after a year of scripting, Balaji announced that he had temporarily stalled the venture and would resume it later in his career. In August 2014, he subsequently made an official announcement that his next venture would be titled Oru Pakka Kathai and would feature Kalidas Jayaram, son of actor Jayaram in the lead role. [10] Following this, his next would be Vijay Sethupathy's Seethakathi in which these two joining hands again after Naduvulla Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom . [11] [12]
Year | Film | Notes |
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2012 | Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom | Vijay Award for Best Debut Director Norway Tamil Film Festival Best Story Award Edison Award for Best Debutant Director Nominated - Vijay Award for Best Story, Screenplay Writer Nominated - SIIMA Award for Best Debutant Director |
2018 | Seethakaathi | |
2020 | Oru Pakka Kathai | Release directly on Zee5 |
2023 | Modern Love Chennai | Writer (Imaigal and Margazhi) |
The Vijay for Best Story, Screenplay Writer is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films.
Vijay Gurunatha Sethupathi Kalimuthu is an Indian actor and film producer who predominantly works in Tamil films. He is a recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, two Filmfare Awards South and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. He has also worked in Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada language films.
Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, abbreviated as NKPK, is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film, written and directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan in his directorial debut. Produced by V. S. Rajkumar under the studio Leo Vision, it was distributed by J. Satish Kumar, under his banner JSK Film Corporation. It stars Vijay Sethupathi, Gayathrie, as well as debutants Vigneshwaran Palanisamy, Bagavathi Perumal and Rajkumar. The plot is based on a true story that involves a young man who experiences retrograde amnesia after a cricket incident two days before his wedding.
Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, also referred to as Idhaaba, is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language comedy film, written and directed by Gokul. Produced by Leo Visions, the film stars Vijay Sethupathi, Ashwin, Swathi, Nandita, and Pasupathy. It was released on 2 October 2013. The film received positive reviews from critics and became a success. It was remade in Kannada as Jackson (2015).
Gayathrie Shankar is an Indian actress who appears in Tamil and Malayalam films. Her Tamil film debut was in 2012 with 18 Vayasu, and is best known for her role in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012). She had her Malayalam film debut with Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022).
Pusthakamlo Konni Pageelu Missing is a 2013 Telugu-language comedy film directed by Sajid Qureshi and Produced by Mohammad Sohail Ansari. The film is a remake of Balaji Tharaneetharan's 2012 film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. It stars Sree, Supraja, Rahul, Satish and Mast Ali in vital roles. Gunwanth Sen scored the Music. The film released on 9 August 2013 and did decent business at the box office in spite of mixed reviews from the critics.
Bagavathi Perumal, popularly known as Bucks, is an Indian actor, who has worked in Tamil films. Perumal debuted in Balaji Tharaneetharan's critically acclaimed Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012). Bagavathi has since appeared in pivotal roles in films including Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum (2014), Naalu Policeum Nalla Irundha Oorum (2015), Pichaikkaran (2016) and Super Deluxe (2019).
Rajakumar is an Indian actor, who has worked in Tamil films. Rajakumar debuted in Balaji Tharaneetharan's critically acclaimed Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012), Rajakumar has since appeared in pivotal roles in films including Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham (2013) and Naalu Policeum Nalla Irundha Oorum (2015).
Kalidas Jayaram is an Indian actor who appears predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films.
Oru Pakka Kathai is a 2020 Indian Tamil language romantic fantasy film written and directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan. It stars Kalidas Jayaram and Megha Akash. The movie is produced by K.S. Sreenivasan under the banner of Vasan's Visual Ventures. It released on ZEE5 on 25 December 2020.
Siddharth Vipin is an Indian composer, who mainly produces film scores and soundtracks in the Tamil film industry. He recently married Shriya Mohandas.
Vijay Sethupathi is an Indian actor, producer, screenwriter, lyricist and playback singer who works mainly in Tamil films. He has also worked in a few Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films. He began his career in 1996 by playing small uncredited roles in films, before his first lead role in Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010), under Seenu Ramasamy's direction. 2012 marked a turning point in Sethupathi's career; all his three releases were critical and commercial successes, resulting in a rise in his popularity.
Vedshanker is an Indian music composer. A former student of A. R. Rahman's school. he made his debut in the Tamil film Paalai (2010) and then made a breakthrough with his work in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012).
R. K. Suresh is an Indian Tamil film producer and actor who heads the production company, Studio 9. In 2015, Suresh debuted as an actor, working in Bala's Tharai Thappattai and M. Muthaiah's Marudhu. He is currently the vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Tamil Nadu OBC wing.
Megha Akash is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil and Telugu films. She made her acting debut with the Telugu film Lie (2017). She made her Tamil film debut with Petta and Hindi film debut with Satellite Shankar, both in 2019. She has also appeared in Raja Raja Chora (2021) and Dear Megha (2021).
'96 is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by C. Prem Kumar in his directorial debut. Produced by S. Nanthagopal of Madras Enterprises, the film was distributed by Lalit Kumar under his banner, Seven Screen Studio. Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha Krishnan are in the prominent roles as Ram and Jaanu, while newcomers Gouri G. Kishan and Aadithya Bhaskar played the younger versions. The film also stars an ensemble cast including Bagavathi Perumal, Devadarshini, Aadukalam Murugadoss, and others. The film revolves around the reunion of former students from the batch of 1996, twenty-two years after their graduation. The reunion also serves as an opportunity for two former lovers, Ram and Jaanu, to resolve issues surrounding their separation.
Seethakaathi is a 2018 Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, starring Vijay Sethupathi in his 25th lead role in a film. The film began production in April 2017. Upon release the film received very positive reviews from critics but they criticised the lengthy runtime of the film.
Erode Mahesh is an Indian television presenter, actor, writer, comedian, video jockey and educator. He is well known for his works in the television field and is currently serving as one of the judges in the comedy premiere show, Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? which is broadcast on Star Vijay alongside Thadi Balaji, Priyanka Deshpande, Mimicry Sethu and Aarthi. Mahesh has also acted in supportive roles through few Tamil films after making his film acting debut in the 2012 film, Sattam Oru Iruttarai. He also appeared as a lead actor in the 2017 film, Inayathalam alongside Ganesh Venkatraman. Erode Mahesh is also known for his Tamil phrase, Adra Adra when encouraging the performers in television shows.
Mathapoo is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Nagaraj and starring newcomer Jayan and Gayathrie.
Kwatle Satisha is a 2014 Indian Kannada-language comedy film directed by Mahesh Rao and starring Sathish Ninasam, Chikkanna, Anand, Suri, and Sonia Gowda. It is a remake of the Tamil film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012).