Keyaar

Last updated

Keyaar
Born
Kothanda Ramaiah

(1953-01-01) 1 January 1953 (age 72) [1]
Other namesK. R.
Occupation(s)Film director, producer, distributor, exhibitor, media personality
Years active1975–present

Kothanda Ramaiah (also known as K. R. and Keyaar) is an Indian film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He has held various leading positions in different film industry organizations. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Career

KR studied film processing at the Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972. [1] Upon graduation in 1975, he spent three years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as a director and producer with the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to its release, the film faced a number of distribution problems and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it provided him the incentive to move into film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu covering territories including: Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi. He distributed successful films such as: Thillu Mullu , Thai Veedu , Vaidehi Kathirunthal , Sindhu Bhairavi , Punnagai Mannan , Chinna Poove Mella Pesu , Michael Madana Kama Rajan , Poovizhi Vasalile , Guru Sishyan , Mappillai , Rajadhi Raja, and My Dear Kuttichathan 3D in Tamil. [5]

Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films. His directorial debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave featured new actors and was a huge commercial success. His most notable collaborations are with actors Vijayakanth, Ramki, Khushbu, and with Urvashi on several occasions. In total he has directed fourteen feature films. His film Dancer , released in 2005, most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty, a highly talented and differently abled artist, won the National Award, three State Awards, and an award at the prestigious Canadian film festival.[ citation needed ] The film also had a special screening at the London Disability Arts Forum.[ citation needed ]

His involvement in film production includes producing and financing over forty films in various Indian Languages. While he was involved in film distribution he was also an exhibitor with twenty-eight theatres leased across: Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi; he also ran the Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai from 1984 to 1993.

He has played a role in some of the landmarks of Tamil cinema including: India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil and Telugu; Pesum Padam a movie without dialogue starring Kamalhassan; Maaveeran starring Rajinikanth; the first 70mm Tamil Film, Engalayum Vazha Vidungal a film which was notable for animals talking on screen; Spy Kids 3D using Anaglyph technology for the first time; [6] and Jai Vedalam the first film to be released in 3D in four languages.

He was elected president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) in 2013 and has worked on issues including title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers, and helping see through the release of delayed projects. [7] Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity and having actors participate in all promotional activities for their films.

KR has also written a book Idhuthaan Cinema (This is Cinema) in Tamil published in 2003. It details the nuances of cinema and predicts its future viewed from today. He has been an authority on cinema since the early 1980s giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.[ citation needed ]

KR worked at Raadaan Mediaworks as vice president.

Member and honorary positions

PostOrganisationNotes
Chairman of the JuryChennai International Film Festival - Tamil Feature Film CategoryDec 2022
PresidentTamil Film Producers' CouncilFrom 2013 – 2014
President South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce From 2000 – 2001
Jury Member National Film Awards 2001
Vice President South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce From 1985 – 2000 Several Occasions
Member South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce From 1985, representing Dispute Committee, Title Registration, Publicity Clearance, Property Development Committee, Management Committee of Cinema Centenary Club
Chair PersonNational Award Selection CommitteeFor "Wholesome Entertainment"
Chair PersonNational Award Selection CommitteeFor "Oscar Award" in the category of "Best Foreign Film Award"
General SecretarySouth Indian Film & TV Directors Association
Founder PresidentTamil Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 1987 – 1991
Founder, Permanent TrusteeTamil Film Producers' Welfare TrustFounded in 1994
Former PresidentMadras City, Chengai District Film Distributors Welfare AssociationFrom 1985 – 1988

He was one of the members of an eight-member advisory committee, which included several personalities from across the country, to advise the Honorable Union Minister in the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters pertaining to the Indian film industry in 2001.

He also served on the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1989 to study and submit a white paper on the state of the Tamil Film Industry.

Filmography

As director

YearFilmNotes
1980 Shishirathil Oru Vasantham Malayalam film; Also producer
1991 Eeramana Rojave Also producer
1994 Vanaja Girija
1995 Mayabazar
1996 Irattai Roja Remake of Telugu film Shubha Lagnam
Enakkoru Magan Pirappan Remake of Malayalam film Aadyathe Kanmani
Alexander
1997 Thaali Pudhusu Remake of Telugu film Aame
1998 Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara Remake of Malayalam film Kalyanji Anandji (film)
Dharma Remake of Hindi film Ziddi
Kumbakonam Gopalu Remake of Kannada film Gauri Ganesha
1999 Suyamvaram
2000 Kadhal Rojave Remake of Hindi film Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin
2005 Dancer Also producer; Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain & Best Producer

As distributor

YearFilmRoleLead Actors
ProducerDistributor
1981 Thillu Mullu YesStarring Rajinikanth
1981 Ram Lakshman YesStarring Kamalhassan
1981 Enga Ooru Kannagi YesStarring Saritha
1982Nenjil Oru RaagamYesStarring Saritha Thiagarajan
1982 Ranga YesStarring Rajinikanth
1982 Rani Theni YesStarring Kamalhassan as a Guest Role
1982 Payanangal Mudivathillai YesStarring Mohan
1982Deviyin ThiruvilayadalYesStarring Thiagarajan & K.R.Vijaya
1982Poi SatchiYesStarring Bhagyaraj
1982Naan Kudithu Konde IrrupenYesStarring K.R.Vijaya & Thengai Srinivasan
1983Thalaiyanai manthiramYesStarring Sulakshna & Pandiyan
1983Sashti VirathamYesStarring Sivakumar
1983 Thai Veedu YesStarring Rajinikanth
1984 Vaidehi Kathirunthal YesStarring Vijaykanth & Revathy
1984 Vazhkai YesStarring Sivaji Ganesan & Ambika
1984 My Dear Kuttichathan 3D YesIndia's first 3D film
1984 Nalla Naal YesStarring Vijaykanth & Thiagarajan
1984 Thambikku Entha Ooru YesStarring Rajinikanth & Madhavi
1984 Anbulla Rajinikanth YesStarring Rajinikanth
1984 Kuva Kuva Vaathugal YesStarring Sivakumar
1985Paadum VaanampadiYes
1985 Mard (Hindi film)YesDistribution rights South India & Remake rights Tamil
1985 Paadum Paravaigal YesDubbed version of Anveshana
1985 Japanil Kalyanaraman YesStarring Kamalhassan
1985 Aduthathu Albert YesStarring Prabhu
1985 Poove Poochooda Vaa YesStarring S.Ve.Shekhar, Padmini & Nadiya
1985 Avan YesStarring Arjun
1985 Anthasthu YesStarring Murali
1985 Padikkaatha Pannaiyar YesStarring Sivaji Ganesan
1985 Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri YesStarring Vijaykanth
1985 Sindhu Bhairavi YesStarring Sivakumar & Suhasini
1985Jai Vedalam 3DYesYesDubbed version of Jai Vedalam
1985 Kunguma Chimil YesStarring Mohan
1985Poo Ondru PuyalaanadhuYesDubbed version of Pratighatana
1986 Vikram YesStarring Kamalhassan
1986 Punnagai Mannan YesStarring Kamalhassan
1986 Mythili Ennai Kaathali YesStarring T.Rajendar
1986 Maaveeran YesFirst Tamil film in 70mm
1987 Chinna Poove Mella Pesu YesStarring Prabhu & Ramki
1987 Velaikaran YesStarring Rajinikanth
1987 Manathil Uruthi Vendum YesStarring Suhasini
1987 Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi YesStarring Visu
1987 Enga Ooru Pattukaran YesStarring Ramarajan
1987 Pesum Padam YesStarring Kamalhassan
1988 En Jeevan Paduthu YesStarring Karthik & Saranya
1988 Illam YesStarring Sivakumar & Amala
1988 Manamagale Vaa YesStarring Prabhu & Radhika
1988 Paravaigal Palavitham YesYesStarring Ramki & Nirosha
1989 Solaikuyil YesStarring Karthik & Ragini
1989 Maapillai YesStarring Rajinikanth
1992 Raasukutti YesStarring Bhagyaraj
1990 Michael Madana Kama Rajan YesStarring Kamalhassan
1990Pengal Veetin KangalYesStarring Visu
1991 Gunaa YesStarring Kamalhassan
1991 Thanthu Vitten Ennai YesStarring Vikram
1992 Aavarampoo YesYesStarring Vineeth
1992 Chinna Marumagal YesYesStarring Sivaji Ganesan
1994 Veera YesStarring Rajinikanth
2007 Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram Yes
2015 I Yesvia Global United Media
2015 Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka Yesvia Global United Media
2015 Baahubali Yesvia Global United Media (Tamil/ Malayalam/ Telugu)
2015 Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi Yesvia Global United Media
2015 Thoongavanam Yesvia Global United Media
2016 The Jungle Book Yesvia Global United Media
2016 Kammatipaadam Yesvia Global United Media
2016 Devi(L) Yesvia Global United Media
2017 Baahubali: The Conclusion Yesvia Global United Media
2017 Sherlock Toms Yesvia Global United Media
2017 Mersal Yesvia Global United Media
2018 K.G.F: Chapter 1 Yes KR Infotainment
2019 Yatra Yes KR Infotainment
2022Aayiram PorkasugalYes KR Infotainment

As actor

References

  1. 1 2 "டைரக்டர், தயாரிப்பாளர், தியேட்டர் அதிபர், விநியோகஸ்தர் 4 துறைகளில் சாதனை படைத்த 'கேயார்'எதிர் நீச்சல் போட்டு வெற்றி பெற்றார்". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  2. "Want to restore the honour and respect of TFPC: Kothandaramiah". The Times of India . 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  3. "Clean sweep for KR group in TFPC elections!". Sify . 8 September 2013. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  4. "Kollywood Director Kothanda Ramaiah Biography, News, Photos, Videos". Nettv4u. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  5. "சோதனைகளை வென்று 'மை டியர் குட்டிச்சாத்தான்' மகத்தான வெற்றி!". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  6. "Spy Kids with a difference". The Hindu . 16 March 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2014.[ dead link ]
  7. Tamilcinema24.com (1 January 1970). "Result of Tamil Nadu Producer council election – Result of Tamil Nadu Producer Council Election – Kr- Keyar- Thanu- Viay Team- Suriya Team". Tamilcinema24.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. Pondatti Thevai Movie : Thalapathi Dinesh, And Ashwini, Sentiment Scene. YouTube . Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.