R. Sundarrajan

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R. Sundarrajan
R. Sundarrajan at Ennodu Vaa En Maname Movie Launch.jpg
R. Sundarrajan in 2015
Born (1950-01-09) 9 January 1950 (age 74)
Dharapuram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India (present-day Tiruppur)
Occupation(s)Actor, director, writer
Years active1982–present
Spouse
Rajeshwari
​
(m. 1974)​
Durga
​
(m. 1982)​
Children3 (1 deceased)

R. Sundarrajan is an Indian film director, actor, comedian and writer for Tamil language films. Active primarily in the 1980s and the 1990s as a filmmaker, he appeared more often as an actor thereafter. [1] [2] [3] Sundarajan is known for his silver jubilee films such as Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982), Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), Rajadhi Raja (1989) and Thirumathi Palanisamy (1992). During his career as a director, he frequently collaborated with veteran actor Mohan.

Contents

He had directed over 25 films in his illustrious career and most of them became profitable ventures in the box office. [4] he worked as a co-director for Suyamvaram (1999) which had a team of 14 directors. He has shared screenspace with prominent actors including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Vijay and Suriya.

Career

He has served as an actor, filmmaker and a renowned director. He is very well appreciated and a name of honor in Tamil film industry. [5] He began his career as an actor in 1981, but he subsequently made his directorial debut a year after making his acting debut, with Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982). He collaborated with actor Mohan for his maiden directorial venture,Payanangal Mudivathillai and the film became a sleeper hit and ran for over 175 days in the box office. [6] [7] He furthered his collaboration with Mohan through films including Thoongatha Kannindru Ondru (1983), Saranalayam (1983), Naan Paadum Paadal (1984), Kunguma Chimil (1985) and Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu (1986). Apart from Thoongatha Kannindru Ondru, the other films were well received at the box office and became commercially successful. [8] [9]

Balu Anand served as Sundarrajan's assistant director for 35 years and there is a backstory of how Balu Anand became an assistant director of Sundarrajan. During the 1970s, Balu Anand who hailed from Coimbatore sought assistance by walking into R. Sundarrajan's office with the intention to secure a job for his livelihood. Sundarrajan initially hesitated to include Balu Anand with him as an assistant, but Balu Anand's determination literally impressed Sundarrajan. Balu Anand told Sundarrajan "Give me five rupees and I can eat for a day, give me a job in films and I can feed myself for a lifetime". [10]

He made his maiden collaboration with Vijayakanth through Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), which eventually became a turning point in Vijayakanth's acting career. [11] R. Sundarrajan convinced Vijayakanth to act in romantic film in a soft role and Vijayakanth agreed to play a "soft role" at a time when he starred in many action films and was branded an action hero. [12] It was through R. Sundarrajan, Vijayakanth changed his mind to commit to such a film genre, although it was not Vijayakanth's comfort zone. R. Sundarrajan then collaborated with his long-time assistant director Balu Anand to write screenplay for Balu Anand's debut directorial venture Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri (1985), which starred Captain Vijayakanth in the main lead role. [13]

He also join hands with Vijayakanth for his directorial venture Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986) and the film also became a box office success. Vijayakanth also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performances in Amman Kovil kizhakale and R. Sundarrajan once again brought out the soft lighter version of Vijayakanth through the film. [6] He was also one of the 14 directors who helped to direct the film Suyamvaram (1999), which was shot and filmed within 23 hours and 58 minutes. Suyamvaram set the Guinness World Record for casting the most stars in a film and also for being the quickest ever feature-length film made in the world.

He is also known for his humorous dialogue deliveries in films. One of his notable hilarious comedy scenes came in Surya Vamsam (1997), where he gives an empty paper to a trespasser and asks him to throw it as it is empty by saying there is nothing written on it. [4] [14] His handshake scene with Vadivelu in the film Kaalam Maari Pochu (1996), where Vadivelu was reportedly saying "kaiya kudu sagala" became a viral internet meme template and has been frequently used in social media platforms by users. [15]

Sundarrajan's last movie as director came in 2013 with Chithirayil Nilachoru . [16] He also regularly attends meetings of T. Nagar Humour Club which was launched in 2008. [17]

Personal life

Sundarrajan is married to his first wife Rajeshwari in 1974 and later married Durga. He has three sons: Ashok, Karthik and Deepak. Karthik died in 2004 in a road accident. [18] [19] Deepak made his directorial debut in 2021 with Annabelle Sethupathi . [20] Ashok acted in his father's directorial Chithirayil Nilachoru. [21]

Filmography

As director

YearFilmNotes
1982 Payanangal Mudivathillai
1982 Antha Rathirikku Satchi Illai
1983 Saranalayam
1983 Thoongatha Kannindru Ondru
1984 Naan Paadum Paadal
1984 Vaidehi Kathirunthal
1985 Sugamana Raagangal
1985 Kunguma Chimil
1986 Amman Kovil Kizhakale
1986 Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu
1986 Thazhuvatha Kaigal
1988 Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye
1988 En Jeevan Paduthu
1989 Rajadhi Raja
1990 Thalattu Padava
1990 Enkitta Mothathe
1991 Sami Potta Mudichu
1991 Oyilattam
1992 Thirumathi Palanisamy
1994 En Aasai Machan
1995 Gandhi Pirantha Mann
1995 Seethanam
1997 Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen
1999 Suyamvaram
2013 Chithirayil Nilachoru

As actor

Films

YearFilmRoleNotes
1981Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile
1991 Sami Potta Mudichu Also Director
1991 Oyilattam Aarumuga UdayarAlso Director
1992 Therku Theru Machan Paramasivan
1992 Bharathan Gangadharan's man
1992 Pattathu Raani Guest appearance
1992 Pondatti Rajyam
1992 Thirumathi Palanisamy Kunju GounderAlso Director
1993 Suriyan Chandiran
1993Madhumathi
1993 Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan
1993 Kattalai Natarajan
1993 Naan Pesa Ninaipathellam Sandhya's father
1993 Sakkarai Devan Appu
1993 Udan Pirappu
1993 Poranthalum Ambalaiya Porakka Koodathu Veerapaandi
1993 Rajadurai
1993 Enga Muthalali Narayana Reddy
1993 Purusha Lakshanam Rajgopal
1994 Amaidhi Padai
1994 Subramaniya Swamy Rathnasamy
1994 Rasa Magan Appachi
1994 Namma Annachi
1994 En Aasai Machan Also Director
1994 May Madham All in All
1994 Sathyavan Anjaneya
1994 Karuththamma School Teacher
1994 Veera Padhakkam
1995 Engirundho Vandhan Sundaram
1995 Karuppu Nila Sundaram
1995 Ellame En Rasathan
1995 Thirumoorthy Geetha's brother
1995 Chellakannu Nagarajan
1995Anbu Magan
1995 Marumagan Muniyandi
1995 Gandhi Pirantha Mann Also Director
1995 Raasaiyya Kili's cousin
1995 Mr. Madras Aruna's son
1995 Thaikulame Thaikulame
1995 Makkal Aatchi
1995 Seethanam GovindanAlso Director
1996 Amman Kovil Vaasalile
1996 Kaalam Maari Pochu Murugesan
1996Veetukkulle Thiruvizha
1996 Enakkoru Magan Pirappan Ranganayaki's husband
1997 Dharma Chakkaram Kannukku Pillai
1997 Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen GovindaAlso Director
1997 Gopura Deepam
1997 Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga Principal Venkatraman
1997 Mannava Eashwar's father
1997 Suryavamsam Sadhasivam
1997 Periya Idathu Mappillai Gopalakrishnan's father
1997 Kalyana Vaibhogam Ganesan
1997 Janakiraman Janakiraman's uncle
1998 Marumalarchi Mesthiri, Rasu Padayachi's uncle
1998 Kondattam Bhaskaran
1998 Ini Ellam Sugame Mani
1998 Santhosham
1998 Veera Thalattu
1998 Ninaithen Vandhai Savithri's uncle
1998 Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi Arumugam
1998 Natpukkaga Kannukku Pillai
1998 Kalyana Galatta
1998 En Aasai Rasave
1998 Senthooram Sadayappan
1998 Ponmaanai Thedi Chinna Paiyan
1999 Mannavaru Chinnavaru Minor Rajamani
1999 Chinna Durai
1999 Annan Sundari’s father
1999 Periyanna
1999 Suyamvaram One of the 14 Directors
1999 Simmarasi
1999 Minsara Kanna Inspector Shiva Kumar
1999 Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa
1999 Paattali Kaalaiyan
2000 Vallarasu Raheem's brother
2000 Simmasanam Kannamma's father
2000 Unnai Kann Theduthey
2001 En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri Maheswari's father
2001 Sigamani Ramamani Neelakandan, Sigamani's father
2001 Viswanathan Ramamoorthy Ramamoorthy's father
2001 Kabadi Kabadi Arumugam
2002 Unnai Ninaithu Chittoor Chinnamani
2002 Namma Veetu Kalyanam
2002 Game
2003 Anbu Thollai Devarajan
2003 Priyamaana Thozhi Ashok's father
2003Vani Mahal
2004 Enakku 20 Unakku 18 Train Passenger (Guest Appearance)
2005 Kaatrullavarai Kannukku Pillai
2005 Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy Elangovan's father-in-law
2006 Thirupathi Thirupathi's father
2007 Ennai Paar Yogam Varum Anandaraman
2008 Thodakkam
2008 Kuselan Srinivasan
2008 Kathanayakudu Telugu film
2008 Dasavathaaram Member of Legislative Assembly
2009 Oru Kadhalan Oru Kadhali
2010 Ambasamudram Ambani
2010 Kaadhal Solla Vandhen Nanu Prabhu's father
2010 Aattanayagann Lingam
2011En Ullam Unnai Theduthey
2012 Kandathum Kanathathum
2013 Chandhamama Chief Editor
2013 Chithirayil Nilachoru SundaramAlso Director
2014 Poojai Temple Trustee
2014 Lingaa Sambandham
2015 Naanum Rowdydhaan Ghilli's advisor
2015 Oru Naal Iravil Film director
2017Saaya
2018Kilambitaangayaa Kilambitaangayaa
2018 Tamizh Padam 2 Bharath
2018 Pattinapakkam
2019 Pettikadai
2019 Perazhagi ISO
2020Ooratchi Ondriyam
2021 Calls Security Alagar
2021Boom Boom Kaalai
2021 Michaelpatty Raja Raja's father
2021 Namma Oorukku Ennadhan Achu
2021Chinna Pannai Periya Pannai
2022Paruva Kadhal
2023 Unnaal Ennaal
2023 80s Buildup Kathir’s grandfather
2023Moothakudi
2024Vaa Pagandaya
2024Vidinja Enakku Kalyanam

Television

YearTitleRoleChannel
2018–2019 Kalyanamam Kalyanam Kamali's grandfather Star Vijay
2018–2020 Kalyana Veedu Kathiresan Sun TV
2023–Present Siragadikka Aasai Annamalai Star Vijay

As writer only

YearFilmNotes
1986Poove Ilam Poove
1986 Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri
1987 Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai

As lyricist

YearFilmSongsNotes
1995Gandhi Pirandhha Mann"Aalamarathula", "Gandhi Endru", "Ottagathil Nee", "Thalaiva Naan"
1995Seethanamall songs
1997Kaalamellam Kaathiruppenall songs

As singer

YearFilmSongsComposerNotes
1998 Senthooram "Adi Unna Kaanama"Ilayaraja

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References

  1. ↑ "Successive hits - Who gave the most in Tamil cinema? | R Sundarrajan". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  2. ↑ "From Visu to Samuthirakani: Kollywood's director turned actors". The News Minute . 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  3. ↑ S, Bala (21 August 2023). "ஆர் சுந்தர்ராஜன் இத்தனை படங்கள் இயக்கியுள்ளாரா? அதில் ஒன்று ரஜினி படம்..!". Tamil Minutes (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  4. 1 2 "#UnforgettableOnes: Multi-hyphenate R Sundarrajan". The Times of India. 9 February 2022. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "R. Sundarrajan". Nettv4u. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  6. 1 2 Jayabalan, Suriyakumar. "R.Sundarrajan: விடாமுயற்சியால் வெள்ளிவிழா படங்களை கொடுத்த நாயகன்". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  7. ↑ மலர், மாலை (1 June 2016). "டைரக்டராக ஆர்.சுந்தர்ராஜன் அறிமுகம்". www.maalaimalar.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "மைக் மோகனை வைத்து ஆர் சுந்தர்ராஜன் ஹிட் அடித்த 5 படங்கள்.. வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட பயணங்கள் முடிவதில்லை". March 2023.
  9. ↑ "Tamil Film Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu Completes 37 Years Of Its Release". News18. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  10. ↑ Shenoy, Sonali (4 June 2016). "Hunger for good cinema was Balu's script for success". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  11. ↑ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (31 May 2018). "The Ilayaraaja interview: the maestro narrates how his songs inspired the story of Vaidehi Kaathirunthaal". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. ↑ கண்ணன், சுரேஷ் (4 May 2023). "வைதேகி காத்திருந்தாள்: ஆக்ஷன் ஹீரோ விஜயகாந்த் 'வெள்ளைச்சாமி'யான கதை - ஒரு நாஸ்டால்ஜியா பார்வை!". Vikatan (in Tamil). Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  13. ↑ Exclusive Interview with Film Director And Actor Balu Ananth, 19 September 2015, retrieved 15 January 2024
  14. ↑ Sundarrajan Comedy, 7 September 2018, retrieved 15 January 2024
  15. ↑ "HBDVadivelu: Netizens soar social media with his memes". indiaherald.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "Shocking rumour about R. Sundarrajan clarified". IndiaGlitz. 29 February 2020. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  17. ↑ Swaminathan, T. S. Atul (21 July 2017). "The roots go deeper". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  18. ↑ "Film director's son killed in accident". The Hindu . 6 March 2004. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  19. ↑ "Director's son dies in a road accident". Cinesouth. 6 March 2004. Archived from the original on 8 March 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Entertainment for everyone: 'Annabelle Sethupathi' director Deepak Sundarrajan's vision for future films". The New Indian Express . 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  21. ↑ "Chithirayil Nilachoru Movie Review". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
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