R. Sundarrajan | |
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![]() R. Sundarrajan in 2015 | |
Born | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, director, writer |
Years active | 1982–present |
Spouse | Rajeshwari (m. 1974)Durga (m. 1982) |
Children | 3 (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.
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.
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]
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]
Year | Film | Notes |
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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 |
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1981 | Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile | ||
1991 | Sami Potta Mudichu | Also Director | |
1991 | Oyilaattam | Aarumuga Udayar | Also Director |
1992 | Therku Theru Machan | Paramasivan | |
1992 | Bharathan | Gangadharan's man | |
1992 | Pattathu Raani | Guest appearance | |
1992 | Pondatti Rajyam | ||
1992 | Thirumathi Palanisamy | Kunju Gounder | Also Director |
1993 | Suriyan Chandiran | ||
1993 | Madhumathi | ||
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 | |
1995 | Anbu 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 | Govindan | Also Director |
1996 | Amman Kovil Vaasalile | ||
1996 | Kaalam Maari Pochu | Murugesan | |
1996 | Veetukkulle Thiruvizha | ||
1996 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Ranganayaki's husband | |
1997 | Dharma Chakkaram | Kannukku Pillai | |
1997 | Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen | Govinda | Also 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 | |
2003 | Vani 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 | [22] | |
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 | |
2011 | En Ullam Unnai Theduthey | ||
2012 | Kandathum Kanathathum | ||
2013 | Chandhamama | Chief Editor | |
2013 | Chithirayil Nilachoru | Sundaram | Also Director |
2014 | Poojai | Temple Trustee | |
2014 | Lingaa | Sambandham | |
2015 | Naanum Rowdydhaan | Ghilli's advisor | |
2015 | Oru Naal Iravil | Film director | |
2017 | Saaya | ||
2018 | Kilambitaangayaa Kilambitaangayaa | ||
2018 | Tamizh Padam 2 | Bharath | |
2018 | Pattinapakkam | ||
2019 | Pettikadai | ||
2019 | Perazhagi ISO | ||
2020 | Ooratchi Ondriyam | ||
2021 | Calls | Security Alagar | |
2021 | Boom Boom Kaalai | ||
2021 | Michaelpatty Raja | Raja's father | |
2021 | Namma Oorukku Ennadhan Achu | ||
2021 | Chinna Pannai Periya Pannai | ||
2022 | Paruva Kadhal | ||
2023 | Unnaal Ennaal | ||
2023 | 80s Buildup | Kathir’s grandfather | |
2023 | Moothakudi | ||
2024 | Vaa Pagandaya |
Year | Title | Role | Channel |
---|---|---|---|
2018–2019 | Kalyanamam Kalyanam | Kamali's grandfather | Star Vijay |
2018–2020 | Kalyana Veedu | Kathiresan | Sun TV |
2023–Present | Siragadikka Aasai | Annamalai | Star Vijay |
Year | Film | Notes |
---|---|---|
1986 | Poove Ilam Poove | |
1986 | Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri | |
1987 | Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai | |
Year | Film | Songs | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | Gandhi Pirandhha Mann | "Aalamarathula", "Gandhi Endru", "Ottagathil Nee", "Thalaiva Naan" | |
1995 | Seethanam | all songs | |
1997 | Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen | all songs | |
Year | Film | Songs | Composer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Senthooram | "Adi Unna Kaanama" | Ilayaraja | |
Suyamvaram is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film starring an ensemble cast of actors in the Tamil film industry and shot by a large technical team from the industry. The film was planned by Giridharilal Nagpal who produced and wrote the film's story and brought together 14 major directors, 19 cinematographers and over 30 leading actors in the Tamil film industry.
The Filmfare Best Actor Award is given by the Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil film lead actors. The Filmfare Awards South Awards were extended to "Best Actor" in 1972. The year indicates the year of release of the film.
Mohan is an Indian actor, known for his works predominantly in Tamil cinema, and some Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films. He is also known as "Kokila Mohan" after his debut film Kokila (1977), and "Mic Mohan" from numerous roles playing singers using microphones. In 1982, he received the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor for his work in Payanangal Mudivathillai.
The Filmfare Best Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil (Kollywood) films. The awards were extended to "Best Director" in 1972.
Rajadhi Raja is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language masala film directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Rajinikanth in a dual role, with Nadhiya and Radha portraying his characters' love interests. It revolves around Raja, a rich estate owner's son who seeks to avenge his father's death. He is aided in his quest by Chinnarasu, a lookalike. Rajadhi Raja was released on 4 March 1989 and became a box office hit.
Amman Kovil Kizhakale is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan, starring Vijayakanth and Radha. It was released on 24 April 1986, and emerged a commercial success. Vijayakanth also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. It was remade into Telugu as Khaidi No. 786 (1988) and Kannada as Nammoora Hammera (1990).
Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical film, written and directed by R. Sundarrajan, starring Mohan, Radha and Amala. It was released on 12 September 1986 and became a commercial success.
Ratha Kanneer is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju, and written by Tiruvarur K. Thangaraj. Based on Thangaraj's play of the same name, the film stars M. R. Radha, Sriranjani and S. S. Rajendran, with Chandrababu, M. N. Rajam and S. R. Janaki in supporting roles. It revolves around a returned-from-abroad, westernised rich man who shows arrogance and contempt towards anything part of Indian culture and anyone below his social standards.
Vaidehi Kathirunthal is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Vijayakanth and Revathi as two villagers, Vellaisamy and Vaidehi, whose lives undergo a drastic turn when they meet. They discover that they must join forces to save a young couple from the wrath of the other villagers.
Payanangal Mudivathillai is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Mohan and Poornima Jayaram, with Rajini, S. Ve. Shekher, Poornam Viswanathan, Rajesh and Goundamani in supporting roles. Its plot revolves around a woman who falls in love with a singer whom she helped to rise to fame but struggles to declare her love for him.
Tamizh Selvan is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language political drama film directed by Bharathiraja from a story by M. Rathnakumar. The films stars Vijayakanth and Roja. It was released on 2 August 1996, and failed at the box office.
En Aasai Machan is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Murali, Revathi and Ranjitha. It was released on 26 August 1994.
Ulavuthurai is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Ramesh Selvan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Meena and Sanghavi, with Radha Ravi, Janagaraj, Carlos, Jassi Singh, and Hemanth Ravan, among others, play supporting roles. It was released on 14 January 1998, and failed at the box office.
Seethanam ( transl. Dowry) is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language crime film directed by R. Sundarrajan and produced by T. Siva. The film stars Prabhu, Sangita and Ranjitha. It was released on 24 November 1995.
Gandhi Pirantha Mann is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Revathi, and Ravali. It was released on 22 July 1995. The film was a box office failure.
Enkitta Mothathe is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language romantic action drama film, directed by R. Sundarrajan and produced by Raajeshwari Sundarrajan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Shobana and Khushbu. It was released on 14 September 1990, and failed at the box office.
Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film, directed by Balu Anand and produced by Thooyavan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Radhika and Jeevitha. It was released on 6 July 1985. The film was remade in Telugu as Nene Raju Nene Mantri (1987).
Balu Anand was an Indian actor and director who worked in Tamil-language films (Kollywood). He appeared in over 100 films as an actor and directed several films, such as Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri, Annanagar Mudhal Theru and Unakkaga Piranthen.
Thoongatha Kannindru Ondru is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Mohan and Ambika. It was released on 4 February 1983.
The soundtrack for the 1982 Tamil-language film Payanangal Mudivathillai featured seven songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, written by Vairamuthu, Gangai Amaran and Muthulingam and performed by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The film, directed by R. Sundarrajan and produced by Kovaithambi of Motherland Pictures—marking their maiden film for Sundarrajan and Kovaithambi as director and producer—stars Mohan and Poornima Jayaram. It was released on Ilaiyaraaja's label Echo Records in LP records and cassettes.