R. Velraj

Last updated

R. Velraj
Born
Rajamani Velraj

(1969-10-21) 21 October 1969 (age 55)
Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality Indian
Occupations
Years active2003-present
Notable work Aadukalam (2011)
ParentS Rajamani [1]

Rajamani Velraj, also professionally known as R. Velraj and Velraj, is an Indian cinematographer, director and writer who primarily works in Tamil and Hindi cinema. He is known for his long-standing collaborations with Vetrimaaran and M. Muthaiah. [2]

Contents

Personal life

Rajamani Velraj was born in the village Kootthiyar Kundu near Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He went to PKN Boys Higher Secondary School (Tirumangalam), and studied at Madurai Sourastra College. [2]

Career

Early in his career, he worked as an assistant to cinematographer Tirru in several Tamil films. After working with actor Dhanush in Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram , Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film, Polladhavan , directed by then debutant, Vetrimaaran. He won the Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer in 2008. [3] Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, from Aadukalam to their most recent film, Viduthalai Part 1 (2023). He made his directional debut with Velaiilla Pattadhari , starring Dhanush and Amala Paul and with Anirudh as the music director. The film was extremely successful and became a cult film. In 2015, he directed his second film, Thanga Magan . Velraj is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers. [4]

Filmography

As cinematographer

YearTitleLanguageNotes
2002 23rd March 1931: Shaheed HindiRa Operator
2003 Supari Hindi
2006 Phir Hera Pheri Hindi
2007 Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram Tamil
Polladhavan TamilWinner, Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer [5]
2008Kabhi Bhi Kahin BhiHindi
Malabar Wedding Malayalam
2010 Kandahar MalayalamCollaborated with Ravi Varman
2011 Aadukalam TamilWinner, Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil
Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer

(Cameo appearance) [5]

Siruthai Tamil [2]
Engeyum Eppodhum TamilWinner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer [6]
2012 3 Tamil [2]
Savaari Kannada
Leelai Tamil
2013 Naan Rajavaga Pogiren Tamil
Ethir Neechal Tamil
Udhayam NH4 Tamil [7]
Naiyaandi Tamil [8]
2014 Velaiyilla Pattathari TamilDirector (Cameo appearance) [9]
Poriyaalan Tamil(Cameo appearance)
2015 Komban Tamil(Cameo appearance)
Vai Raja Vai Tamil [10]
Paayum Puli Tamil(Cameo appearance)
Thanga Magan TamilDirector (Cameo appearance) [11]
2016 Pugazh Tamil(Cameo appearance) [12]
Marudhu Tamil
2017 Power Paandi Tamil(Cameo appearance) [13]
2018 Kadaikutty Singam Tamil(Cameo appearance)
Vada Chennai Tamil(Cameo appearance) [14]
2019 Dev Tamil
Asuran Tamil(Cameo appearance) [15]
Sangathamizhan Tamil
2021 Pulikkuthi Pandi Tamil [16]
Udanpirappe Tamil [17]
2022 Veerapandiyapuram Tamil [18]
The Legend Tamil [19]
Anel Meley Pani Thuli Tamil [20]
Pettaikaali TamilTV series on Aha Tamil [21]
Kuttram Kuttrame Tamil [22]
2023 Viduthalai Part 1 Tamil [23]
Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam Tamil
2024 Viduthalai Part 2 Tamil

As director

YearTitleLanguageNotes
2014 Velaiilla Pattadhari TamilWinner, Edison Award for Best Debut Director
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil
Cameo as Traffic Police
2015 Thanga Magan TamilCameo as Ramalingam

As actor

Awards

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References

  1. ↑ The Times of India (5 July 2020). "Cinematographer-director Velraj's father passes away" . Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Cinema cinema!". The Hindu. 31 July 2014. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ↑ "A reluctant director". The Hindu. 19 July 2014. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Acclaimed cinematographer Velraj gets the prestigious ISC recognition". www.zoomtventertainment.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. 1 2 Kumar, Pradeep (16 February 2019). "The Usual Suspects: Dhanush, Vetrimaaran and R Velraj". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "Engeyum Eppodhum". Deccan Herald. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "NH4: Take this route". The Hindu. 20 April 2013. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "Dhanush Helped With Script, Says Vellai Illa Pattathari Director". NDTV.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "A reluctant director". The Hindu. 19 July 2014. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  10. ↑ "'Vai Raja Vai' gearing up for April 24". The Times of India. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  11. ↑ ""It was all Dhanush"". The Hindu. 19 December 2015. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Surbhi: My role in Pugazh a reflection of my real self | India.com". www.india.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  13. ↑ "Dhanush Tweets First Look of Power Paandi, His Debut as Director". NDTV.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Blow for Dhanush's Vada Chennai: Amala Paul exits after Vijay Sethupathi". Hindustan Times. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  15. ↑ Kumar, Pradeep (16 February 2019). "The Usual Suspects: Dhanush, Vetrimaaran and R Velraj". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "'புலிக்குத்தி பாண்டி' ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் வெளியீடு". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  17. ↑ The Hindu Net Desk (5 October 2021). "Jyotika: 'Udanpirappe is special, as it shows the strength of a woman's silence'". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  18. ↑ "Veerapandiyapuram Movie Review: An uninventive, dull revenge drama". Cinema Express . Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  19. ↑ "The Legend gets U/A certficate". Cinema Express . Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Sudevan, Praveen (18 November 2022). "'Anel Meley Pani Thuli' movie review: Andrea excels in a gritty crime drama about sexual assault". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  21. ↑ IANS. "Vetri Maaran's Jallikattu-Based Series 'Pettaikaali' To Stream From Diwali". Outlook India. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  22. ↑ "Kuttram Kuttrame Movie Review: Jai, Harish Uthaman shine in Susienthiran's return to form". Cinema Express . Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "Vijay Sethupathi begins dubbing for Viduthalai". OTTPlay. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  24. ↑ "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South)". The Times of India . 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 July 2013.
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