Shaji Chen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, actor |
Shaji Chen (also credited as Shaji and Shaji Chennai [1] ) is an Indian writer and actor. Shaji's main area of writing is music and cinema related. Shaji writes in Tamil, Malayalam, English languages and acts in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films.
As a writer he is known for his music and film related write-ups and autobiographical articles. His various articles have been published in The Hindu, [2] Times of India, India Today, AV Max, Ananda Vikatan, [3] The Hindu Tamil, [4] Uyirmmai, [5] Kalachuvadu, [6] Theeranadhi, Vikatan Thadam, Kaalam, Kumkumam, Puthiya Thalaimurai, Sunday Indian, Andhimazhai, Padachurul, Bhashaposhini, Mathrubhumi Azhchappathippu, Madhyamam Weekly, Chandrika Weekly, Kalakaumudi, Malayalam Vaarika, [7] [8] Mangalam Daily, Mangalam Annual, [9] Deepika Daily and others.
His articles in the series Music Beyond Words were translated to Tamil by Tamil writer Jeyamohan as Sollil Adangaatha Isai. Published in the Tamil literary magazine Uyirmmai, this was a popular column in the Tamil serious literature. Another Tamil writer S. Ramakrishnan has also translated many of Shaji's articles to Tamil. After the first few years of these translations, Shaji started writing directly in Tamil. In 2016 a complete collection of his music-related articles was published by Vikatan Publications. [10] [11] In the 2023 Chennai Book Fair an updated and improved collection of his music-related articles published by Discovery Books. Director Mani Ratnam, Director Mysskin, Director Vasanth, Director Seenu Ramasamy, Director Vasanthabalan and Actor composer G. V. Prakash Kumar introduced and endorsed the book.
His column named Paattinappuram (Beyond the Song), was published in the Malayalam weekly Chandrika. His first Book in Malayalam, 'Paattalla Sangeetham', was released [12] by Malayalam publisher Green Books. [13] Many of his Malayalam articles are published in the notable literary magazine of Malayalam, Bhashaposhini [14] [15] [16] and his article series named Cinema Bhraanthinte Naalpathu Varshangal (40 Years of Cinema Craze) was published therein for one year in 2017–18. Portions from this series were also published as shorter chapters in Malayala Manorama Online. [17] In 2019 October, Matrubhumi Books published this series as a book [18] and it went on to be a best seller [19] in the first week of the publication itself.
As a music critic, Shaji appeared in national dailies such as Times of India, The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle, New Indian Express, [20] [21] and others. His monthly column in Tamil 'Cinema Veriyin 40 Aandukal' [22] ' was published in Vikatan Thadam Magazine. The last 2 chapters of the same were published in Andhimazhai Magazine. His columns in Tamil, Mullarumbu Marangal in Andhimazhai monthly and Isaiyezhuthu in Uyirmai monthly are well known. In Malayalam, the web magazine Truecopythink publishes most of his writings from 2020. [23]
Shaji has also worked in the advertising industry for many years providing storylines, scripts, jingle lyrics, and translations and he also acted in some advertisements. He has written many advertisement films and ad campaigns. [24] [25] He worked for brands such as South Indian Bank, [24] Muthoot Fincorp, Nippo [25]
| Title | Language |
|---|---|
| Sollil Adangaatha Isai (Music Beyond Words) [26] | Tamil |
| Isaiyin Thanimai (The Music of Solitude) [27] | Tamil |
| Isaiyin Oliyil (In The Light of Music) [28] | Tamil |
| Isai Thirai Vaazhkai (Music, Movies and Life) [29] | Tamil |
| Shaji Isai Katturaikal Muzhuththokuppu (Shaji Writings on Music Complete Collection) [30] | Tamil |
| Paattalla Sangeetham (Music is not Mere Songs) [31] | Malayalam |
| Cinema Praanthinte 40 Varshangal (40 Years of Cinema Craze) [32] | Malayalam |
| Cinema VeRiyin 40 Aandugal (40 Years of Cinema Craze) [33] | Tamil |
| Thirumbi Paarkaiyil (When I Look Back) [34] | Tamil |
| Shaji Isai Katturaikal Muzhuththokuppu (Improved Edition) [35] | Tamil |
In September 2013 Shaji Chen acted in the acclaimed Tamil film Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum [36] (A Wolf and a Lamb) directed by Mysskin, as the pivotal character CBCID Lal. Then he acted in the Tamil film Maan Karate as the boxing coach of the hero, Sivakarthikeyan. [37] Aaranyam [38] [39] was his next Tamil film. He made his Malayalam film debut with the Vineeth Sreenivasan film Aby . [40] Thupparivalan [41] (Tamil) / Detective (Telugu)/ Dashing Detective (Hindi) directed by Mysskin, Spyder (Telugu &Tamil) [42] directed by A R Murugadoss and Savarakathi written and produced by Mysskin followed. In Thupparivalan he acted as the crucial character ACP Vijayakumar. This film was later dubbed into Telugu as Detective and to Hindi as Dashing Detective. In the film Spyder, he portrayed the role of Intelligence Bureau Head, Mathews. In Savarakathi he played the cameo of a mentally ill person. In Kanne Kalaimaane directed by Seenu Ramasamy he played the role of Bank Manager Mathrubhootham. In Iruttu directed by V. Z. Durai he played the role of a Muslim sage living in a forest graveyard. In Psycho directed by Mysskin he played the part of the father of the heroine acted by Aditi Rao Hydari. In Doctor directed by Nelson Dilipkumar Shaji played a two scene cameo as a distressed metro train driver. [43] In the Vijay starrer movie Beast directed by Nelson Dilipkumar he acted as the scheming Home Minister. [43] In Maamanithan directed by Seenu Ramasamy Shaji acted as the real estate fraudster Mathavan. in Cobra (2022) directed by R. Ajay Gnanamuthu Shaji did the short cameo of the father of one of the heroines played by Mirnalini Ravi. In Raavana Kottam directed by Vikram Sukumaran, Shaji acted as the judicious district collector. In Thalaimai Seyalagam Web Series on Zee5 [44] directed by Vasanthabalan Shaji acted as the scheming political power broker Krishnaswamy. In Hit List [45] directed by Soorya Kathir Kakkallar & K Karthikeyan, Shaji did the cameo of a North Indian business tycoon who gets killed on the road while driving his car. In the Rajinikanth starrer Vettaiyan , directed by T. J. Gnanavel, Shaji Chen played the character of Chennai City Police Commissioner.
His upcoming films include Chera (Malayalam) directed by Lijin Jose, Blackmail [46] directed by Mu.Maran, and Train directed by Mysskin.
Shaji Chen is the Trustee in South India for the Salil Chowdhury Foundation of Music formed in the name of the notable composer of Indian popular music. [48] He also represents Ritwik Ghatak Memorial Trust [49] in South India. [50] [51] He has also been the Judge of Sujatha Ilakkiya Viruthu, a Tamil literary award instituted in the name of the Tamil writer Sujatha. [52] Shaji Chen is an advocate of informal education for children and the rights of special children. [53] He is also a supporter of sustainable nature farming and native food culture. [54] [55]
Shaji Chen was born [56] in Kattappana, Idukki District, Kerala. He lives in Chennai with his wife and daughter. [57]
Malayalam cinema is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Malayalam language, which is widely spoken in the state of Kerala and Lakshadweep islands of India. Malayalam cinema includes the commercial film industry, sometimes known as Mollywood, as well as independent cinema made in Malayalam. According to recent trends and critical acclaim, the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood) is often considered the "best" film industry in India, known for its high quality storytelling, strong performances, and focus on social issues, even though the largest film industry in terms of viewership remains Bollywood
Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian playback singer and musician who sings Indian classical, devotional and film songs. He is widely considered one of the greatest singers in the history of Indian music and a cultural icon of Kerala. Yesudas is estimated to have recorded more than 50,000 songs in various Indian languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Tulu, Hindi, Odia, Bengali, Marathi as well as Arabic, English, Latin, and Russian, in a career spanning six decades. He is often referred to as Gaanagandharvan. Yesudas holds the record for singing 11 songs in different languages in a single day. He has also composed a number of Malayalam film songs during the 1970s and 1980s.
Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail, known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam-language films. He has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English-language productions. In a career spanning five decades, he has appeared in more than 420 films, predominantly in lead roles. He is the recipient of several accolades, including three National Film Awards, eleven Kerala State Film Awards, eleven Kerala Film Critics Awards and fifteen Filmfare Awards South. He was honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India in 1998, for his contributions to cinema. He was also honored with the Kerala Prabha Award by the Government of Kerala in 2022. Mammootty was named as one of "the men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema" by CNN.
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films. She gained prominence after winning the 1999 Miss Chennai pageant, which marked her entry into Cinema. Often referred to as the "Queen of South India", Trisha has received numerous accolades, including five Filmfare Award South, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award, one Nandi Award and eight SIIMA Awards.
Ramanathan Sarathkumar is an Indian actor, politician and former bodybuilder who works predominantly in Tamil cinema in addition to Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films. He has acted in more than 150 films and won two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South.
Sunil Kumar, known by his stage name Narain, is an Indian actor, who has starred in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. He made his debut in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Nizhalkuthu (2002), followed by performances in Malayalam films 4 the People (2004), Achuvinte Amma (2005), and Classmates (2006). Narain's Tamil and Telugu debuts were in Mysskin's Chithiram Pesuthadi (2006) and Jayaraj's Yuvasena (2004).
Vinay Rai is an Indian actor who primarily appears in Tamil films apart from a few Telugu and Malayalam films. He is best known for his performance in the films Unnale Unnale (2007), Jayamkondaan (2008), Endrendrum Punnagai (2013) and Aranmanai (2014). He turned villain in Thupparivaalan (2017) and has played negative roles in several films including Doctor (2021), Etharkkum Thunindhavan (2022), Oh My Dog (2022) Christopher (2023), Veeran (2023), Gandeevadhari Arjuna (2023), Hanu-Man (2024), and Identity (2025).
Vishal Krishna Reddy, professionally known as Vishal, is an Indian actor and film producer who works in Tamil cinema. He also produces films under his production company, Vishal Film Factory. Vishal was conferred with the Kalaimamani award in 2006, for his contributions to Tamil cinema.
Peter Hein is an Indian action choreographer and stunt coordinator known for his work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films. He is known for choreographing action sequences in films such as Anniyan (2005), Athadu (2005), Chatrapathi (2005), Sivaji (2007), Ghajini (2008), Magadheera (2009), Enthiran (2010), 7aum Arivu (2011), Baahubali, Pulimurugan (2016), and Kalki 2898 AD (2024).
Mugamoodi, subtitled onscreen as The Superhero Within, is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language superhero film directed by Mysskin and produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur. The film, which is dedicated to Bruce Lee, stars Jiiva, alongside Narain, Pooja Hegde, Nassar, Selva and Girish Karnad. In the film, Anand alias Bruce Lee, a martial artist, wears a superhero costume in order to impress his girlfriend Shakthi, but Anand gets framed for his friend Viji's death and sets out to prove his innocence by becoming a real superhero called Mugamoodi.
Cinema of South India, refers to the cinema of the four major film industries in South India; primarily engaged in making feature films in the four major languages of the region, namely — Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. They are often colloquially referred to as Tollywood, Kollywood, Sandalwood and Mollywood, respectively.
Divya Venkatasubramaniam Iyer better known by her stage name Kaniha, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema along with a few Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies. Kaniha made her debut in the 2002 Tamil film Five Star.
Chithra was an Indian actress best known for her work in Malayalam and Tamil films. She had acted in more than 100 films. She acted along with Prem Nazir and Mohanlal in her first film Aattakalasam in 1983. She was nicknamed "Nallennai Chithra" because of the fame she attained with the advertisement of an oil company she had acted in.
Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan is an Indian actor, who works in the Tamil film industry along with few Malayalam films. He has collaborated with directors Mysskin and Pa. Ranjith, with whom he worked in Madras (2014) for which he received acclaim for his performance.
Oru Vadakkan Selfie is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language road-comedy film directed by G. Prajith and scripted by Vineeth Sreenivasan. The film features Nivin Pauly, Manjima Mohan, Aju Varghese, Neeraj Madhav, and Vineeth Sreenivasan. The music was composed by Shaan Rahman. It was released on 27 March to positive reviews, and became one of the biggest grossing Malayalam films of the year. Some news media and the Kerala Film Producers Association called it the first successful Malayalam film of 2015. This movie marks the debut of Manjima Mohan as an actress in a Malayalam movie. Earlier, she appeared as a child artist in films, including Priyam and Sundara Purushan. The film was remade in Telugu as Meda Meeda Abbayi. The 2017 Bengali movie Bolo Dugga Maiki was partially based on this movie.
Anu Emmanuel is an American actress of Indian descent who primarily works in Telugu films along with Tamil and Malayalam films. Emmanuel is a recipient of a Producers Guild Film Award.
Thupparivaalan (transl. Detective) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Mysskin, and produced by Vishal, who also enacts in the lead role with Prasanna. The film also features Vinay Rai, Anu Emmanuel, Andrea Jeremiah and K. Bhagyaraj. It is loosely inspired by Sherlock Holmes, British writer Arthur Conan Doyle's detective character. The film follows Kaniyan, a private detective, and his associate Manohar, who investigates the death of a kid's pet dog which leads to a bigger criminal. The film was launched in March 2016, and released on 14 September 2017.
Spyder is a 2017 Indian action thriller film written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss and produced by N. V. Prasad. The film was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil languages, and stars Mahesh Babu, S. J. Suryah and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead roles. Murugadoss wrote the Tamil dialogue while the Paruchuri Brothers wrote the Telugu version. The film was edited by A. Sreekar Prasad, with cinematography by Santosh Sivan and music by Harris Jayaraj.
Thamizhachi Thangapandian, also known as Sumathy, is an Indian Tamil poet, lyricist, orator, politician and writer. She was elected to the Lok Sabha, lower house of the Parliament of India, from Chennai South constituency in the 2019 Indian general election as a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. She worked as a lecturer in English at Queen Mary's College, Chennai before entering politics.
Train is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Mysskin. The film is produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu under V. Creations. It stars Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role.
