 |
V. Z. Durai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Right Eye Theatres |
V. Z. Durai is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry. [1]
|
V. Z. Durai | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Right Eye Theatres |
V. Z. Durai is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry. [1]
Durai eventually approached S. S. Chakravarthy to make the film Mugavaree (2000) with Ajith Kumar. As Durai had no prior experience working with film, Chakravarthy contributed significantly to shooting and editing, while also helping sign the actor Jyothika in the film, which turned out to be a blockbuster. [2] [3] Prior to the release of the film, Ajith, who has happy with the final product, gifted a car to Durai. Mugavaree ran for 100 days in cinemas. [4] The success of the film led to the Durai and Kumar to make another film together featuring co-stars R. Madhavan and Vikram. However, they later scrapped and dropped the film. The production company for Mugavaree later offered for Durai to direct the film Kadhal Sadugudu featuring Vikram and Priyanka Trivedi, Which did not gross that well.
In 2005, Durai directed the gangster film Thotti Jaya starring Silambarasan and Gopika. This film was a blockbuster at box office. Thotti Jaya Over the years became a cult classic and even after 15years it was celebrated by fans and media. It was Silambarasan's First gangster venture, A Sequel to this is much anticipated. Durai's fourth film was Nepali , starring Bharath and Meera Jasmine. According to critics, this film turned out to be very different from Durai's usual productions and despite mixed reviews it grossed well
After Nepali, Durai took a five-year hiatus from directing movies and instead directed advertisements and focusing more on his international constructions and Ad Film Company. After the hiatus, he directed 6 , which cast actors Shaam and Poonam Kaur.The film received praise from stars like Bala, who honoured him with a chain, and Kannada star Sudeep Sanjeev, who praised both Shaam and Durai for their excellent work. Shaam reportedly went without sleep for days during filming. [5] Durai again took a five-year hiatus before directing Yemaali in 2018. [6]
Since 2018, Durai has directed the horror-thriller movie Iruttu starring Sundar C. (released 6 December 2019). The film was a hit horror thriller, with critics praising it for its unexplored elements and investigative angle. The film was a break for Sundar C., the film completed 50days of theatrical run and was declared as a 'hit'. Durai Next directed 'Narkali' Starring Actor turned director Ameer. Durai started his own production company 'Right Eye Theatres' sidelining his previous first copy ventures and his advertisements and constructions. His first Production is the hit combo of himself and Sundar C., which is expected to be a sequel to one of the biggest hits of 2005, Thalainagaram [7]
Durai founded a company called Addlime, through which he directed several international advertisements in Dubai, Ukraine, Thailand, and London. In London, he did various corporate films for Medican Medical Cannabis. His wife and him associated for several advertisements such as The Chennai Silks, City Union Bank Limited (CUB), BharatMatrimony etc. [8]
Durai prior to becoming a film director, worked in a firm called 'sunland group of companies' founded and headed by his brother in law. He worked as the managing director for several projects. [9]
| Year | Project | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Taj Hotels | Maldives |
| 2002 | Taj Hotels | South Male atoll |
| 2003 | Taj Hotels | bolifushi |
| Year | Title | Cast | Music | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Mugavaree | Ajith Kumar, Jyothika, Vivek, Manivannan | Deva | Also Cameo Appearance | [10] |
| 2002 | Ramanaa | Vijayakanth, Simran | Illayaraja | As an Actor | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Sadugudu | Vikram, Priyanka Trivedi | Deva | [11] | |
| 2005 | Thotti Jaya | Silambarasan, Gopika | Harris Jayaraj , Yuvan Shankar Raja | Also Cameo Appearance | [12] |
| 2008 | Nepali | Bharath, Meera Jasmine | Srikanth Deva | Also Cameo Appearance | [13] |
| 2013 | 6 | Shaam, Poonam Kaur | Srikanth Deva | [14] | |
| 2018 | Yemaali | Samuthirakani, Sam Jones, Athulya Ravi | Sam D Raj | [15] | |
| 2019 | Iruttu | Sundar C, Sakshi Chaudhary, VTV Ganesh, Yogi Babu | Girishh G | Also Cameo Appearance | [16] |
| 2022 | Thalainagaram 2 | Sundar C, Pallak Lalwani, Thambi Ramaiah, Yogi Babu | Ghibran | Also As an actor and producer | [17] |
| 2024 | Narkaali | Ameer Sultan, Imman Annachi, Chandini Sreedharan | Vidhyasagar | Also As an actor | [18] |
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | National Film Awards | Best Debut Director | Mugavaree | Nominated | [19] |
| 2000 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Family film | Won | [19] | |
| 2013 | National Film Awards | Best Film | 6 | Nominated | [20] |
| 2013 | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | Best Story | Won | [20] |
Gautham Vasudev Menon is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer and actor who predominantly works in Tamil film industry. He has also directed Telugu and Hindi films that either simultaneously shot with or remakes of his own Tamil films.
Thotti Jaya is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language gangster action film written and directed by Durai and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu. The film stars Silambarasan and Gopika, while Pradeep Rawat essays a supporting role. The soundtrack was composed by Harris Jayaraj with cinematography by R. D. Rajasekhar and Anthony.
Sandakozhi is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by N. Linguswamy and produced by Vikram Krishna under the banner of G K Film Corporation. The film stars Vishal, Meera Jasmine, Rajkiran, Lal, Raja, Suman Setty and Ganja Karuppu. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and the cinematography was handled by Jeeva and Nirav Shah, while the editing was handled by G. Sasikumar.
Poovellam Un Vaasam is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Ezhil and produced by V. Ravichandran. It stars Ajith Kumar and Jyothika as childhood friends, alongside an ensemble supporting cast of Nagesh, Sivakumar, Sayaji Shinde, Vivek, Yugendran, and Kovai Sarala.
Thalai Nagaram is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language gangster action film written and directed by Suraj and produced by V. Ravichandran. The film stars Sundar C in his lead acting debut and Jyothirmayi, while Vadivelu, Prakash Raj, Judo. K. K. Rathnam, K. S. Ravikumar, and Bose Venkat play supporting roles. This film was a low-budget production but enjoyed huge success. The soundtrack, composed by D. Imman, was a great hit, and the song "Yedho Ninaikiren" charted at the top position for a week. The film also has cinematography by K. S. Selvaraj and editing by Mu. Kasi Viswanath.
Nepali is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir thriller film written and directed by V. Z. Durai and produced by Rama Saravanan. It stars Bharath and Meera Jasmine in the lead roles, while Govind Namdeo and Prem play supporting roles and Sangeetha in a guest appearance. The film marks Namdeo's Tamil debut. Bharath plays three different characters within one role in the movie. The film has music by Srikanth Deva, cinematography by Madhi and editing by Mathan Gunadeva. The film was shot in Ooty, Chennai and Hyderabad. It released on 10 April 2008.
Vinayagar Sundar Vel, known professionally as Sundar C., is an Indian film director, actor and producer. He has directed over 34 films in Tamil and acted in 17 movies as the protagonist. He remains one of the successful and most wanted director in the Industry for the last 3 decades.
Senthamizhan Seeman is an Indian politician, filmmaker and the chief-coordinator of the political party Naam Tamilar Katchi in Tamil Nadu. He is an advocate of the creation of vote bank for Tamils.
Shiva is an Indian Tamil actor, comedian, radio jockey, and dialogue writer. He has featured in several Tamil language films. Prior to his acting career, Shiva worked as a radio jockey with Radio Mirchi. Acting mainly in comedy films, he rose to fame following his performances in the Venkat Prabhu directorials Chennai 600028 and Saroja, before also featuring in Thamizh Padam. His tenure with Radio Mirchi earned him the nickname Mirchi Shiva. He is called by fans as Agila Ulaga Superstar.
A. Venkatesh is an Indian film director and actor working in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as an assistant, he directed his first film, Mahaprabhu, in 1996.
Suraj is an Indian film director who works primarily in Tamil films. He is best known for directing action and masala films.
Ezhilmaaran known as Ezhil is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry. He has won 2 Tamil Nadu state awards. He made his directorial debut with the 1999 romantic film Thulladha Manamum Thullum starring Vijay and Simran. His success streak continued with Pennin Manathai Thottu (2000), Poovellam Un Vasam (2001) and Deepavali (2007). He made a comeback in 2012 after a brief sabbatical with the Sivakarthikeyan starred film Manam Kothi Paravai which opened to moderate reviews from critics, but was a commercial hit. Film Directors Suseenthiran and Karu Pazhaniappan were his assistants.
6 is a 2013 Tamil crime thriller film written and directed by V. Z. Durai. It stars Shaam and Poonam Kaur. The lead character sports six looks and goes around six states to solve a mystery. The film was released on 20 September 2013 with positive reviews and became a sleeper hit. The movie is loosely based on the 2007 Korean movie Voice of a Murderer.
Thagaraaru (transl. Argument) is a 2013 Indian Tamil action mystery drama film written and directed by newcomer Ganesh Vinaayac and produced by Cloud Nine Movies. The film stars Arulnithi and Poorna in the lead roles while Jayaprakash, Pawan, Sulile Kumar, and Aadukalam Murugadoss appear in supporting roles. The soundtrack was composed by Dharan, while Praveen Sathya composed the score. Dillraj was the cinematographer, and T. S. Suresh edited the film. The film released on 6 December 2013 and received mixed reviews from critics. Due to the popularity of Madurai Backdrop, The film received generally positive reviews and become an above average hit at the box office.
Seeman is an Indian film director and actor, who has worked in Tamil cinema. He made his directorial debut in 1996, with the Tamil film Panchalankurichi. Since then, he has directed four more films and also appeared in acting roles in films of other directors.
Yemaali (transl. Naïve) is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy drama film written and directed by V. Z. Durai. The film features Samuthirakani in the lead role, with Sam Jones, Athulya Ravi, and Roshni Prakash also in pivotal roles. Produced by Latha Productions and featuring music composed by Sam D. Raj, the venture began production in April 2017 and was released on 2 February 2018.
Theni Kunjarammal was an Indian actress and playback singer who has worked in the Tamil film industry. As a playback singer, she has worked extensively with A. R. Rahman during the late 1990s and early 2000s for folk songs, while also regularly collaborating with Harris Jayaraj.
Viswasam (transl. Trust ) is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Siva. The film stars Ajith Kumar, Nayanthara and Jagapathi Babu. Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films, the film was officially announced on 20 November 2017 and principal photography began in May 2018.
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Thalainagaram 2 is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language action crime film written and directed by V. Z. Durai. It stars Sundar C. and Pallak Lalwani with Thambi Ramaiah, Prabhakar, Aayira, Jaise Jose, Vishal Rajan and Seran Raj in supporting roles.