R. Velraj | |
---|---|
Born | Velrajan Rajamani 21 October 1969 Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Film director, cinematographer |
Years active | 2003-present |
Known for | cinematography , direction & cast |
R. Velraj is an Indian cinematographer, director and writer who primarily works in Tamil and Hindi cinema. He is well known for his camera work in films like Asuran, Aadukalam, Vada Chennai, Kadaikutty Singam and Komban, and for directing Velaiilla Pattadhari and Thanga Magan.
Rajamani Velraj was born in a village called Kootthiyar Kundu near Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He went to PKN Boys Higher Secondary School (Tirumangalam), and studied at Madurai Sourastra College. [1]
Early in his career, he was associated with cinematographer Tirru and worked as an assistant cinematographer in several Tamil films, for example Aalavandhan. After working with actor Dhanush in Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film Polladhavan directed by Vetrimaaran, for which he won the Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer. Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, making films such as Aadukalam and Asuran, their most recent film. His first directional debut was Velaiilla Pattadhari, starring Dhanush and Amala Paul and with Anirudh as music director. The film was successful and Velraj won several awards for best debut director. In 2015, he directed his second film, Thanga Magan. Velray is a member of the ISC.
Year | Title | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | 23rd March 1931: Shaheed | Hindi | Ra Operator |
2003 | Supari | Hindi | |
2006 | Phir Hera Pheri | Hindi | |
2007 | Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram | Tamil | |
Polladhavan | Tamil | Winner, Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer | |
2008 | Kabhi Bhi Kahin Bhi | Hindi | |
Malabar Wedding | Malayalam | ||
2010 | Kandahar | Malayalam | Collaborated with Ravi Varman |
2011 | Aadukalam | Tamil | Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer (Cameo appearance) |
Siruthai | Tamil | ||
Engeyum Eppodhum | Tamil | Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer | |
2012 | 3 | Tamil | |
Savaari | Kannada | ||
Leelai | Tamil | ||
2013 | Naan Rajavaga Pogiren | Tamil | |
Ethir Neechal | Tamil | ||
Udhayam NH4 | Tamil | ||
Naiyaandi | Tamil | ||
2014 | Velaiyilla Pattathari | Tamil | Director (Cameo appearance) |
Poriyaalan | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) | |
2015 | Komban | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
Vai Raja Vai | Tamil | ||
Paayum Puli | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) | |
Thanga Magan | Tamil | Director (Cameo appearance) | |
2016 | Pugazh | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
Marudhu | Tamil | ||
2017 | Power Paandi | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
2018 | Kadaikutty Singam | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
Vada Chennai | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) | |
2019 | Dev | Tamil | |
Asuran | Tamil | (cameo appearance) | |
Sangathamizhan | Tamil | ||
Marina Puratchi | Tamil |
Year | Title | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Velaiilla Pattadhari | Tamil | Winner, Edison Award for Best Debut Director Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Cameo as Traffic Police |
2015 | Thanga Magan | Tamil | Cameo as Ramalingam |
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Velaiilla Pattadhari, popularly referred to as VIP, is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language masala film written,and filmed by Velraj, in his directorial debut. This film is Dhanush’s 25th film. The film features Dhanush, Amala Paul, while Vivek, Saranya Ponvannan, Samuthirakani and Surbhi play supporting roles.
Aadukalam Murugadoss is an Indian film actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made his breakthrough portraying Dhanush's friend in Vetrimaaran's critically acclaimed 2011 film. Aadukalam, thus adding the name of the film as a prefix to create a stage name.
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Thanga Magan is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Velraj. Dhanush produced and stars in the film alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Amy Jackson. The film entered production in March 2015 and was released on 18 December 2015. The film performed poorly at the box office.
Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 is a 2017 Indian action comedy film directed by Soundarya Rajnikanth. The film was shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu, with the latter titled VIP 2. It is a sequel to the 2014 film Velaiilla Pattadhari and has Dhanush, Amala Paul, Vivek, Hrishikesh, Saranya Ponvannan, and Samuthirakani reprising their roles, while Kajol plays an antagonistic role in her second Tamil film after 1997's Minsara Kanavu. Dhanush, besides acting, also co-produced with N. Ramasamy, and wrote the story and dialogues for the film. Its music was composed by Sean Roldan. It was released worldwide on 11 August 2017, after initially planning to release on Dhanush's birthday, July 28.
Asuran is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Vetrimaaran and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu under his production banner V Creations. The film is based on Poomani's novel Vekkai ("Heat"). The film stars Dhanush and Manju Warrier, where the latter makes her Tamil debut. G. V. Prakash Kumar scored the music for the film, renewing his collaboration with Vetrimaaran. The cinematography was performed by Velraj, with editing by R. Ramar. Asuran was released on 4 October 2019. The film's plot is influenced by the real-life Kilvenmani massacre that occurred in 1968. The film was a commercial success.
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