Created page with "{{Short description|Indian film director}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Rajesh Pillai |..."
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2016|02|27|1974|07|10}}
| death_place = [[Kochi]], India
| death_cause =
| occupation = [[Film director]]
| years_active = 2005–2016
| imagesize =
| spouse = Megha Rajesh
}}
'''Rajesh Raman Pillai''' (10 July 1974 – 27 February 2016) was an Indian film director best known for his work in [[Malayalam cinema]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Sebastian |first=Shevlin |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/Rajesh-Pillai-Through-his-Wife-Mekhas-Eyes/2016/02/27/article3299872.ece |title=Rajesh Pillai, Through his Wife Mekha's Eyes |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=2011-01-07 |accessdate=2016-02-27}}</ref> He is credited with setting a new trend in Malayalam cinema with his thriller, ''[[Traffic (2011 film)|Traffic]]'' (2011).
Rajesh Pillai made his directorial debut with ''[[Hridayathil Sookshikkan]]'' (2005) which turned out to be a commercial and critical failure.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1089894.ece |title='Traffic' gets the green signal |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=2011-01-13 |accessdate=2016-02-27}}</ref> His second film ''[[Traffic (2011 film)|Traffic]]'', written by brothers [[Bobby Sanjay|Bobby and Sanjay]] was released in 2011. The film has its narrative in a [[Hyperlink cinema|hyperlink]] format and is inspired by an actual event that happened in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/12067.html |title=Traffic review. Traffic Malayalam movie review, story, rating |website=IndiaGlitz.com |date=2011-01-08 |accessdate=2016-02-27}}</ref> The film was a notable success and is widely regarded as one of the defining movies of the [[New Wave (Malayalam film movement)|Malayalam New Wave]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/shot-at-direction/article4876905.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Nita | last=Sathyendran | title=Shot at direction | date=2013-07-03}}</ref>
In August 2012, the director announced his next movie titled ''[[Motorcycle Diaries (2013 film)|Motorcycle Diaries]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/mollywood/m%E2%80%99town%E2%80%99s-new-hero-bike-684 |accessdate=1 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802090916/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/mollywood/m%E2%80%99town%E2%80%99s-new-hero-bike-684 |archivedate=2 August 2012 }}</ref> However Pillai put the project on hold and started the work of ''[[Mili (Malayalam film)|Mili]]'', a heroine-centric film with [[Amala Paul]] in title role opposite [[Nivin Pauly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://muyals.com/rajesh-pillai-magic-new-release-mili/|title=More Rajesh Pillai Magic in his New Release 'Mili' - Malayalam Film News | Movie Gallery|website=Muyals.com|accessdate=2016-02-27|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305041147/http://muyals.com/rajesh-pillai-magic-new-release-mili/|archivedate=5 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The film released in January 2015 and received positive reviews from critics and became an above average grosser at box office.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/selfie-clicks-becomes-years-first-superhit/article7070011.ece |title=Selfie clicks, becomes year's first super-hit |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=2015-04-05 |accessdate=2016-02-27}}</ref>
''[[Vettah]]'', a psychological thriller starring [[Kunchacko Boban]], [[Manju Warrier]], [[Indrajith Sukumaran]] and [[Kadhal Sandhya]], scripted by [[Arunlal Ramachandran]], and is touted to be the first ever mind game movie in Malayalam was released on 26 February 2016, a day before Pillai's death. [[Manju Warrier]] plays the role of Sreebala IPS, the City Police Commissioner in this film.
== Death ==
Suffering from [[non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]], Pillai died on 27 February 2016, at PVS Hospital, [[Kochi]]<ref>https://www.deadfamous.info/rajesh-pillai-indian-film-director-died-at-41</ref> He is survived by his wife Megha, father Raman Pillai, and an elder sister.
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Hridayathil Sookshikkan]]''||
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Traffic (2011 film)|Traffic]]'' || Remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Chennaiyil Oru Naal]]''
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Mili (2015 film)|Mili]]'' ||
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Vettah]]'' || Released a day before his death
[[File:The Film Director, Rajesh Pillai being felicitated by the Deputy Director of IFFI, Ms. Tanu Rai, at the presentation of the film “Traffic”, at the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2011), in Panaji, Goa.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Rajesh Pillai being felicitated at [[International Film Festival of India|IFFI]] ([[42nd International Film Festival of India|2011]]) ]]
* '''Won''' – 1st South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Direction – ''[[Traffic (2011 film)|Traffic]]''
* '''Won''' – Jaihind Film Awards 2012 for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* '''Won''' – Reporter TV Film Awards 2012 for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* '''Won''' – Nana Film Awards for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* '''Won''' – Amritha Film Award - Trend Setting Film Director
* '''Won''' – Aimfill Inspire Film Award - Best Innovative Film
* '''Won''' – National Film Promotion Council 2011 - Pratheeksha Puraskaram
* '''Won''' –Mathrubhumi Film Awards 2011 - Path Breaking Movie of the Year
* '''Won''' – Minnalai Film TV Awards-Best Director - 2011
* '''Won''' – Audi-Ritz Icon Award 2012 - Iconic Film of the Year Malayalam
* '''Won''' – Santhosham South Indian Film Award 2011
* '''Won''' – Southspin Fashion Award-2012
* '''Nominated''' – Asianet Film Awards 2012 for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* '''Nominated''' – Surya Film Awards for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
Rajesh Raman Pillai (10 July 1974 – 27 February 2016) was an Indian film director best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.[2] He is credited with setting a new trend in Malayalam cinema with his thriller, Traffic (2011).
Rajesh Pillai made his directorial debut with Hridayathil Sookshikkan (2005) which turned out to be a commercial and critical failure.[3] His second film Traffic, written by brothers Bobby and Sanjay was released in 2011. The film has its narrative in a hyperlink format and is inspired by an actual event that happened in Chennai.[4] The film was a notable success and is widely regarded as one of the defining movies of the Malayalam New Wave.[5]
In August 2012, the director announced his next movie titled Motorcycle Diaries.[6] However Pillai put the project on hold and started the work of Mili, a heroine-centric film with Amala Paul in title role opposite Nivin Pauly.[7] The film released in January 2015 and received positive reviews from critics and became an above average grosser at box office.[8]
Suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Pillai died on 27 February 2016, at PVS Hospital, Kochi[9] He is survived by his wife Megha, father Raman Pillai, and an elder sister.
,_in_Panaji,_Goa.jpg)