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| name      = Suraj
| name      = Suraj
| image      =  
| image      =  
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|12|31}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iflicks.in/StarPage/Director/Suraj|title=Iflicks: Latest Tamil cinema news - Kollywood latest news - Tamil movie stills|work=iflicks.in|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>
| birth_name =Suresh<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Mm3vIOgAU  |archive-url=|archive-date= |title="சத்யராஜ் ஒரு ஜென்டில்மேன்" - DIRECTOR SURAAJ VADIVELU CHITRALAKSHMANAN CHAI WITH CHITRA |date=May 22, 2023 |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=Touring Talkies |at=name mentioned at 15:01 |access-date= 3 August 2023}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|12|31}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iflicks.in/StarPage/Director/Suraj|title=Iflicks: Latest Tamil cinema news - Kollywood latest news - Tamil movie stills|work=iflicks.in|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Chengalpattu]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| birth_place = [[Chengalpattu]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| years_active = 1998 -  
| years_active = 1998 - Present


| occupation = Film director
| occupation = Film director
}}
}}
'''Suraj''' (born December 31, 1977) is an Indian film director active mainly in [[Tamil films]]. He is best known for directing [[Action film|action]] and [[masala film]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://screenindia.com/20010727/rtam3.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030119044058/http://screenindia.com/20010727/rtam3.html|archive-date = 19 January 2003|title = Entertainment News: Latest Bollywood & Hollywood News, Today's Entertainment News Headlines}}</ref>
 
'''Suraj''' (born '''Suresh'''; December 31, 1967) is an Indian film director who works primarily in [[Tamil films]]. He is best known for directing [[Action film|action]] and [[masala film]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://screenindia.com/20010727/rtam3.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030119044058/http://screenindia.com/20010727/rtam3.html|archive-date = 19 January 2003|title = Entertainment News: Latest Bollywood & Hollywood News, Today's Entertainment News Headlines}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==


In 1996, Suraj began working as an assistant director to [[Sundar C.]] on his comedy films ''[[Ullathai Allitha]]'' and ''[[Mettukudi]]''. In 1997, he continued to assist Sundar C. on ''[[Arunachalam (film)|Arunachalam]]'' starring [[Rajinikanth]] and he was the co-director of the film ''[[Janakiraman]]''. Suraj directed his first film in 1998 ''[[Moovendhar]]'' which featured [[R. Sarathkumar]] and [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]], the film was a critical and commercial failure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weajD42uSGI&list=PL6J49nu506tgE36tmIdQlWG_lHXDuS0P_&index=144 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529135929/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weajD42uSGI |archive-date=2014-05-29 |url-status=dead|title=YouTube|work=youtube.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref> Then, Suraj returned to assist Sundar C. in his films. In 2006, he made his directorial comeback through ''[[Thalai Nagaram]]'', starring his mentor Sundar C., [[Jyothirmayi]] and [[Vadivelu]]. The film was a hit. The following year, Suraj made his third film ''[[Marudhamalai]]'', featured [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]], [[Meera Chopra|Nila]] and again comedian Vadivelu, despite mixed reviews, the film was a hit. In 2009, he directed ''[[Padikkadavan (2009 film)|Padikathavan]]'' starring [[Dhanush]], [[Tamannaah]] and due his busy schedule, Vadivelu has been replaced by comedian [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]]. The film, distributed by [[Sun Pictures]], was also a hit. In 2011, he made ''[[Mappillai (2011 film)|Mappillai]]'', remake of the 1989 film ''[[Mappillai (1989 film)|Mappillai]]''. The film starring [[Dhanush]], [[Hansika Motwani]] and [[Manisha Koirala]]. The film received mixed reviews, but the film became a hit at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14968998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425110716/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14968998 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2016 |title=Chennai Box Office - April 29 to May 1, 2011 |publisher=Sify.com |date=4 May 2011 |accessdate=14 January 2016}}</ref> After Mappillai Suraj directed ''[[Alex Pandian]]'' starring [[Karthi]] and [[Anushka Shetty]]. The film released on 11 January 2013 to negative reviews from critics as well as audience. After Alex Pandian's failure, Suraj directed ''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 film)|Sakalakala Vallavan]]'' starring [[Jayam Ravi]], [[Anjali (actress born 1986)|Anjali]] and [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]]. The film released on 31 July 2015 to negative reviews; the film became an average grosser at the box office. After Sakalakala vallavan he directed ''[[Kaththi Sandai]]'' starring [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] [[Tamannaah]], [[Soori (actor)|Soori]] and [[Vadivelu]]. The film released on 23 December 2016 and was panned heavily by critics and audiences becoming a big commercial failure
In 1996, Suraj began working as an assistant director to [[Sundar C]] on his comedy films ''[[Ullathai Allitha]]'' and ''[[Mettukudi]]''. In 1997, he continued to assist Sundar C on ''[[Arunachalam (film)|Arunachalam]]'' starring [[Rajinikanth]] and he was the co-director of the film ''[[Janakiraman]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/director/suraj | title=Kollywood Director Suraj Biography, News, Photos, Videos }}</ref><ref name="movie">{{Cite AV media |title=Janakiraman |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Ganga Gowri Productions |year=1997}}</ref>{{rp|1:05:33–1:05:48}} He then made ''Kunguma Pottu Gounder'' and ''Military'' under the name Sai Suresh.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rasika |title=Name Game |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/sep272.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040826205917/http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/sep272.asp |archive-date=26 August 2004 |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref>


== Controversies ==
Then, Suraj returned to assist Sundar C in his films. In 2006, he made his directorial comeback through ''[[Thalai Nagaram]]'', starring his mentor Sundar C, [[Jyothirmayi]] and [[Vadivelu]]. The following year, Suraj made his third film ''[[Marudhamalai (film)|Marudhamalai]]'', featured [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]], [[Meera Chopra|Nila]] and again comedian Vadivelu. In 2009, he directed ''[[Padikkadavan (2009 film)|Padikathavan]]'' starring [[Dhanush]], [[Tamannaah]] and due his busy schedule, Vadivelu has been replaced by comedian [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]]. The film was distributed by [[Sun Pictures]]. In 2011, he made ''[[Mappillai (2011 film)|Mappillai]]'', remake of the 1989 film ''[[Mappillai (1989 film)|Mappillai]]''. The film starring [[Dhanush]], [[Hansika Motwani]] and [[Manisha Koirala]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/mapillai-remake-spurs-demand-for-original-rajni-starrer/articleshow/7930101.cms | title=Mapillai remake spurs demand for original Rajni-starrer | newspaper=The Times of India | date=10 April 2011 }}</ref> The film received mixed reviews, but the film became a hit at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14968998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425110716/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14968998 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2016 |title=Chennai Box Office - April 29 to May 1, 2011 |website=[[Sify]] |date=4 May 2011 |accessdate=14 January 2016}}</ref>
During the promotions of his film ''[[Kaththi Sandai]]'', he made comments about actresses in [[Indian films]] which were deemed [[sexist]], saying that they are paid to wear less clothes and that he makes sure they wear revealing clothes to satisfy "[[low class]]" audiences.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38441702|title = Tamannaah Bhatia praised for standing up to 'sexist' filmmaker Suraj|work = BBC News|date = 27 December 2016}}</ref>


This angered many of the [[netizens]] and actress [[Nayanthara]] as well as the film's lead Tamannah has spoken out condemning such cheap statements made by Suraj.<ref>[http://www.sify.com/movies/we-are-not-strippers-mr-suraj-nayanthara-lashes-out-news-tamil-qm0oSIeggfdjd.html#.WGD_Db-7sXg.facebook sify.com]</ref>
After Mappillai Suraj directed ''[[Alex Pandian]]'' starring [[Karthi]] and [[Anushka Shetty]]. The film released on 11 January 2013. After Alex Pandian's failure, Suraj directed ''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 film)|Sakalakala Vallavan]]'' starring [[Jayam Ravi]], [[Anjali (actress born 1986)|Anjali]] and [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]]. The film released on 31 July 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/16980/tamil/sakalakala-vallavan/ | title=Sakalakala Vallavan (2015) &#124; Sakalakala Vallavan Tamil Movie &#124; Movie Reviews, Showtimes | date=20 February 2015 }}</ref> He later directed ''[[Kaththi Sandai]]'' starring [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moviebuff.com/kaththi-sandai|title=Kaththi Sandai on Moviebuff.com|website=Moviebuff.com}}</ref>
Later that day, he apologised and took back his statement.
 
In 2022, Suraj directed ''[[Naai Sekar Returns]]'', to [[Vadivelu]]’s character in ''[[Thalai Nagaram]]'' (2006) in which he plays a laughably over-the-top rowdy called Naai Sekar.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/naai-sekar-returns-review-lacklustre-comeback-vadivelu-170789 | title=Naai Sekar Returns Review: A lacklustre comeback for Vadivelu | date=9 December 2022 }}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%;"
===As director===
! rowspan="2" |Year
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! rowspan="2" |Film
! Year !! Film !! Language !!Cast !!Notes
! colspan="2" |Credited as
! rowspan="2" |Notes
|-
!Director
!Writer
|-
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Moovendhar]]'' || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] || [[Sarath Kumar]], [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]] ||Credited as C. G. Suraaj<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/moovendhar.htm|title=Moovendhar: A Movie Review|work=indolink.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>  
| 1998 || ''[[Moovendhar]]''
|{{Yes}}
| {{partial|Screenplay}} ||Credited as C. G. Suraaj<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/moovendhar.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001212093200/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/moovendhar.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2000|title=Moovendhar: A Movie Review|work=indolink.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>  
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Kunguma Pottu Gounder]]'' || Tamil || [[Sathyaraj]], [[Rambha (actress)|Rambha]], [[Kausalya (actress)|Kausalya]] ||Credited as G. Saisuresh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chennaionline.com/location/kpg.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20031128163826/http://www.chennaionline.com/location/kpg.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 November 2003 |title=Kunguma Pottu Gounder |date=28 November 2003 |access-date=28 June 2016 }}</ref>
| 1999 || ''[[Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga]]''
|{{no}}
| {{partial|Story}}
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Military (film)|Military]]'' || Tamil || [[Sathyaraj]], [[Rambha (actress)|Rambha]] || Credited as G. Saisuresh  
| 2001 || ''[[Kunguma Pottu Gounder]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{partial|Screenplay}}  ||Credited as G. Saisuresh<ref>{{cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |title=Kunguma Pottu Gounder |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/location/kpg.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20031128163826/http://www.chennaionline.com/location/kpg.asp |archive-date=28 November 2003 |access-date=10 March 2023 |work=Chennai Online}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Thalai Nagaram]]'' || Tamil || [[Sundar C]], [[Jyothirmayi]], [[Vadivelu]], [[Prakash Raj]] ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/thal/20060519.htm|title=Thalainagaram: Routine fare|work=rediff.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>
| 2003 || ''[[Military (film)|Military]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{partial|Screenplay}}  || Credited as G. Saisuresh
|-
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Marudhamalai]]'' || Tamil || [[Arjun Sarja]], [[Meera Chopra|Nila]], [[Vadivelu]] ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/marudhamalai-review-tamil-14523562.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184358/http://www.sify.com/movies/marudhamalai-review-tamil-14523562.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Marudhamalai|work=sify.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>  
| 2006 || ''[[Thalai Nagaram]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}} || Remake; original story writer not credited<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/thal/20060519.htm|title=Thalainagaram: Routine fare|work=rediff.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>  
|-
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Padikkadavan (2009 film)|Padikathavan]]'' || Tamil || [[Dhanush]], [[Tamannaah Bhatia|Tamannaah]], [[Atul Kulkarni]], [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]], [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/padikathavan.html|title=Padikathavan Movie Review - Behindwoods.com Dhanush Tamanna Suraaj Sun TV Cool Suresh Movie Stills Images Tamil Movie Gallery Stills Images hot images Tamil picture gallery images|work=behindwoods.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>  
| 2007 || ''[[Marudhamalai (film)|Marudhamalai]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}} ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/marudhamalai-review-tamil-14523562.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184358/http://www.sify.com/movies/marudhamalai-review-tamil-14523562.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Marudhamalai|work=sify.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>  
|-
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Mappillai (2011 film)|Mappillai]]'' || Tamil || [[Dhanush]], [[Manisha Koirala]],  [[Hansika Motwani]], [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/apr-11-02/mappillai-review.html|title=MAPPILLAI REVIEW - MAPPILLAI MOVIE REVIEW|work=behindwoods.com|accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref>
| 2009 || ''[[Padikkadavan (2009 film)|Padikathavan]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}} ||
|-
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Alex Pandian]]'' || Tamil || [[Karthi]], [[Anushka Shetty]], [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]], [[Milind Soman]], [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] ||
| 2011 || ''[[Mappillai (2011 film)|Mappillai]]''
|{{Yes}}
| {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 film)|Sakalakala Vallavan]]'' || Tamil || [[Jayam Ravi]], [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]], [[Anjali (actress born 1986)|Anjali]], [[Soori (actor)|Soori]], [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]]  ||  
| 2013 || ''[[Alex Pandian]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}||
|-
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Kaththi Sandai]]'' || Tamil || [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]], [[Tamannaah]], [[Jagapati Babu]], [[Tarun Arora]], [[Soori (actor)|Soori]], [[Vadivelu]] ||  
| 2015 || ''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 film)|Sakalakala Vallavan]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}} ||
|-
|-
| TBA || ''[[Naai Sekar Returns]]'' || Tamil || [[Vadivelu]] || Spin-off of [[Thalai Nagaram]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/first-look-poster-vadivelu-s-naai-sekar-returns-out-156291|title=First-look poster of Vadivelu's Naai Sekar Returns is out|date=8 October 2021}}</ref>
| 2016 || ''[[Kaththi Sandai]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}||
|-
|-
|}
| 2022 || ''[[Naai Sekar Returns]]''
 
|{{Yes}}
===As Writer===
|{{Yes}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|Also actor
! Year !! Film !! Language !!Cast !!Notes
|-
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga]]'' || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] || [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]], [[Rambha (actress)|Rambha]], [[Goundamani]] ||
|}
|}


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[[Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian people]]

Latest revision as of 05:24, 27 February 2026


Suraj
Born
Suresh[1]

(1967-12-31) December 31, 1967 (age 58)[2]
Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationFilm director
Years active1998 - Present

Suraj (born Suresh; December 31, 1967) is an Indian film director who works primarily in Tamil films. He is best known for directing action and masala films.[3]

Career[edit | edit source]

In 1996, Suraj began working as an assistant director to Sundar C on his comedy films Ullathai Allitha and Mettukudi. In 1997, he continued to assist Sundar C on Arunachalam starring Rajinikanth and he was the co-director of the film Janakiraman.[4][5]:1:05:33–1:05:48 He then made Kunguma Pottu Gounder and Military under the name Sai Suresh.[6]

Then, Suraj returned to assist Sundar C in his films. In 2006, he made his directorial comeback through Thalai Nagaram, starring his mentor Sundar C, Jyothirmayi and Vadivelu. The following year, Suraj made his third film Marudhamalai, featured Arjun, Nila and again comedian Vadivelu. In 2009, he directed Padikathavan starring Dhanush, Tamannaah and due his busy schedule, Vadivelu has been replaced by comedian Vivek. The film was distributed by Sun Pictures. In 2011, he made Mappillai, remake of the 1989 film Mappillai. The film starring Dhanush, Hansika Motwani and Manisha Koirala.[7] The film received mixed reviews, but the film became a hit at the box office.[8]

After Mappillai Suraj directed Alex Pandian starring Karthi and Anushka Shetty. The film released on 11 January 2013. After Alex Pandian's failure, Suraj directed Sakalakala Vallavan starring Jayam Ravi, Anjali and Trisha. The film released on 31 July 2015.[9] He later directed Kaththi Sandai starring Vishal.[10]

In 2022, Suraj directed Naai Sekar Returns, to Vadivelu’s character in Thalai Nagaram (2006) in which he plays a laughably over-the-top rowdy called Naai Sekar.[11]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Writer
1998 Moovendhar Yes Screenplay Credited as C. G. Suraaj[12]
1999 Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga No Story
2001 Kunguma Pottu Gounder Yes Screenplay Credited as G. Saisuresh[13]
2003 Military Yes Screenplay Credited as G. Saisuresh
2006 Thalai Nagaram Yes Yes Remake; original story writer not credited[14]
2007 Marudhamalai Yes Yes [15]
2009 Padikathavan Yes Yes
2011 Mappillai Yes No
2013 Alex Pandian Yes Yes
2015 Sakalakala Vallavan Yes Yes
2016 Kaththi Sandai Yes Yes
2022 Naai Sekar Returns Yes Yes Also actor

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ ""சத்யராஜ் ஒரு ஜென்டில்மேன்" - DIRECTOR SURAAJ VADIVELU CHITRALAKSHMANAN CHAI WITH CHITRA". YouTube. Touring Talkies. 22 May 2023. name mentioned at 15:01. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Iflicks: Latest Tamil cinema news - Kollywood latest news - Tamil movie stills". iflicks.in. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Entertainment News: Latest Bollywood & Hollywood News, Today's Entertainment News Headlines". Archived from the original on 19 January 2003.
  4. ↑ "Kollywood Director Suraj Biography, News, Photos, Videos".
  5. ↑ Janakiraman (motion picture) (in தமிழ்). Ganga Gowri Productions. 1997.
  6. ↑ Rasika. "Name Game". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 26 August 2004. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  7. ↑ "Mapillai remake spurs demand for original Rajni-starrer". The Times of India. 10 April 2011.
  8. ↑ "Chennai Box Office - April 29 to May 1, 2011". Sify. 4 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  9. ↑ "Sakalakala Vallavan (2015) | Sakalakala Vallavan Tamil Movie | Movie Reviews, Showtimes". 20 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Kaththi Sandai on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com.
  11. ↑ "Naai Sekar Returns Review: A lacklustre comeback for Vadivelu". 9 December 2022.
  12. ↑ "Moovendhar: A Movie Review". indolink.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2000. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  13. ↑ Mannath, Malini. "Kunguma Pottu Gounder". Chennai Online. Retrieved 10 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ "Thalainagaram: Routine fare". rediff.com. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Marudhamalai". sify.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2016.

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