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Pandiraj
Pandiraj | |
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| Born | 7 June 1976 Virachilai Township, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu |
| Occupation | Film director, screenwriter, film producer, distributor |
| Years active | 2009-present |
Pandiraj (பாண்டிராஜ் in Tamil) is an Indian film director and producer, who works in Tamil cinema. His debut film, Pasanga (2009), was commercially successful[1] and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Screenplay.
Early life[edit]
Pandiraj was born 7 June 1976 and brought up in Virachilai Township, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, India. After Schooling, he moved to Chennai in 1996. He worked as an "office-boy" with director K. Bhagyaraj. During his early years, he wrote several short stories for the famous Tamil Bagya. Gradually, his interest in film making increased and after hurdles, he got the chance to be an assistant director to filmmaker Cheran. He later worked as an assistant director to Thangar Bachan and Chimbu Deven in six films.
Style[edit]
Pandiraj is also famous for making village action family movies. The movies include a lot of family sentiments and focuses on farming.
Career[edit]
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In 2009, Pandiraj became an independent director with director M. Sasikumar agreeing to produce the film. Titled Pasanga, it was a children's film featuring several new child actors and Vimal in his first lead role. Pasanga was said to be a dedication to Pandiraj's childhood memories and was shot during the school vacations and on weekends.[2] The film was a critical success, winning several national and international awards, including three National Film Awards,[3] and being screened at various film festivals.[4]
Following the success of Pasanga, Pandiraj directed his second film, Vamsam with newcomer Arulnithi and Sunaina in the lead roles. The film, which was produced by Arulnidhi's father and M. Karunanidhi's youngest son, M. K. Thamizharasu, gained positive reviews and went well in the box office.[5]
In 2012, Pandiraj set up his a film production studio named Pasanga Productions. His first production was his own directorial Marina which marked the feature film debut for television anchor and comedian Sivakarthikeyan. The film received mixed reviews from critics.[6]
The director's next Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga was also produced by him. Pandiraj cast the lead actors of his previous films, Sivakarthikeyan and Vimal, in the film, who were paired Bindu Madhavi and Regina Cassandra. The romantic comedy film received positive responses from critics and became a commercial hit.[7]
Pandiraj distributed his former assistant Naveen's debut film Moodar Koodam under his Pasanga Productions studio. He also wrote the dialogues for cinematographer Vijay Milton's second directorial Goli Soda.[8]
In 2015, Pandiraj has directed another children's film titled Pasanga 2, produced by actor Suriya.[9]
Filmography[edit]
- Director
| Year | Film | Credited as | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Producer | Writer | |||
| 2009 | Pasanga |  |
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National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil National Film Award for Best Screenplay (Dialogues) Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer Vijay Award for Best Find of the Year Vijay Award for Best Crew |
| 2010 | Vamsam | |
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| 2012 | Marina | |
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| 2013 | Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga | |
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| 2014 | Goli Soda | |
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| 2015 | Pasanga 2 | |
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| 2016 | Idhu Namma Aalu | |
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| Kathakali | |
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| 2018 | Kadaikutty Singam | |
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SIIMA Award for Best Director |
| Semma | |
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| 2019 | Namma Veettu Pillai | |
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| 2021 | Etharkkum Thunindhavan | |
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- Distributor
- Moodar Koodam (2013)
Awards[edit]
- Anandha Vikatan Award for Best Director - Pasangaa[10]
- International Children's Film Festival Golden Elephant Award for Best Director - Pasanga[11]
- National Film Award for Best Screenplay (Dialogues) - Pasanga
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer - Pasanga
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize - Marina
- Vijay Award for Best Find of the Year- Pasanga[12]
- Vijay Award for Best Crew - Pasanga[12]
- World Malayalee Council Award - Pasanga[13]
- South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Director - Kadaikutty Singam
References[edit]
- ↑ "Arulnidhi was like any other city guy: Director".
- ↑ "I never expected to win a National Award for Pasanga".
- ↑ "I never expected to win a National Award for Pasanga".
- ↑ https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/mar/07/pasanga-goes-to-chicago-233477.html
- ↑ https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-review-vamsam/20100813.htm
- ↑ http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/feb-12-01/marina-review.html
- ↑ https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kedi-billa-killadi-ranga-the-jokes-on-us/article4564375.ece
- ↑ "- Tamil Movie News - IndiaGlitz.com".
- ↑ https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/pasanga2-review-more-educative-than-entertaining/article8025829.ece
- ↑ "Ayngaran International". www.ayngaran.com.
- ↑ "I'm excited: Director Pandiraj".
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Lakshmi, K. (30 May 2010). "'Pasanga' steals show at Vijay awards" – via www.thehindu.com.
- ↑ "Malayalee Council - Tamil Movie News - Awards for Kamal, Mohan Lal, Pookutty - Kamal - Mohan Lal - Ilayaraja - Behindwoods.com". www.behindwoods.com.
External links[edit]
- Tamil film directors
- Living people
- 1976 births
- People from Pudukkottai
- Tamil screenwriters
- Tamil film producers
- Indian film distributors
- Film directors from Tamil Nadu
- Film producers from Tamil Nadu
- 21st-century Indian film directors
- Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu
- 21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
- Best Dialogue National Film Award winners
- 21st-century screenwriters