Pandiraj


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.

Pandiraj
Pandiraj on his new venture.jpg
Born (1976-06-07) 7 June 1976 (age 48)
Virachilai Township, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu
OccupationFilm director, screenwriter, film producer, distributor
Years active2009-present

Early lifeEdit

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.

StyleEdit

Pandiraj is also famous for making village action family movies. The movies include a lot of family sentiments and focuses on farming.

CareerEdit

 
Pandiraj along with Cinematogrpaher C.Prem Kumar (who later directed the movie 96) at the presentation of the film Pasanga, during the 40th International Film Festival (IFFI-2009), at Panaji, Goa on 27 November 2009.

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]

FilmographyEdit

Director
Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Producer Writer
2009 Pasanga  Y  N  Y 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  Y  N  Y
2012 Marina  Y  Y  Y
2013 Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga  Y  N  Y
2014 Goli Soda  N  N  Y
2015 Pasanga 2  Y  N  Y
2016 Idhu Namma Aalu  Y  N  Y
Kathakali  Y  Y  Y
2018 Kadaikutty Singam  Y  N  Y SIIMA Award for Best Director
Semma  N  Y  Y
2019 Namma Veettu Pillai  Y  N  Y
2021 Etharkkum Thunindhavan  Y  N  Y
Distributor

AwardsEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. "Arulnidhi was like any other city guy: Director".
  2. "I never expected to win a National Award for Pasanga".
  3. "I never expected to win a National Award for Pasanga".
  4. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/mar/07/pasanga-goes-to-chicago-233477.html
  5. https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-review-vamsam/20100813.htm
  6. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/feb-12-01/marina-review.html
  7. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kedi-billa-killadi-ranga-the-jokes-on-us/article4564375.ece
  8. "- Tamil Movie News - IndiaGlitz.com".
  9. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/pasanga2-review-more-educative-than-entertaining/article8025829.ece
  10. "Ayngaran International". www.ayngaran.com.
  11. "I'm excited: Director Pandiraj".
  12. 12.0 12.1 Lakshmi, K. (30 May 2010). "'Pasanga' steals show at Vijay awards" – via www.thehindu.com.
  13. "Malayalee Council - Tamil Movie News - Awards for Kamal, Mohan Lal, Pookutty - Kamal - Mohan Lal - Ilayaraja - Behindwoods.com". www.behindwoods.com.

External linksEdit