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Rajiv Menon: Difference between revisions
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'''Rajiv Menon''' (born 20 April 1963) is an Indian filmmaker who has worked as a [[film director|director]] and [[cinematographer]] in several Indian regional film industries. After making his breakthrough as a film cinematographer with [[Mani Ratnam]]'s drama ''[[Bombay (film)|Bombay]]'' (1994), Menon has continued to collaborate with Ratnam on other projects including ''[[Guru (2007 film)|Guru]]'' (2007) & ''[[Kadal (2013 film)|Kadal]]'' (2013). He has also directed 2 critically acclaimed Tamil films, ''[[Minsara Kanavu]]'' (1997) and ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]'' (2000), winning a [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil|Filmfare Award]] for the latter.<ref name="sudhishkamath">{{cite | '''Rajiv Menon''' (born 20 April 1963) is an Indian filmmaker who has worked as a [[film director|director]] and [[cinematographer]] in several Indian regional film industries. After making his breakthrough as a film cinematographer with [[Mani Ratnam]]'s drama ''[[Bombay (film)|Bombay]]'' (1994), Menon has continued to collaborate with Ratnam on other projects including ''[[Guru (2007 film)|Guru]]'' (2007) & ''[[Kadal (2013 film)|Kadal]]'' (2013). He has also directed 2 critically acclaimed Tamil films, ''[[Minsara Kanavu]]'' (1997) and ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]'' (2000), winning a [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil|Filmfare Award]] for the latter.<ref name="sudhishkamath">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/look-whats-brewing/article4348055.ece|title=Look what's brewing|author=Sudhish Kamath|work=The Hindu|date=26 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/rajiv-menon/|title=rajiv menon|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/05/stories/2006050502280200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309144309/http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/05/stories/2006050502280200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-03-09 |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Study at Rajiv Menon's institute |date=2006-05-05 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2012-02-04}}</ref> After a sabbatical, Menon returned to directing with ''[[Sarvam Thaala Mayam]]''. | ||
Away from films, Menon is a leading Indian advertising director, and runs Rajiv Menon Productions and Mindscreen Film Institute, which supplies equipment for documentaries, advertising films and cinemas.<ref name="indiatimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-have-6-scripts-that-are-ready-Rajiv-Menon/articleshow/46957942.cms|title=I have 6 scripts that are ready: Rajiv Menon|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="thehindu.com1">{{cite | Away from films, Menon is a leading Indian advertising director, and runs Rajiv Menon Productions and Mindscreen Film Institute, which supplies equipment for documentaries, advertising films and cinemas.<ref name="indiatimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-have-6-scripts-that-are-ready-Rajiv-Menon/articleshow/46957942.cms|title=I have 6 scripts that are ready: Rajiv Menon|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="thehindu.com1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/rajiv-menons-institute-offers-course-in-cinematography/article3129207.ece|title=Rajiv Menon's institute offers course in cinematography|work=The Hindu|date=6 May 2006}}</ref> | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
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===Critical acclaim, 1996–2000=== | ===Critical acclaim, 1996–2000=== | ||
[[AVM Productions]] wanted to make a film to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 1997 and signed on [[Prabhu Deva]] to play a lead role and [[A. R. Rahman]] to score the music for a potential project. The production studio revealed that they were looking for a new director and Rahman suggested the name of Rajiv Menon to make his directorial debut.<ref>{{cite web | title= A. R. Rahman: Summary Biography | work=A. R. Rahman: A Biography | url= http://members.tripod.com/gopalhome/arrbio.html | year= 1997 | access-date=9 April 2011}}</ref> Menon thought about the offer for two months and was ultimately convinced by Rahman and [[Mani Ratnam]] to accept the project titled ''[[Minsara Kanavu]]''.<ref name="rediffint">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04rajv.htm |title=Rediff On The Net, Movies:An interview with Rajiv Menon | | [[AVM Productions]] wanted to make a film to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 1997 and signed on [[Prabhu Deva]] to play a lead role and [[A. R. Rahman]] to score the music for a potential project. The production studio revealed that they were looking for a new director and Rahman suggested the name of Rajiv Menon to make his directorial debut.<ref>{{cite web | title= A. R. Rahman: Summary Biography | work=A. R. Rahman: A Biography | url= http://members.tripod.com/gopalhome/arrbio.html | year= 1997 | access-date=9 April 2011}}</ref> Menon thought about the offer for two months and was ultimately convinced by Rahman and [[Mani Ratnam]] to accept the project titled ''[[Minsara Kanavu]]''.<ref name="rediffint">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04rajv.htm |title=Rediff On The Net, Movies:An interview with Rajiv Menon |work=Rediff.com |date=4 April 1997 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> [[Arvind Swamy]] was then signed up for a role as was Hindi actress [[Kajol]], to make her debut in Tamil films. The film was released in January 1997 and was successful at the Chennai box office, notably outperforming [[Mani Ratnam]]'s political drama ''[[Iruvar]]'' (1997), which was released on the same day. After audiences were initially unhappy with the sad climax of the film, distributors reverted and used an alternate ending which had also been shot for the film.<ref name="rediffint"/> A critic from Indolink.com gave the film a positive review, stating that "''Minsara Kanavu'' is again a triangular love story with a little difference. It has good entertainment value, awesome cinematography and excellent songs and choreographed dances."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/minsaara.htm |title=MInsaara Kanavu |publisher=Indolink.com |access-date=10 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221254/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/minsaara.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The film was partially re-shot and released by ABC Films in October 1997 in Hindi as ''Sapnay'' to capitalise on [[Kajol]]'s popularity in Northern India, earning above average reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/6D204B9DF65DC73D65256941003DC8F9 |title=Sapnay - The Indian Express |date=26 October 1997 |access-date=10 May 2012 }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | ||
After the success of his maiden venture, Menon was signed by producer [[Kalaipuli S. Thanu]] to direct a film under his production in the final quarter of 1998. Menon announced he had begun pre-production work on a project titled ''Theekkul Viralai Vaithal'' during November 1998, with the title taken from a line by [[Subramania Bharati]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/16ss.htm|title=Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry|website=m.rediff.com}}</ref><ref name="dhanu">{{cite web|author=Rajitha |title=Do not disturb: Now a multi-lingual multi-starrer |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/feb/12ss.htm |date=12 February 1999 |publisher=[[Rediff]] |access-date=2009-05-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215092929/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/feb/12ss.htm |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> Menon subsequently wanted a bigger storyline and scripted a screenplay based on the [[Jane Austen]] novel, ''[[Sense and Sensibility]]'' and the project was renamed as ''Kandukondain Kandukondain''. Menon claimed that the story of two sisters reflected in the film were reminiscent of him and his brother through difficult parts of their lives.<ref name="rajivint">{{cite web|last=Warrier |first=Shobha |title=The director has to make each one feel special |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/apr/05rajiv.htm |date=5 April 2000 |publisher=[[Rediff]] |access-date=2011-01-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025093608/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/apr/05rajiv.htm |archive-date=25 October 2012 }}</ref> Featuring an ensemble cast of actors including [[Mammootty]], [[Ajith Kumar]], [[Abbas (actor)|Abbas]], [[Aishwarya Rai]] and [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], the film was highly anticipated prior to release owing to its high production values and popular soundtrack by Rahman. After most of the production was complete in November 1999, Menon wanted a rough copy of the film to be previewed by the village audience first, to ensure that they could relate to the subject, after his previous film failed to fare well in rural areas.<ref name="rajivint"/> After showing parts of the film, they eventually held a group discussion before thanking the volunteers with gifts, while receiving positive feedback.<ref name="rajivint"/> | After the success of his maiden venture, Menon was signed by producer [[Kalaipuli S. Thanu]] to direct a film under his production in the final quarter of 1998. Menon announced he had begun pre-production work on a project titled ''Theekkul Viralai Vaithal'' during November 1998, with the title taken from a line by [[Subramania Bharati]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/16ss.htm|title=Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry|website=m.rediff.com}}</ref><ref name="dhanu">{{cite web|author=Rajitha |title=Do not disturb: Now a multi-lingual multi-starrer |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/feb/12ss.htm |date=12 February 1999 |publisher=[[Rediff]] |access-date=2009-05-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215092929/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/feb/12ss.htm |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> Menon subsequently wanted a bigger storyline and scripted a screenplay based on the [[Jane Austen]] novel, ''[[Sense and Sensibility]]'' and the project was renamed as ''Kandukondain Kandukondain''. Menon claimed that the story of two sisters reflected in the film were reminiscent of him and his brother through difficult parts of their lives.<ref name="rajivint">{{cite web|last=Warrier |first=Shobha |title=The director has to make each one feel special |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/apr/05rajiv.htm |date=5 April 2000 |publisher=[[Rediff]] |access-date=2011-01-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025093608/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/apr/05rajiv.htm |archive-date=25 October 2012 }}</ref> Featuring an ensemble cast of actors including [[Mammootty]], [[Ajith Kumar]], [[Abbas (actor)|Abbas]], [[Aishwarya Rai]] and [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], the film was highly anticipated prior to release owing to its high production values and popular soundtrack by Rahman. After most of the production was complete in November 1999, Menon wanted a rough copy of the film to be previewed by the village audience first, to ensure that they could relate to the subject, after his previous film failed to fare well in rural areas.<ref name="rajivint"/> After showing parts of the film, they eventually held a group discussion before thanking the volunteers with gifts, while receiving positive feedback.<ref name="rajivint"/> | ||
Made on a budget of {{INR}}4 crore, the film opened to positive reviews from film critics. The [[Indian Express]] stated that it was "a progressive film encouraging female independence, yet staying a warm family tale in essence" and that "''Kandukondain Kandukondain'' is the kind of film every intelligent movie-goer ought not to miss", making it "a wonderful watch".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |title=Movie reviews |publisher=Expressindia.com |date=2000-07-10 |access-date=2012-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014072652/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |title=Sorry |work=Indian Express |access-date=2012-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030429043410/http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |archive-date=29 April 2003 }}</ref> The film successfully completed 150 days at the box office in Tamil Nadu, becoming a box office success.<ref>;http://www.screenindia.com/old/20010119/renews.htm<{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Menon chose to bring the film to North Indian audiences too, but opted against dubbing the film and submitted a final copy with English subtitles. He felt that the strong elements of [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] music, [[Subramanya Bharathi]]'s poetry and the ambience of [[Karaikudi]], were exclusively made for a Tamil backdrop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2002/09/30/stories/2002093000150400.htm |title=Catering to a larger audience |publisher=The Hindu Business Line |date=2002-09-30 |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/filmmaker-rajiv-menon-releases-tamil-film-kandukondain-kandukondain-with-english-subtitles/1/246015.html |title=Filmmaker Rajiv Menon releases Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain with English subtitles : YOUR WEEK - India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2000-08-14 |access-date=2014-08-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212193722/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/filmmaker-rajiv-menon-releases-tamil-film-kandukondain-kandukondain-with-english-subtitles/1/246015.html |archive-date=12 February 2015 }}</ref> The film was showcased at the Regus London Film Festival in November 2011, and critics from the UK newspaper [[The Guardian]] rated it as amongst the top 12 films out of 270. Critic [[Peter Bradshaw]] noted it "is an entertaining reinvention of the novel" and adds that "the richly complicated plot allows it to be exuberantly transposed to modern-day India", ranking it alongside [[Ang Lee]]'s ''[[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]]'' and [[Cameron Crowe]]'s ''[[Almost Famous]]''.<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20001108/ien08034.html |title=Kandukondain rated one of top 12 films at London fest |publisher=Expressindia.indianexpress.com |date=2000-11-08 |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/09/stories/09090221.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140814234611/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/09/stories/09090221.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-08-14 |title=West End success story |date=2000-11-09 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/08/stories/0408401c.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150112020703/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/08/stories/0408401c.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-01-12|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=2000-11-08|title=Talk of the Town}}</ref> Menon showed the film across the world, including having screenings at the Washington Film Festival in April 2001, Locarno Film Festival in August 2002 and the Tiburon International Film Festival in March 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tiburonfilmfestival.com/filmInfo.php?film_id=1125 |title=Tiburon International Film Festival |publisher=Tiburonfilmfestival.com |date=2004-03-14 |access-date=2014-08-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023352/http://www.tiburonfilmfestival.com/filmInfo.php?film_id=1125 |archive-date= 5 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jul/17locar.htm |title=Movies: Aamir at an Indian Summer in Locarno | | Made on a budget of {{INR}}4 crore, the film opened to positive reviews from film critics. The [[Indian Express]] stated that it was "a progressive film encouraging female independence, yet staying a warm family tale in essence" and that "''Kandukondain Kandukondain'' is the kind of film every intelligent movie-goer ought not to miss", making it "a wonderful watch".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |title=Movie reviews |publisher=Expressindia.com |date=2000-07-10 |access-date=2012-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014072652/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000710/ien08001.html |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |title=Sorry |work=Indian Express |access-date=2012-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030429043410/http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000808/ien06038.html |archive-date=29 April 2003 }}</ref> The film successfully completed 150 days at the box office in Tamil Nadu, becoming a box office success.<ref>;http://www.screenindia.com/old/20010119/renews.htm<{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Menon chose to bring the film to North Indian audiences too, but opted against dubbing the film and submitted a final copy with English subtitles. He felt that the strong elements of [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] music, [[Subramanya Bharathi]]'s poetry and the ambience of [[Karaikudi]], were exclusively made for a Tamil backdrop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2002/09/30/stories/2002093000150400.htm |title=Catering to a larger audience |publisher=The Hindu Business Line |date=2002-09-30 |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/filmmaker-rajiv-menon-releases-tamil-film-kandukondain-kandukondain-with-english-subtitles/1/246015.html |title=Filmmaker Rajiv Menon releases Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain with English subtitles : YOUR WEEK - India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2000-08-14 |access-date=2014-08-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212193722/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/filmmaker-rajiv-menon-releases-tamil-film-kandukondain-kandukondain-with-english-subtitles/1/246015.html |archive-date=12 February 2015 }}</ref> The film was showcased at the Regus London Film Festival in November 2011, and critics from the UK newspaper [[The Guardian]] rated it as amongst the top 12 films out of 270. Critic [[Peter Bradshaw]] noted it "is an entertaining reinvention of the novel" and adds that "the richly complicated plot allows it to be exuberantly transposed to modern-day India", ranking it alongside [[Ang Lee]]'s ''[[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]]'' and [[Cameron Crowe]]'s ''[[Almost Famous]]''.<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20001108/ien08034.html |title=Kandukondain rated one of top 12 films at London fest |publisher=Expressindia.indianexpress.com |date=2000-11-08 |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/09/stories/09090221.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140814234611/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/09/stories/09090221.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-08-14 |title=West End success story |date=2000-11-09 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/08/stories/0408401c.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150112020703/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/08/stories/0408401c.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-01-12|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=2000-11-08|title=Talk of the Town}}</ref> Menon showed the film across the world, including having screenings at the Washington Film Festival in April 2001, Locarno Film Festival in August 2002 and the Tiburon International Film Festival in March 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tiburonfilmfestival.com/filmInfo.php?film_id=1125 |title=Tiburon International Film Festival |publisher=Tiburonfilmfestival.com |date=2004-03-14 |access-date=2014-08-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023352/http://www.tiburonfilmfestival.com/filmInfo.php?film_id=1125 |archive-date= 5 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jul/17locar.htm |title=Movies: Aamir at an Indian Summer in Locarno |work=rediff.com |access-date=2014-08-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033710/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jul/17locar.htm |archive-date= 4 March 2016 }}</ref> Menon discussed the potential of a Hindi version of the film with director [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]] and actor [[Irrfan Khan]] but the project did not materialise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/movies/features/twenty-years-of-kandukondein-kandukondein-rajiv-menon-on-putting-together-the-ensemble-project-and-why-it-has-endured/|title = Twenty Years of 'Kandukondein Kandukondein': Rajiv Menon on Putting Together the Ensemble Project, and Why It Has Endured|date = 3 May 2020}}</ref> | ||
===Recent projects, 2001–present=== | ===Recent projects, 2001–present=== | ||
The release of Menon's second and third feature films were separated by eighteen years. In early 2001, Menon began writing ''Spin'', a [[Hinglish]] film based on a real-life relationship between a child with [[muscular dystrophy]] and cricketer [[Anil Kumble]], who was set to play the lead role. The project however did not materialise, and he stopped working on revising the script soon after.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20011119174410/http://www.screenindia.com/20010907/rtam.html</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I-have-stories-to-tell/articleshow/39850675.cms|title='I have stories to tell' - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/2001/mar/31tt.htm|title=rediff.com, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry: Anil Kumble to act?!|website=m.rediff.com}}</ref> In 2006, Menon worked on a Hindi adaptation of the comedy drama ''[[Fiddler on the Roof (film)|Fiddler on the Roof]]'', and hoped to sign [[Amitabh Bachchan]] to play the lead role. However, the project was put on hold and eventually did not materialise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2007/01/28/interview-rajiv-menon/|title=Interview: Rajiv Menon|date=28 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santabanta.com/bollywood/11459/amitabh-could-be-in-indian-version-of-fiddler-on-the-roof/|title=Amitabh could be in Indian version of 'Fiddler on the Roof'|website=www.santabanta.com}}</ref> Menon later narrated a script to [[Aishwarya Rai]] and [[Abhishek Bachchan]] for a project titled ''Dhun'' during late 2008, and the pair agreed to work on the film. The script was inspired by [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]]'s ''[[Abhimaan (1973 film)|Abhimaan]]'' (1973) but failed to take off after the actors became busy with other projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/03abhi.htm|title=Abhishek-Ash in Abhimaan 2|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/roja-was-my-benchmark-says-a-r-rahman/|title=Roja was my benchmark, says A R Rahman - Rajeev Masand – movies that matter : from bollywood, hollywood and everywhere else|website=www.rajeevmasand.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rajiv-menons-abhi--ash-starrer-is-titled--dhun-/428770/|title=Rajiv Menon's Abhi - Ash starrer is titled 'Dhun'|work=Indian Express}}</ref> Menon then agreed to work on a biopic of [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] singer [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]] for producer Somaprasad during January 2012, which would be based on the book ''MS, A Life In Music'' by [[T. J. S. George]]. However, in February 2013, Menon confirmed that he would begin work on an unrelated project with a similar script and a bigger budget, and that [[Vidya Balan]] had agreed to essay the lead role of the singer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/vidya-balan-to-play-subbulakshmi-in-biopic-153960-2013-02-13|title=Vidya to play Subbulakshmi in Rajiv Menon biopic|agency=IANS|date=February 13, 2013|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainmenttags/aishwarya-rai/why-aishwarya-opted-out-menon-s-biopic-ms-subbulakshmi|title=Why Aishwarya opted out of Menon's biopic on MS Subbulakshmi?|website=PINKVILLA}}</ref> Soon after the project was confirmed, Somaprasad filed for a stay on the film's production and subsequently won a court case to prevent Menon from making the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Trouble-for-MS-Subbulakshmi-biopic/articleshow/19068752.cms|title=Trouble for MS Subbulakshmi biopic? - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Bangalorean-wins-MS-film-case/articleshow/40435668.cms|title=Bangalorean wins MS film case - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Apart from writing and scrapping potential film ideas, Menon continued work as a teacher at his film institute and as a director for advertisements. He also worked with [[Mani Ratnam]] as the cinematographer for the director's films, ''[[Guru (2007 film)|Guru]]'' (2007) and ''[[Kadal (2013 film)|Kadal]]'' (2013).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/music-is-a-medium-that-allows-you-to-fly-beyond-your-caste-rajiv-menon/articleshow/67076269.cms|title=Music is a medium that allows you to fly beyond your caste: Rajiv Menon - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite | The release of Menon's second and third feature films were separated by eighteen years. In early 2001, Menon began writing ''Spin'', a [[Hinglish]] film based on a real-life relationship between a child with [[muscular dystrophy]] and cricketer [[Anil Kumble]], who was set to play the lead role. The project however did not materialise, and he stopped working on revising the script soon after.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010907/rtam.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011119174410/http://www.screenindia.com/20010907/rtam.html|archive-date = 19 November 2001|title = Entertainment News: Latest Bollywood & Hollywood News, Today's Entertainment News Headlines}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I-have-stories-to-tell/articleshow/39850675.cms|title='I have stories to tell' - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/2001/mar/31tt.htm|title=rediff.com, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry: Anil Kumble to act?!|website=m.rediff.com}}</ref> In 2006, Menon worked on a Hindi adaptation of the comedy drama ''[[Fiddler on the Roof (film)|Fiddler on the Roof]]'', and hoped to sign [[Amitabh Bachchan]] to play the lead role. However, the project was put on hold and eventually did not materialise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2007/01/28/interview-rajiv-menon/|title=Interview: Rajiv Menon|date=28 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santabanta.com/bollywood/11459/amitabh-could-be-in-indian-version-of-fiddler-on-the-roof/|title=Amitabh could be in Indian version of 'Fiddler on the Roof'|website=www.santabanta.com}}</ref> Menon later narrated a script to [[Aishwarya Rai]] and [[Abhishek Bachchan]] for a project titled ''Dhun'' during late 2008, and the pair agreed to work on the film. The script was inspired by [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]]'s ''[[Abhimaan (1973 film)|Abhimaan]]'' (1973) but failed to take off after the actors became busy with other projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/03abhi.htm|title=Abhishek-Ash in Abhimaan 2|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/roja-was-my-benchmark-says-a-r-rahman/|title=Roja was my benchmark, says A R Rahman - Rajeev Masand – movies that matter : from bollywood, hollywood and everywhere else|website=www.rajeevmasand.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rajiv-menons-abhi--ash-starrer-is-titled--dhun-/428770/|title=Rajiv Menon's Abhi - Ash starrer is titled 'Dhun'|work=Indian Express}}</ref> Menon then agreed to work on a biopic of [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] singer [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]] for producer Somaprasad during January 2012, which would be based on the book ''MS, A Life In Music'' by [[T. J. S. George]]. However, in February 2013, Menon confirmed that he would begin work on an unrelated project with a similar script and a bigger budget, and that [[Vidya Balan]] had agreed to essay the lead role of the singer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/vidya-balan-to-play-subbulakshmi-in-biopic-153960-2013-02-13|title=Vidya to play Subbulakshmi in Rajiv Menon biopic|agency=IANS|date=February 13, 2013|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainmenttags/aishwarya-rai/why-aishwarya-opted-out-menon-s-biopic-ms-subbulakshmi|title=Why Aishwarya opted out of Menon's biopic on MS Subbulakshmi?|website=PINKVILLA}}</ref> Soon after the project was confirmed, Somaprasad filed for a stay on the film's production and subsequently won a court case to prevent Menon from making the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Trouble-for-MS-Subbulakshmi-biopic/articleshow/19068752.cms|title=Trouble for MS Subbulakshmi biopic? - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Bangalorean-wins-MS-film-case/articleshow/40435668.cms|title=Bangalorean wins MS film case - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Apart from writing and scrapping potential film ideas, Menon continued work as a teacher at his film institute and as a director for advertisements. He also worked with [[Mani Ratnam]] as the cinematographer for the director's films, ''[[Guru (2007 film)|Guru]]'' (2007) and ''[[Kadal (2013 film)|Kadal]]'' (2013).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/music-is-a-medium-that-allows-you-to-fly-beyond-your-caste-rajiv-menon/articleshow/67076269.cms|title=Music is a medium that allows you to fly beyond your caste: Rajiv Menon - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/look-whats-brewing/article4348055.ece|title=Look what's brewing|first=Sudhish|last=Kamath|newspaper=The Hindu|date=26 January 2013|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> | ||
After a brief gap in feature films, he is coming back with his latest creation, ''[[Sarvam Thaala Mayam]]'' (2019) featuring [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]]. The film is set in a musical background and tells the story of an aspiring percussionist.<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/sarvam-thaala-mayam/movie-review/67727649.cms</ref> | After a brief gap in feature films, he is coming back with his latest creation, ''[[Sarvam Thaala Mayam]]'' (2019) featuring [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]]. The film is set in a musical background and tells the story of an aspiring percussionist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/sarvam-thaala-mayam/movie-review/67727649.cms|title = Sarvam Thaala Mayam Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Sarvam Thaala Mayam by Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> | ||
==Style of work== | ==Style of work== | ||
Rajiv Menon has worked across several regional film industries in India, contributing towards English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. As a multilingual speaker, he revealed that during the making of his first few films, he would think of the dialogues in Malayalam, tape it and send it to writer [[Sujatha | Rajiv Menon has worked across several regional film industries in India, contributing towards English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. As a multilingual speaker, he revealed that during the making of his first few films, he would think of the dialogues in Malayalam, tape it and send it to writer [[Sujatha (writer)|Sujatha]], who would help interpret them into Tamil.<ref name="rediff2000"/> Although he has previously stated his desire to make a Malayalam language film, Menon has stated that the larger global reach of Tamil and Hindi films means that he is more regularly associated with such projects.<ref name="rediff2000"/> | ||
For films which he has directed, Menon has selected other cinematographers to handle the camera work, despite his own proficiency. In his directorial projects to date, he has worked with [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]], [[Ravi K. Chandran]] and [[Ravi Yadav]]. Menon stated that he prefers to be available for the cast and crew as a director, and prefers not to have cutters covering him during the process of directing the film.<ref name="sify.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=6005415&cid=2408|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414063903/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=6005415&cid=2408|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-04-14|title=Welcome to Sify.com|website=www.sify.com}}</ref> | For films which he has directed, Menon has selected other cinematographers to handle the camera work, despite his own proficiency. In his directorial projects to date, he has worked with [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]], [[Ravi K. Chandran]] and [[Ravi Yadav]]. Menon stated that he prefers to be available for the cast and crew as a director, and prefers not to have cutters covering him during the process of directing the film.<ref name="sify.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=6005415&cid=2408|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414063903/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=6005415&cid=2408|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-04-14|title=Welcome to Sify.com|website=www.sify.com}}</ref> | ||
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==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Rajiv Menon is married to a fellow advertising director, Latha, and is based out of Chennai.<ref>{{cite | Rajiv Menon is married to a fellow advertising director, Latha, and is based out of Chennai.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Fame-by-Frame/article15508759.ece|title=Fame by Frame|first=T. Krithika|last=Reddy|newspaper=The Hindu|date=6 January 2011|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The pair has two daughters, Saraswathi and Lakshmi. Menon has described music director [[A. R. Rahman]] and director [[Mani Ratnam]] as his close friends, and has suggested that he is professionally motivated by his associations with the pair.<ref name="rediff2000"/> | ||
==Filmography== | ==Filmography== | ||
| Line 73: | Line 73: | ||
! scope="col" | Notes | ! scope="col" | Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | 1997 | | style="text-align:center;" | 1997 | ||
! scope="row" | ''[[Minsara Kanavu]] | ! scope="row" | ''[[Minsara Kanavu]]'' | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Tamil language|Tamil]] | | style="text-align:center;" | [[Tamil language|Tamil]] | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | Thomas's employees, Guptan | | style="text-align:center;" | Thomas's employees, Guptan | ||
| {{No}} | | {{No}} | ||
| Line 118: | Line 118: | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | 1992 | | style="text-align:center;" | 1992 | ||
! scope="row" | ''[[Cheluvi]]'' | ! scope="row" | ''[[Cheluvi]]'' | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | [[ | | style="text-align:center;" | [[Kannada]] | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||