R. Velraj
Rajamani Velraj is an Indian cinematographer, director and writer who primarily works in Tamil and Hindi cinema. He is well known for his camera work in films like Asuran, Aadukalam, Vada Chennai, Kadaikutty Singam and Komban, and for directing Velaiilla Pattadhari[2] and Thanga Magan.[3]
R. Velraj | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rajamani Velraj 21 October 1969 Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, cinematographer |
| Years active | 2003-present |
| Parent | S Rajamani[1] |
Personal life
Rajamani Velraj was born in a village called Kootthiyar Kundu near Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He went to PKN Boys Higher Secondary School (Tirumangalam), and studied at Madurai Sourastra College.[4]
Career
Early in his career, he was associated with cinematographer Tirru and worked as an assistant cinematographer in several Tamil films, for example Aalavandhan. After working with actor Dhanush in Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film Polladhavan directed by Vetrimaaran, for which he won the Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer.[5] Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, making films such as Aadukalam and Asuran, their most recent film. His first directional debut was Velaiilla Pattadhari, starring Dhanush and Amala Paul and with Anirudh as music director. The film was successful and Velraj won several awards for best debut director. In 2015, he directed his second film, Thanga Magan. Velraj is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers.[6]
Filmography
As cinematographer
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 23rd March 1931: Shaheed | Hindi | Ra Operator |
| 2003 | Supari | Hindi | |
| 2006 | Phir Hera Pheri | Hindi | |
| 2007 | Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram | Tamil | |
| Polladhavan | Tamil | Winner, Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer | |
| 2008 | Kabhi Bhi Kahin Bhi | Hindi | |
| Malabar Wedding | Malayalam | ||
| 2010 | Kandahar | Malayalam | Collaborated with Ravi Varman |
| 2011 | Aadukalam | Tamil | Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer (Cameo appearance) |
| Siruthai | Tamil | ||
| Engeyum Eppodhum | Tamil | Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer | |
| 2012 | 3 | Tamil | |
| Savaari | Kannada | ||
| Leelai | Tamil | ||
| 2013 | Naan Rajavaga Pogiren | Tamil | |
| Ethir Neechal | Tamil | ||
| Udhayam NH4 | Tamil | ||
| Naiyaandi | Tamil | ||
| 2014 | Velaiyilla Pattathari | Tamil | Director (Cameo appearance) |
| Poriyaalan | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) | |
| 2015 | Komban | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| Vai Raja Vai | Tamil | ||
| Paayum Puli | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) | |
| Thanga Magan | Tamil | Director (Cameo appearance) | |
| 2016 | Pugazh | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| Marudhu | Tamil | ||
| 2017 | Power Paandi | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2018 | Kadaikutty Singam | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| Vada Chennai | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) | |
| 2019 | Dev | Tamil | |
| Asuran | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) | |
| Sangathamizhan | Tamil | ||
| 2021 | Pulikkuthi Pandi | Tamil | |
| Udanpirappe | Tamil | ||
| 2022 | Veerapandiyapuram | Tamil | |
| The Legend | Tamil | ||
| Anel Meley Pani Thuli | Tamil | ||
| Pettaikaali | Tamil | (TV series) | |
| Kuttram Kuttrame | Tamil | ||
| 2023 | Viduthalai | Tamil | [7] |
As director
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Velaiilla Pattadhari | Tamil | Winner, Edison Award for Best Debut Director Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Cameo as Traffic Police |
| 2015 | Thanga Magan | Tamil | Cameo as Ramalingam |
As actor
- Poriyalan (2014)
- Kaalidas (2019)
- Asuran (2019)
- Udanpirappe (2021)
- Kuttram Kuttrame (2022)
Awards
- 2007- Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer for Pollathavan
- 2011- Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Aadukalam.[8]
- 2011- SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer for Aadukalam
- 2014-SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director for Velaiyilla Pattathari
- 2019-SIIMA Award for Best cinematographer for Asuran
References
- The Times of India (5 July 2020). "Cinematographer-director Velraj's father passes away". Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- "Cinema cinema!". The Hindu. 31 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- Kumar, Karthik (17 December 2015). "Five Reasons Why You Don't Wanna Miss Dhanush's Thanga Magan". TheQuint. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- The Hindu (31 July 2014). "Cinema cinema!". Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- "A reluctant director". The Hindu. 19 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- "Acclaimed cinematographer Velraj gets the prestigious ISC recognition". www.zoomtventertainment.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- "Vijay Sethupathi begins dubbing for Viduthalai". OTTPlay. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South)". The Times of India. 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 July 2013.