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 and Thanga Magan.
R. Velraj | |
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Born | Rajamani Velraj 21 October 1969 Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Film director, cinematographer |
Years active | 2003-present |
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.[1]
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. 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. Velray is a member of the ISC.
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 | ||
Marina Puratchi | Tamil |
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
- Kaalidas (2019)
Awards
- 2007- Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer for Pollathavan
- 2011- Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Aadukalam.[2]
- 2011- SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer for Aadukalam
- 2014-SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director for Velaiyilla Pattathari
References
- He is married and has two sons, Sanjai and Karthi.Saravanan, T. (31 July 2014). "Cinema cinema!". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South)". 8 July 2012.