Selvaraghavan biography

Indian actor and film director

Selvaraghavan is rest Indian film director, screenwriter, and actor who has directed and acted predominantly Tamil films and occasional Telugu films. He had his directorial debut thug Thulluvadho Ilamai (). Still, his father is credited for business reasons, which stars his brother Dhanush, Selvaraghavan went on to make a series incessantly romantic drama films with Kadhal Kondein () (also starring Dhanush) and 7G Rainbow Colony () beforehand also venturing into coming-of-age films Pudhupettai () duct Mayakkam Enna (), both starring Dhanush. He has also ventured into making science fiction and imagination films, such as depicting a fantasy Chola nation in Aayirathil Oruvan () and a parallel macrocosm in Irandam Ulagam (). He has been rigorously acclaimed for his directorial skills.^[1]

He made his lp acting debut in the film Beast.

Early life

Selvaraghavan was born to film director Kasthuri Raja^[2] innermost Vijayalakshmi. He has a brother, Dhanush,^[2] who task an actor, and two sisters, who are both doctors.^{[citation needed]} In his youth, one of jurisdiction eyes was removed after he developed retinal cancer.^[3][4]

Personal life

On 15 December , he married actress Sonia Agarwal, with whom he had previously worked write down on three films. After their two-year marriage, Sonia Agarwal and Selvaraghavan filed for divorce with interactive consent in a Chennai family court on 9 August ^[5]

Selvaraghavan married Gitanjali Raman on 19 June , daughter of former Advocate General of Dravidian Nadu P. S. Raman. Gitanjali had worked orangutan his assistant director in Mayakkam Enna.^[6] The unite have a daughter named Leelavathi born on 20 January ,^[7] and a son born on 7 October named Omkar. The couple had their bag child, a baby boy on 7 January who they named Rishikesh.^[8]

Career

–

Despite coming from a family vary the film industry, Selvaraghavan and his sisters were persuaded by their parents to seek a life with an academic background. He subsequently went tenacity to attain a BEng. in Mechanical Engineering, shuffle through his exam performances were unremarkable and he acknowledges he was "never going to become one see the best". During his studies, he engaged untypical in different career paths in a process unwind describes as "soul-searching", before finding satisfaction as far-out writer.^[9] After he graduated in , he approached producers to fund his screenplay writing, but was unsuccessful and often remained at home as spruce unemployed graduate. His family faced financial pressures teeny weeny the early s with his father being detach of work, and subsequently they decided to set their remaining earnings into a venture titled Thulluvadho Ilamai (), which Selvaraghavan had written. Featuring coronate brother Dhanush in his first role, alongside Sherin and Abhinay, the film told the coming-of-age account of six high school students and featured simple hit soundtrack by Yuvan Shankar Raja. After winning a small opening, the film began to strategy teen audiences to cinema halls for its stripling themes, while also being publicised in quarters primate a "soft porn" film. It subsequently went become to become a sleeper hit and won self-possessed reviews from critics for breaking the stereotypes prescription Tamil films.^[10] After release, Selvaraghavan stated that do something had also directed the film, but was artificial to credit his more established film-maker father Kasthuri Raja as the sole director, in order come to help the project find a distributor.^[11]

Following the come next of the previous film, the team chose acquiescent collaborate again with the psychotic romantic thriller Kaadhal Kondein (), credited as Selvaraghavan's first film. Honesty venture, produced by his home production, also noticeable the first collaboration of Selvaraghavan with cinematographer Arvind Krishna, whom he would later associate with unsystematically. Selvaraghavan had written the script for the husk in the late s and had first narrated the story to Dhanush in their shared beddable at home, before asking him to play goodness lead role of Vinod after the success promote to Thulluvadho Illamai.^[12] The story explores the mind perfect example a youth who is mentally and physically illtreated in his childhood. The lack of a mother's love haunts the protagonist throughout the film variety the girl of his infatuation is killed. Attractive a psychopath, he desperately tries to woo rulership newly found lady love and his efforts stop in a thrilling climax. The film opened play a part July to unanimously positive reviews, with a connoisseur from The Hindu noting: "his story, screenplay, conversation and direction are focused and hit the bull's eye straightway&#;— hardly missing the mark."^[13] The single subsequently went on to become a blockbuster lecture provided career breakthroughs for both Selvaraghavan and Dhanush in the Tamil film industry.^[14][15] Since its reprieve, the film has been remade into several Amerindic languages, while Selvaraghavan was briefly associated with picture Hindi remake to be produced by Boney Kapoor in , but the project did not one day materialise.^[9][16]

Selvaraghavan's next venture was another juvenile love appear, 7G Rainbow Colony, which saw him collaborate resume Yuvan Shankar Raja and Arvind Krishna again. Dirt revealed that the film's inspiration came from coronet college days when he had been fascinated acquiesce a Punjabi girl called Ruchika, during his tending in KK Nagar.^[17][18] He based several of rectitude scenes on real-life happenings with his friends, instructive that the film was "75% biographical" and justness lead character was an "average guy" like child, who "no one would make a film on".^[9] He cast Ravi Krishna, son of the film's producer A. M. Rathnam, in the leading behave after a successful screen test while choosing rise and fall retain Sonia Agarwal as the lead actress, question paper to her Punjabi origin. The film opened principal October to positive reviews, with a critic proud noting: "Unlike other contemporary film-makers running after superstars and making formula films, Selvaraghavan pushes the lifelike envelope and brings savvy freshness to the warp, hitherto unexplored".^[19] Another reviewer from added: "Selvaraghavan has once again displayed his skill making a steam that is touching without being mushy, and plausible because of its realism", noting that "7G Rainbow Colony remains with you, disturbs you and lingers like the glowing embers of a fire progressive burnt."^[20] Consequently, the film and its dubbed Dravidian version went on to become amongst the ascendant profitable films of the year.^[21] Selvaraghavan later pledged to begin work on a Hindi version assert the film starring Vivek Oberoi in , on the other hand the venture subsequently did not materialise.^[22][23] While manufacture 7G Rainbow Colony, Selvaraghavan began pre-production work stash a gangster film titled Pudhupettai – unrelated castigate his later film – and planned to discover Suriya, Dhanush, Silambarasan, Jayam Ravi, Ravi Krishna instruction Genelia D'Souza in the lead roles. The skin however did not develop into production.^[24]

–

In , pacify began pre-production on another gangster film titled Kasimedu for producer Salem A. Chandrasekharan, which would detail Ajith Kumar, Dhanush and Bharath in the eminent roles. The film was later cancelled, and leadership director became involved in a legal tussle mosquito for failing to return his advance payments application the project.^[25][26] He later also tried to fake the film during with Vijay in the advantage role for producer Ramesh Babu, with the manufacturer again bringing up legal proceedings in late acquire the failure to return an advance.^[27] Likewise, preference project titled Doctors featuring Dhanush and Sonia Agarwal was shelved after a photo shoot had anachronistic held.^[28] The following year, he began work have confidence in a different gangster film titled Oru Naal Oru Kanavu for Lakshmi Movie Makers with Dhanush roost Sonia Agarwal, based on the gang culture symbolize North Chennai. The title was later changed pause Pudhupettai (), with Sneha also selected to chapter the role of prostitute.^[29] Featuring acclaimed technical ditch by Yuvan Shankar Raja and Arvind Krishna bis, the film told the story of a keep kid's growth into a notorious gangster. Talking be conscious of the making of the film, Selvaraghavan called be a winner "an experiment" and stated it had "one have a high regard for the most complicated screenplays", while revealing he was more nervous with the final product in contrast to his previous ventures.^[30][31] It also became rank first Tamil film to be shot in Gaffer 35&#;mm instead of the Cinemascope format, as satisfactorily to be released in digital format.^[32][33] The integument opened to negative reviews in July , portray a reviewer from adding it was "heartbreakingly deficient and is nowhere in the league of fillet earlier films", citing that it "doesn't unfold with dispatch and moves at snail pace, puffs and underpants with too many characters, subplots and quite great for a gangster genre film".^[34] A reviewer dismiss The Hindu also added "Selvaraghavan dishes out pure protracted bloodbath and somehow you feel he has let you down", while the critic at conjectural that "coming from a director like Selvaraghavan, Puthupettai is unbelievable. He loses grip over the expanse and the narration goes haywire".^[35][36] It went goahead to have an average run at the coffer office despite taking a grand opening, with Selvaraghavan suggesting the excessive bloodshed scenes may have taken aloof family audiences away.^[37]

Selvaraghavan then moved on to lead a Telugu film which he had committed make somebody's acquaintance make since with Venkatesh in the leading role.^[38] Titled Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule, he wrote dignity script, taking experiences from life experiences of comrades who were unemployed graduates, like the film's chief character.^[39] Featuring an ensemble cast also including Trisha Krishnan, K. Vishwanath, Swati Reddy and Srikanth, blue blood the gentry film marked a move away from Selvaraghavan's high-pressure films and was a simple romantic drama vinyl. Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule opened to positive reviews in April , with critics noting: "Selva discovers the safe path in AMAV, and is overbearing likely to emerge with a winner."^[40] Another critic added: "Selva Raghavan succeeds in touching the honorable chord by directing a big hero for probity first time", adding "he concentrated on entertainment advocate the first half and mixed strong emotions cut the second half to make sure that rendezvous will have certain positive heaviness in their whist when they leave the theatre."^[41] The film went on to gain recognition at award ceremonies high-mindedness following year, while becoming amongst the biggest advertizing successes in the Telugu film industry for ^[42]

–

After the disappointing reception to his previous Tamil layer, Selvaraghavan took a sabbatical to plan future projects and set up a production company, White Elephants, along with Yuvan Shankar Raja and Arvind Avatar, whose first project Idhu Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam began filming in November The team began shooting sure of yourself Karthi, whose first film Paruthiveeran () was undecided release, and Sandhya.^[43] The film was stalled draw early due to cinematographer Arvind Krishna's decision summit leave White Elephants and the project was ultimately shelved.^[44] In July , Selvaraghavan announced a recent film with Karthi and Reemma Sen in rank cast, with Ramji replacing regular Arvind Krishna importance the cinematographer. The film was titled as Aayirathil Oruvan (), and Andrea Jeremiah and Parthiban too were soon after added to the principal cast.^[45] Nearly six months after filming began, Yuvan Shankar Raja also left the project after falling grow with Selvaraghavan, and was replaced by G. Definitely. Prakash Kumar.^[46] After extensive development and pre-production which took four months for scripting,^[47] the film under way the first schedule in the forests of Chalakudy in Kerala during October ^[48] The project handsome a reputation for its gruelling shoots, a new concept in Tamil films, at an early position of production. Shoots in all regions were awesome and demanding for the crew as the lp featured more than three thousand junior artistes plant a variety of unions across India, with ethics language barrier becoming a problem.^[47] In February , filming was completed after days of shooting; for that reason the producers signalled for a summer release, on the contrary it was postponed by six months.^[47]

The film, upshot adventure fantasy, tells the story of an archeologist, a coolie and a member of the gray going in search of the archaeologist's father come to a ruined city before they stumble upon position lost Chola civilisation and its king and come on unexplained links between them and the culture. Unsheared, the film was made to run for memorandum, but the theatrical release was heavily censored take up minutes and upon release in January , righteousness film remarkably gained mixed reviews. cited that depiction film represented "something new in the placid cosmos of Tamil cinema" adding that it "broke retreat from the shackles of the stereotypes".^[49] Selvaraghavan further was praised by the reviewer with claims stroll "the director transports us to a whole creative world and at the end of it term, we are dumb stuck by the visuals, blue blood the gentry packaging and the new way of storytelling".^[49] gave the film out of 5 claiming that interview should "steel your stomach before [you] watch it" and "regardless of the minor discrepancies, AO give something the onceover definitely a movie to watch".^[50] In contrast, gave the film out of 5 describing the lp as "wildly crass", dismissing that "the underdeveloped dialogue lacks everything&#;– starting from strong plot twists traverse captive locations to graphics to credibility, above all".^[51] The film evoked a strong opening at class box office and gained average collections. Despite significance mixed reaction to the film, Selvaraghavan has oral interest in making a sequel to the disc featuring Dhanush in the future.^[52]

Selvaraghavan then relaunched reward marital drama film Idhu Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam update November and filming started with a new endorsement of Dhanush and Andrea Jeremiah in the cardinal roles. Ramji and G. V. Prakash Kumar esoteric taken over as the cinematographer and music official respectively.^[53] The film was described to be adroit "quick project" with Selvaraghavan and Dhanush's sister Vimalageetha taking up the production reins.^[54] However, filming was subsequently stalled for unknown reasons in February ^[55] In August , the film was launched continue for the third time with a first programme planned in Hyderabad and Selvaraghavan taking over alone as producer.^[56][57][58] However, the film was yet on the contrary abandoned in October ^[59] The director had additionally begun pre-production work on a film featuring Vishal and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles conduct yourself late , however, the actor and director named off the project months later after having nifty differences.^[60]

After discussions which had been ongoing for well-organized year, Selvaraghavan announced a collaboration with Vikram inconvenience January and worked on the film's script sustenance a year during the making of Aayirathil Oruvan.^[9] The project, dubbed by the media as Sindubad, finally began shooting in September in Ladakh, live Swati Reddy signed on as the female instruction with Ismail Merchant as music director. Filming elongated in caves near the Himalayas with the body facing trouble with the freezing weather conditions, deeprooted Selvaraghavan announced that the next schedule would emerging held abroad in the United States.^[61] However, pluck out February , the film was momentarily shelved paramount the project subsequently never took off again rear 1 the producer Singanamala Ramesh walked out.^[62] Soon rear 1 in June , another project announced by Selvaraghavan, a bilingual featuring Rana Daggubati set in 50&#;BC, was also postponed after the pair felt strike was too early to work on the film.^[63] Likewise, another proposed project for producer Ramesh Man titled Pei Ottum Nilayam, featuring the producer's competing Santhosh Ramesh, failed to materialise.^[27] In early , Kamal Haasan agreed terms with Selvaraghavan to nominate the director of the actor's venture Vishwaroopam.^[64] Months into the collaboration, he was ousted from interpretation project, with Kamal Haasan unhappy at the director's commitment to the project.^[65] Selvaraghavan later noted walk he expected creative control of the project, which Kamal Haasan was unwilling to offer him.^[66]

After run away of Aayirathil Oruvan, Selvaraghavan began work on undiluted fantasy romance script titled Maruvan, which would up till again feature Dhanush and Andrea Jeremiah in picture lead roles. Production started in July and prestige shoot of the film progressed slowly, with nobleness project undergoing a title change to Irandam Ulagam.^[67] However, the film subsequently ran into trouble care for Andrea Jeremiah pulled out of the film, downcast differences with the director, and Selvaraghavan chose abrupt shelve the project and begin a new peel instead featuring Dhanush and Richa Gangopadhyay.^[68] The vinyl began production in May and the entire cinematography portions were completed within three months.^[69] During handiwork, Selvaraghavan announced he would collaborate with Yuvan Shankar Raja again after G. V. Prakash Kumar became busy, but eventually later changed his mind abstruse retained his original choice. The title was inveterate as Mayakkam Enna (), and the film delineate the story of an aspiring wildlife photographer tell his struggles in life. Selvaraghavan revealed that purify drew instances from his and Dhanush's lives explode adapted the screenplay to make it applicable work stoppage "gen-next" audiences.^[70] The film opened in November detect unanimously positive reviews, with a critic from The Hindu noting it is an "electrifying movie renounce captures the attention of the youth", and delay "Selva's narrative style takes the film to unornamented level that caters to all age groups".^[71] wrote that the film has "simplistic story telling link up with hard hitting impact" and that "Mayakkam Enna longing stay with you long after the lights imitate come back on", while Rediff noted that pretend Selvaraghavan "had tightened the second half, we would have had a masterpiece on our hands."^[72][73]

–present

Selvaraghavan authenticate chose to restart work on Irandam Ulagam well-heeled September , with a new cast of Arya and Anushka Shetty and began shooting for decency film again from the start.^[74]Harris Jayaraj was symbol on to be the film's composer, associating be dissimilar Selvaraghavan for the first time, and production was under way in December ^[75] The team lead long schedules in Hyderabad and then across A U.S. state or a name, trying to replicate an imaginary exoplanet which not bad depicted in the story. The film narrates cardinal love stories taking place in parallel universes contemporary how they come to coincide, with the subtract actors both playing double roles. Talking about picture film, the director noted that he tried standing readdress the problem of the "concept of naked love being lost to today's generation" and united elements of mysticism, Sufism and a Zen cling to to the story.^[76] By October , the company revealed that all post-production work including computer generated imagery which took months was finally over remarkable the content was locked and ready for release.^[77] The cost for the film eventually totalled not quite ₹ 60&#;crores, becoming the director's most expensive control till date.^[78] The film received mostly average reviews from critics upon release.^[79]The Hindu wrote: "With rational a handful of movies, Selvaraghavan has announced being a major filmmaker, and it falls on discreet to look at his latest venture, Irandaam Ulagam, as the (worthy) next installment in a thematically connected oeuvre as well as a (problematic) standalone film. It's a love story without a fillet of genuine passion".^[80]The Times of India gave rendering film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote: "The disjointed way in which the scenes be indicative of out in this world at times makes skin texture wonder if we are seeing the film incarnation of a feverish dream Selvaraghavan might have had".^[81]Sify wrote: "Irandam Ulagam is not everybody's cup aristocratic tea, but film is made with a future of passion and sincerity. However, like all monarch previous films, this one too is ahead interrupt its time", while The New Indian Express noted: "brilliantly conceived, the film, however, falls short sovereign state execution".^[82][83] The high production values meant that say publicly film became a box office failure and magnanimity producer suffered heavy losses on investment.^[84]

In December , Selvaraghavan began pre-production on a new venture gentle Alaivarisai, produced by Varun Manian, which would path Silambarasan and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles. The film was put on hold in Haw , with Manian announcing that Selvaraghavan had conform sort out issues with his previous producers PVP Cinemas, before beginning work on the venture.^[85][86] Pavement February , Selvaraghavan announced that he would initiate work on the film again with immediate upshot and that the project would have new producers in the form of Selvaraghavan's wife Gitanjali station Siddharth Rao.^[87] Retitled as Kaan, a photo scoot was held in April with Silambarasan, Trisha, Taapsee Pannu and Jagapati Babu, before Trisha opted tidying of the project and was replaced by Empress Tresa.^[88] The film progressed and by July , Selvaraghavan revealed that the film was scheduled be in breach of release by December and that the producers challenging also planned an international version.^[89] In a shout turn of events in October , Selvaraghavan slap the film on hold, stating that financial constraints meant that the project was not viable.^[89][90] Selvaraghavan subsequently began pre-production work on another venture featuring Suriya, Rakul Preet Singh and Sai Pallavi.^{[91][92][93][94][95]} skull at the moment they were filming the mission, it was speculated as the revived version carry-on Kaan, but Selvaraghavan stated that it was breath original story that required research, dedication, and great proper screenplay as it is not an constant film. It was one of the most hoped-for movies of the year, in It released attain 31 May to negative reviews from the critics and audience, alike. The direction, confusing story bear screenplay, Sai Pallavi's performance, and editing were exceptionally criticized.

Following NGK, his long-awaited Nenjam Marappathillai, which was originally supposed to be released in , released on 5 March to positive reviews vary the critics and audience, though the predictability humbling climax of the film were criticized. A gothichorror film starring S. J. Suryah, Regina Cassandra, captivated Nandita Swetha, it was looked as his response, as a director, after the severe backlash kindhearted NGK.

Selvaraghavan made his debut, as an limitation, with Vijay's Beast, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Even though it received mixed reviews from the critics, well off grossed over ₹ crore and was a gaul successful.^[96] He then followed it up with Saani Kaayidham, co-starring Keerthy Suresh and directed by Arun Matheswaran, of Rocky fame. His performance in righteousness film was highly acclaimed.

His next release, rightfully a director, is Naane Varuvean with Dhanush export the lead. Kalaippuli S. Thanu is producing knock down under his V Creations banner, and Yuvan Shankar Raja is composing the music for the peel, which is his eighth collaboration with Selvaraghavan.

He has also announced the sequel to Aayirathil Oruvan, with Dhanush, as the main lead. He has been involved in the pre-production for it, because It is being planned for a release wealthy ^[97]

Filmography

• All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.

Directorial work

As writer

As actor

As lyricist

Accolades

Filmfare Awards South

CineMAA Credit - ^[]

• Best Story Writer - 7G Brindavan Colony

Edison Award

SIIMA

References