S. A. Chandrasekhar

S. A. Chandrasekhar
Chandrasekhar at Kanithan's audio launch
Born (1945-07-02) 2 July 1945 (age 79)
Occupations
Years active1978–present
SpouseShoba Chandrasekhar
ChildrenVijay
Vidhya (deceased)
RelativesVikranth (nephew)
S. N. Surendar (brother-in-law)

S. A Chandrasekar (born 2 July 1945) is an Indian film director, film producer, screenwriter, and actor who primarily works within Kollywood. He made his directorial debut with Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhanthai (1978), He got his breakthrough with Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981). He has directed over 70 movies in all south Indian languages, and is known for directing films focusing on social issues.[1][2]

Personal life

Chandrasekhar was born in Thangachimadam, Tamil Nadu into a Catholic Christian family.[3][4][5] His son is Vijay, who is one of the leading actors in Tamil cinema. Chandrasekhar also had a daughter named Vidya, who died at the age of two.[6] His brother-in-law, S. N. Surendar is a playback singer and voice artist. His nephew Vikranth is also an actor.[7]

Film career

Chandrasekar has directed over 70 movies in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Directors S. Shankar, Senthilnathan, C. Ranganathan, Pavithran, Majith, K. R. Jaya, M. Rajesh, Ponram, T. Shivraj & Vicky had worked with him as assistants.[8][9]

Some of his hit movies include Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981), Chattaniki Kallu Levu (1981), Nyaya Ellide (1982), Palletoori Monagadu (1983), Saatchi (1983), Vetri (1984), Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985), Sattam Oru Vilayaattu (1987), Senthoorapandi (1993), Rasigan (1994), Deva (1995), Once More (1997) and Nenjirukkum Varai (2006).

He introduced Vijay and directed several films in his formative years such as Naalaiya Theerpu (1992), Senthoorapandi (1993), Rasigan (1994), Deva (1995) and Vishnu (1995). Most of his movies are with Vijayakanth and Vijay.

He also directed Telugu movies such as Chattaniki Kallu Levu (1981) and Palletoori Monagadu (1983) with Chiranjeevi.

He has appeared in supporting roles in some movies such as Kudumbam (1984), Pudhu Yugam (1985), Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985), Neethiyin Marupakkam (1985), Enakku Nane Needipathi (1986), Vasantha Raagam (1986), Nilave Malare (1986), Neethikku Thandanai (1987), Sattam Oru Vilayaattu (1987), Innisai Mazhai (1992), Deva (1995), Priyamudan (1998), Sukran (2005) and Kodi (2016).[10]

In the early 2000s, Chandrasekhar slowed down his work as a director and focused on business interests, including on the construction of a three star hotel for his son. In 2000, he began pre-production work on a film titled Dhoosi with Sarathkumar but the project was later shelved.[11]

He turned as the lead actor at the age of 70 in Touring Talkies (2015) which is also his last directorial venture. S. A. Chandrasekhar returned after a break with a biopic on social activist Traffic Ramasamy (2018).[12] In 2019, he directed his 70th film titled Capmaari.[13]

Chandrasekhar spoke at the music launch of the movie Visiri held on 22 November 2018, at Vadapalani Prasad Lab, Chennai. He allegedly said "offering at Tirupati Hundiyal was like a bribe to the deity and one cannot pass the exam by simply making offering to a deity. If the offering to deity can help you pass the exams, you don't need to write the exams and sit at home".[14] He also said that "success can be achieved only by studying."[15] Virugambakkam police registered a FIR against Chandrasekhar on charges of hurting religious beliefs after a complaint filed by Hindu Munnani over his statements.[16][17]

Filmography

As a director, producer and writer

Year Film Credited as Language Notes
Director Producer Screenplay Story
1978 Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhandhai Green tickY Tamil
1981 Sattam Oru Iruttarai Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Nenjile Thunivirunthal Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Chattaniki Kallu Levu Green tickY Green tickY Telugu Remake of Tamil Film Sattam Oru Iruttarai
Needhi Pizhaithadhu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1982 Idhayam Pesugirathu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Pattanathu Rajakkal Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Om Shakti Green tickY Tamil
Nyaya Ellide Green tickY Green tickY Kannada Remake of Tamil Film Sattam Oru Iruttarai
1983 Balidaanam Green tickY Telugu Remake of Malayalam film Raktham
Samsaram Enbathu Veenai Green tickY Tamil
Palletoori Monagadu Green tickY Telugu Remake of Tamil Film Nenjile Thunivirunthal
Gedda Maga Green tickY Kannada Remake of Tamil Film Moondru Mugam
Geluvu Nannade Green tickY Kannada
Saatchi Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil Remake of Malayalam Film Raktham
Hasida Hebbuli Green tickY Green tickY Kannada Remake of Tamil Film Nenjile Thunivirunthal
Simha Gharjane Green tickY Green tickY Kannada
1984 Dopidi Dongalu Green tickY Telugu
Vetri Green tickY Tamil Remake of Kannada Film Geluvu Nannade
Devanthakudu Green tickY Telugu Remake of Kannada Film Geluvu Nannade
Veetuku Oru Kannagi Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Kudumbam Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1985 Pudhu Yugam Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil Remake of Kannada Film Simha Gharjane
Intiko Rudramma Green tickY Telugu
Naan Sigappu Manithan Green tickY Green tickY Tamil Remake of Bollywood Film Aaj Ki Awaaz
Balidaan Green tickY Hindi Remake of Malayalam film Raktham
Neethiyin Marupakkam Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1986 En Sabatham Green tickY Tamil
Nilave Malare Green tickY Tamil
Enakku Nane Needipathi Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Vasantha Raagam Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Sigappu Malargal Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1987 Neethikku Thandanai Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Sattam Oru Vilayaattu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Kudrat Ka Kanoon Green tickY Hindi Remake of Tamil Film Neethikku Thandanai
1988 Sudhanthira Naattin Adimaigal Green tickY Tamil
Poovum Puyalum Green tickY Tamil
Ithu Engal Neethi Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1989 Rajanadai Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1990 Azaad Desh Ke Gulam Green tickY Hindi Remake of Tamil Film Sudhanthira Naattin Adimaigal
Seetha Green tickY Tamil
Jai Shiv Shankar Green tickY Hindi Remake of Malayalam Film Vartha
1991 Nanbargal Green tickY Tamil
1992 Insaaf Ki Devi Green tickY Hindi
Mera Dil Tere Liye Green tickY Hindi Remake of Tamil Film Nanbargal
Innisai Mazhai Green tickY Tamil
Naalaiya Theerpu Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1993 Jeevan Ki Shatranj Green tickY Green tickY Hindi Remake of Tamil Film Rajanadai
Rajadurai Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Senthoorapandi Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1994 Rasigan Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1995 Deva Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Vishnu Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1996 Maanbumigu Maanavan Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1997 Once More Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
1999 Periyanna Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
Nenjinile Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2001 Dosth Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2002 Thamizhan Green tickY Tamil
Mutham Green tickY Green tickY Tamil spoke poems in the song "Oru Murai Nee"
2005 Sukran Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2006 Aathi Green tickY Tamil
2007 Nenjirukkum Varai Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2008 Pandhayam Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2010 Veluthu Kattu Green tickY Tamil
2011 Sattapadi Kutram Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2015 Touring Talkies Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2016 Nayyapudai Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2018 Traffic Ramasamy Green tickY Tamil
2019 Capmaari Green tickY Green tickY Tamil
2023 Naan Kadavul Illai Green tickY Green tickY Tamil also singer for song "Kanne Kanmaniye"[18]

As an actor

Year Film Role Notes
1981 Sattam Oru Iruttarai Hitchhiker also director
1984 Kudumbam Sekar
1985 Pudhu Yugam
Naan Sigappu Manithan Hospital Ward Boy
1986 Vasantha Raagam Chandrasekhar
1987 Sattam Oru Vilayaattu Peter
1992 Innisai Mazhai Police officer also screenplay writer
1993 Senthoorapandi guest appearance in song "Aadada Aadada" also director
1994 Rasigan guest appearance in song "Thambi Konjam"
1995 Deva Marimuthu
1998 Priyamudan CBI officer Gopal
2005 Sukran Himself also director
2015 Touring Talkies Anthony
2016 Nayyapudai Vellaichamy
Kodi Thalaivar
2018 Traffic Ramasamy Traffic Ramasamy also producer
Aaruthra Shiva's father
2019 Capmaari Police Inspector also director
2021 Maanaadu Arivazhagan
2023 Tamil Kudimagan Chinnasamy's advocate
Naan Kadavul Illai also director
Karumegangal Kalaigindrana

Television

Year Title Channel Role Language
2023–2024 Kizhakku Vaasal Star Vijay Swamiappan Tamil

References

  1. ^ cbarn. "Metro Plus Coimbatore : 'Message' man". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Vijay's father and director, SA Chandrasekhar's health stable". The News Minute. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  3. ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. ""I was born as a Christian, my wife is a Hindu": Vijay's father SA Chandrasekhar responds to allegations - CINEMA - CINE NEWS | Kerala Kaumudi Online". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  4. ^ "SA Chandrasekhar responds to Christian conversion allegations on Thalapathy Vijay". Behindwoods. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Father s 2nd marriage in front of actor Vijay.. ? Real Reason.. ?". indiaherald.com. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Birthday Special: 5 Facts About Vijay You Must Know". Yahoo Movies. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  7. ^ "Vikranth in Vishal's 'Pandianadu'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Demystifying India's highest paid film-maker — the elusive S Shankar — The Economic Times". indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  9. ^ Kamath, Sudhish (26 September 2013). "Master of Bromance". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  10. ^ SAC breaks silence on proxy direction – IBNLive. Ibnlive.in.com (2012-06-07). Retrieved on 2015-10-16.
  11. ^ "Hot New". Archived from the original on 22 February 2003.
  12. ^ "Traffic Ramasamy review:Average". Sify. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Jai's next with director SA Chandrasekhar titled Capmari". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  14. ^ "FIR filed against actor Vijay's father for comments". Deccan Chronicle. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  15. ^ "இந்துக்களை விமர்சித்து பேசியதாக திரைப்பட இயக்குநர் எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகர் மீது வழக்கு". Dinamani (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  16. ^ "விஜய்யின் தந்தை எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகர் மீது விருகம்பாக்கம் காவல்நிலையத்தில் வழக்குப்பதிவு!". Samayam Tamil (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  17. ^ "மத உணர்வுகளை புண்படுத்தியதாக வழக்கு: நடிகர் விஜய் தந்தை எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகருக்கு முன்ஜாமீன்". ThanthiTV.com. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  18. ^ "SA Chandrasekhar's Kanne en Kanmaniyae| Saindhavi | Naan Kadavul Illai Movie | Samuthirakani". YouTube. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.