Raghava Lawrence
Raghava Lawrence | |
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File:Raghava Lawrence.jpg | |
Born | K Raghava Lawrence 9 January 1976[1] |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1993-present |
Raghava Lawrence is an Indian choreographer who has also appeared in films as an actor, director, composer and playback singer. After making his debut as a choreographer in 1993, he began looking for acting opportunities. He began his career as an actor in 1998, in a Telugu film, aged 22. He adopted the name "Raghava" in 2001, and worked for many prominent actors and directors in Tamil cinema throughout his career. He got his breakthrough with Telugu film Style and then Muni. Lawrence is also known for his intricate hip-hop and westernised dance moves and has won four Filmfare Awards and three Nandi Awards for best choreography. In 2015, after the death of former Indian president A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Lawrence set up a charity trust in his name and donated ₹10 million.[2][3]
Life and career
Lawrence was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu,[1] to a Tamil mother and a Tamil father.[4][unreliable source?] Lawrence had a brain tumor when he was a child and rarely went to school.[5][6] He attributes the curing of his brain tumor to the deity, Raghavendra Swamy,[7] and in an act of devotion, he took the name Raghavendra.[6] He built the Raghavendra Swamy Brindavanam Temple at Thirumullaivayal on the Avadi-Ambattur route, which opened on 1 January 2010.[8]
He was working as a car cleaner for fight master Super Subbarayan.[6] Rajinikanth saw him dancing and helped him to join the Dancers Union.[6][9] Chiranjeevi offered him the job of choreographing the dances for Hitler. Pleased with Lawrence's work, Chiranjeevi asked him to choreograph dances for Master, his next film too.[6]
Lawrence first appeared in a song in Samsara Sangeetham a Tamil film in 1989 directed by T. Rajendran. Then he appeared in Donga Police in 1991, also doing some dances with Prabhu Deva. He was a background dancer in the song Chikku Bukku Chikku Bukku Railey in Gentleman (1993).[6] He also appeared in dance sequences in Muta Mesthri (1993), Rakshana (1993) and Allari Priyudu (1993).[6] Producer T V D Prasad offered him the role of a hero in his venture Speed Dancer (1999).[6] That film was a flop.[5] After that he acted small roles in Tamil like Ajith Kumar's Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven (2000) and Prashanth's Parthen Rasithen (2000).[5] Director K. Balachander invited him to act in his 100th film Parthale Paravasam (2001).[9]
He acted as a first lead role in the Tamil movie Arpudham (2002). As described by review sify , the latest in the line is Lawrence, who like his predecessor Prabhu Deva, is determined to be a hero. Arputham has a decent screenplay and Lawrence is tolerable. Thereafter, Style (2002). He also made a guest appearance with Vijay in the Tamil movie Thirumalai (2003). After a guest appearance in the film Thendral (2004), he directed his first film in Telugu, Mass (2004) starring Akkineni Nagarjuna and Jyothika. The movie was a commercial success.[10][11]
He got his breakthrough with the Muni (2007), a horror thriller film.[12] Thereafter, he directed another film, Don (2007). The film starring Akkineni Nagarjuna and Anushka Shetty in lead roles. Raghava acted in second roles and made the film depending only on style and technical aspects. The movie had an average response.[13] Raghava continues to play in different categories films such as Pandi (2008), Rajadhi Raja (2009) and Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam (2010). Pandi was a moderate success,[14] while Rajadhi Raja and Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam were released to mixed reviews.[15][16]
He takes the series Muni in Kanchana (2011). Sarath Kumar play in the main role. The movie was commercially successful.[17] In 2012, he directed Telugu movie Rebel starring Prabhas and Tamannaah.[18] He acted in Kanchana 2 (2015). In 2017, he starred in an action Masala film, Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva. Sify described the film as, "Crass, loud and brainless."[19] Then another of genre horror Shivalinga, remake a Kannada language with the same name directed by P. Vasu. Shakthi Vasudevan, son of director, also starred in the important role for two versions. The story is a cop investigating the suspicious death of a Muslim finds out that his own wife has become possessed by the young man's ghost.[20] Raghava Lawrence is back with the fourth movie in the series - Muni 4: Kanchana 3: Kaali (2019), with the new change being three heroines.[21] The film has received a good collections at the box office.[22] In 2020, he directed a Hindi film, Laxmmi Bomb. It was a remake of Muni 2: Kanchana.[23]
Social service
He did many social service activities in which he has aided many heart surgeries for babies.[24][25][26] He was one of the supporters of the bull- embracing sport jallikattu after its ban in 2017. During a protest in Tamil Nadu in January 2017, he provided food, medicine and basic needs to the protesters and promised to support them until the protests were over.[27] He asked for an appointment with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to donate 1 crore as relief fund for the Kerala flood victims.
Filmography
Director
Film | Year | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Mass | 2004 | Telugu | Debut film as Director |
Style | 2006 | Telugu | |
Muni | 2007 | Tamil | |
Don | 2007 | Telugu | |
Muni 2: Kanchana | 2011 | Tamil | |
Rebel | 2012 | Telugu | |
Muni 3: Kanchana 2: Ganga | 2015 | Tamil | |
Muni 4: Kanchana 3: Kaali | 2019 | Tamil | |
Laxmmi Bomb | 2020 | Hindi | Remake of Muni 2: Kanchana |
Actor
Film | Year | Language | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Speed Dancer | 1999 | Telugu | Seenu | |
Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven | 2000 | Tamil | Ganapathi | |
Parthen Rasithen | 2000 | Tamil | Doss | |
Parthale Paravasam | 2001 | Tamil | Azhagu | |
Arpudham | 2002 | Tamil | Ashok Kumar | |
Style | 2002 | Tamil | Rishaanth | |
Thendral | 2004 | Tamil | Kumar | |
Style | 2006 | Telugu | Raghava | |
Muni | 2007 | Tamil | Ganesh | |
Don | 2007 | Telugu | Raghava | |
Pandi | 2008 | Tamil | Pandi | |
Rajadhi Raja | 2009 | Tamil | Raja | |
Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam | 2010 | Tamil | Singam, Singaram | |
Muni 2: Kanchana | 2011 | Tamil | Raghava | |
Muni 3: Kanchana 2 | 2015 | Tamil | Raghava, Shiva | |
Motta Siva Ketta Siva | 2017 | Tamil | ACP Shivakumar | Also playback singer for song "Motta Paiyan" |
Shivalinga | 2017 | Tamil | Shivalingeswaran | |
Muni 4: Kanchana 3 | 2019 | Tamil | Raghava, Kaali |
Dancer
Film | Song | Year | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Uzhaippali | "Uzhaippali Illatha" | 1993 | Tamil | |
Gentleman | "Chikku Bukku Rayile" | 1993 | Tamil | |
Mutha Mestri | "Ee Pettakku" | 1993 | Telugu | |
Chinna Madam | 1994 | Tamil | ||
Thai Thangai Paasam | "Roopu Tera Masthana" | 1995 | Tamil | |
Akka Bagunnava | 1996 | Telugu | ||
Hitler | "Nadaka Kalisina Navaraatri" | 1997 | Telugu | |
Suryudu | "Manasu petti" | 1998 | Telugu | |
Amarkalam | "Maha Ganapathi" | 1999 | Tamil | |
Bagunnara? | "Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa" | 2000 | Telugu | |
Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven | "Sollu Thalaiva" | 2000 | Tamil | |
Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi | "Lovvuki Age" | 2000 | Telugu | |
Chala Bagundi | "Yentabagundi Basu" | 2000 | Telugu | |
Thirunelveli | "Yele Azhagamma" | 2000 | Tamil | |
Asura | "Maha Ganapathi" | 2001 | Kannada | |
Varushamellam Vasantham | "Naan Ready Neenga Readya" | 2002 | Tamil | |
Roja Kootam | "Subbamma" | 2002 | Tamil | |
Baba | "Maya Maya" | 2002 | Tamil | |
Ninne Istapaddanu | "Krishna Zilla" | 2003 | Telugu | |
Satyam | "Kuch Kuch" | 2003 | Telugu | |
Naaga | "Nayudori Pilla" | 2003 | Telugu | |
Andhrawala | "Naire Naire" | 2003 | Telugu | |
Pudhiya Geethai | "Annamalai" | 2003 | Tamil | |
Thirumalai | "Thaamthakka Dheemthakka" | 2003 | Tamil | |
Mass | "Mass" | 2004 | Telugu | |
Pen Singam | "Adi Aadi Asaiyum Iduppu" | 2010 | Tamil | |
Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam | "Live The Moment" | 2014 | Tamil | |
Khaidi No. 150 | "Ratthaalu" | 2017 | Telugu |
Television
- Masthaana Masthaana Part II (2007)
Discography
As a playback singer
Song(s) | Year | Film | Composer |
---|---|---|---|
Motta Motta Paiyyan | 2017 | Motta Siva Ketta Siva | Amresh Ganesh |
As a Music Composer
Year | Film |
---|---|
2007 | Don |
2012 | Rebel |
Awards
- Filmfare Award for Best Dance Choreographer – South – Annayya – Telugu (2000)
- Filmfare Award for Best Dance Choreographer – South – Paarthale Paravasam – Tamil (2001)
- Filmfare Award for Best Dance Choreographer – South – Indra – Telugu (2002)
- Filmfare Award for Best Dance Choreographer – South – Style – Telugu (2006)
- Nandi Award for Best Choreographer – Annayya – Telugu (2000)
- Nandi Award for Best Choreographer – Indra – Telugu (2002)
- Nandi Award for Best Choreographer – Style – Telugu (2006)
- Manidha Neyam Award – (2015)
- Extraordinary Performance (Male) – Kanchana 2 – Tamil (2015)
References
- ^ a b c "RAGHAVA LAWRENCE". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "Lawrence donates 1cr". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
- ^ "Raghava Lawrence launches Abdul Kalam Trust, donates Rs 1 cr". Hindustan Times. 4 August 2015.
- ^ http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/chitchat-lawrence.html
- ^ a b c "Raghava Lawrence – Telugu Cinema interview – Telugu film director". Idlebrain.com. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Rediff on the Net, Movies: India rubber". Rediff.com. 25 April 1998. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- ^ TeluguCinema.Com – TC Exclusive: Interview with choreographer-director Lawrence. Telugucinema.com. 11 February 2005
- ^ "Rajini's spiritual suggestion". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Metro Plus Kochi / Music : My First Break – Raghava Lawrence". The Hindu. 8 November 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- ^ "Mass (Dammunte Kasko) - Telugu cinema Review - Nagarjuna, Charmy, Jyothika". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Style review. Style Telugu movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Tamil Movie review Muni Lawrence Raghavendra Rajkiran Vethika saran gemini production picture gallery images". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Don Review: Wrong choice of Nagarjuna". Greatandhra. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Pandi review. Pandi Tamil movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Review : Rajadhi Raja (2009)". Sify.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam - Tamil Movie Reviews - Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam - Larencce - Lakshmi Rai - Padmapriya - Sandhya - Behindwoods.com". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Kanchana review: High on emotions". greatandhra. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Rebel (2012) - Rebel Movie - Rebel Telugu Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos". FilmiBeat.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Review : Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva review- Crass, loud and brainless (2017)". Sify.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Sivalinga Review {2.5/5}: Shivalinga isn't boring or crassy, and is passable, but isn't that too low a bar for a veteran like P Vasu to be settling for?". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/kanchana-3-review-and-rating-raghava-lawrence-s-film-is-loud-annoying-and-barely-entertaining-horror-thriller/story-3lVO3dLgCfqpXlWGpSrl9N.html
- ^ https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-kanchana-3-box-office-collection-report-raghava-lawrence-starrer-film-beats-kalank-jersey-95895
- ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/raghava-lawrence-on-exiting-laxmmi-bomb-i-have-no-issues-with-akshay-kumar-1530890-2019-05-21
- ^ "Raghava Lawrence helped a child in heart surgery". Cinibytes.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ "Page 1 of Raghava Lawrence Helped 128th Heart Surgery, Raghava Lawrence Helped 128th Heart Surgery Photos". Movies.sulekha.com.
- ^ "Raghava Lawrence helped a child in heart surgery, 128th heart surgery done by Raghava Lawrence — Serials online SunTv VijayTv Polimer RajTv News". Kollyzone.org. 15 March 2016.
- ^ "For Jallikattu, AR Rahman To Fast, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar And Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudeva Say Ban Must End". Ndtv.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ Corona Crisis
- ^ "Actor-director Raghava Lawrence to donate 1 crore for Kerala". News Minute. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Kerala floods: Choreographer-turned-actor Raghava Lawrence to donate Rs 1 crore towards relief fund". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
External links
- Living people
- Telugu film directors
- Indian film choreographers
- Tamil male actors
- Tamil film directors
- Film directors from Chennai
- Filmfare Awards South winners
- Male actors in Telugu cinema
- Male actors in Tamil cinema
- 1976 births
- 20th-century Indian male actors
- 21st-century Indian male actors
- Indian film score composers
- Tamil film score composers
- Telugu film score composers