A. Venkatesh (director)
A. Venkatesh | |
|---|---|
 Venkatesh at Sandamarutham Audio Launch | |
| Occupation(s) | actor, director |
| Years active | 1996–present |
A. Venkatesh is an Indian film director and actor working in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as an assistant, he directs his first film Mahaprabhu (1996).
Career
Initially, he worked as an assistant to director K. Rajeshwar on Nyaya Tharasu (1989) and Idhaya Thamarai (1990). He assisted Pavithran on Vasanthakala Paravai (1991) and Suriyan (1992), then he was an associate director to director Shankar on Gentleman (1993) and Kadhalan (1994). During the shooting of the film Kadhalan, producer G. K. Reddy approached him to direct a film. In 1996, he made his directional debut through Mahaprabhu starring R. Sarathkumar, Sukanya and Vineetha. He has directed Vijay's movies including action film Selva (1996) and romance film Nilaave Vaa (1998). In 1999, he directed a drama film Pooparika Varugirom starring Sivaji Ganesan, Vikram Krishna and Malavika.
Following the death of director Thirupathisamy in 2001, Venkatesh was briefly announced as the new director of the film Velan featuring Vijay and Priyanka Chopra, but the project was later shelved.[1]
He started directing action movies with Prashanth's Chocolate (2001), Vijay's Bhagavathi (2002), and Silambarasan's Dum (2003) and Kuthu (2004). These were followed by Sarathkumar's Aai (2004), Chanakya (2005) and Arjun's Vathiyar (2006). He is known for directing films in short spans of time.
During 2008, Venkatesh worked simultaneously on six productions, which were at different stages of completion. The Arjun-starrer Durai (2008) and Arun Vijay's Malai Malai (2009) were released first, while Sundar C's Vaadaa (2010) and Bharath's Killadi (2015) had delayed releases. Two further films, Prashanth's Petrol and Sarathkumar's Imaya Malai, were subsequently shelved mid-production.[2]
He has also acted in various Tamil movies, notably Angadi Theru (2010). Venkatesh returned after a two-and-a-half year break with Nethra (2019). The filmmaker says the delay is because he had to fulfil commitments as an actor before he could get back to direction. The film is a psycho-thriller based on a true event which he was witness to at an airport in Canada.[3]
Filmography
As Director
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Mahaprabhu | Tamil | |
| Selva | |||
| 1998 | Nilaave Vaa | ||
| 1999 | Pooparika Varugirom | ||
| 2001 | Chocolate | ||
| 2002 | Bhagavathi | ||
| 2003 | Dum | ||
| 2004 | Kuthu | ||
| Aai | |||
| 2005 | Chanakya | ||
| 2006 | Vathiyar | ||
| 2008 | Singakutty | [4] | |
| Durai | [5] | ||
| 2009 | Malai Malai | [6] | |
| 2010 | Maanja Velu | [7] | |
| Vaadaa | |||
| Vallakottai | [8] | ||
| 2013 | Summa Nachunu Irukku | [9] | |
| 2015 | Killadi | ||
| Sandamarutham | |||
| Rombha Nallavan Da Nee | |||
| 2019 | Nethra |
As actor
- Vasanthakala Paravai (1991)
- Suriyan (1992) - Telegram Office clerk
- Nilaave Vaa (1999) - Christian who prays at Hindu temple
- Angaadi Theru (2010) - Karungali
- Sattapadi Kutram (2011) - Ekambaram
- Mahaan Kanakku (2011)
- Paagan (2012)
- Azhagan Azhagi (2013) - Rathinavel
- Naan Rajavaga Pogiren (2013) - Isakkimuthu Annachi
- Summa Nachunu Irukku (2013)
- Goli Soda (2014)
- Touring Talkies (2015)
- Rombha Nallavan Da Nee (2015)
- Iravum Pagalum Varum (2015)
- Pallikoodam Pogamale (2015)
- Sivappu (2015)
- Pagiri (2016)
- Aandavan Kattalai (2016)
- Thodari (2016)
- Nisabdham (2017)
- Kadugu (2017)
- Onaaigal Jakkiradhai (2018)
- Torchlight (2018)
- Thodraa (2018)
- Nethra (2019)
- Asuran (2019)
- Nungambakkam (TBA)
References
- ^ "S U B A S". Cinematoday3.itgo.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Director Venkatesh on a roll". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/feb/07/chocolate-director-venkatesh-returns-with-nethraa-1935393.html
- ^ "Singakutty review". Nowrunning. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ "DURAI MOVIE REVIEW - Behindwoods.com - Arjun Keerath Director A Venkatesh Music D Imman Jassie Gift Timmy Ramya Udit Narayan Shreya Ghosal Karthik SaloniS P Balasubramaniam Images Gallery Stills". behindwoods.com.
- ^ "Sify Movies - Review listing (1970)". www.sify.com.
- ^ "Tamil Cinema News - Tamil Movie Reviews - Tamil Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Tamil".
- ^ "VALLAKOTTAI MOVIE REVIEW - TAMIL MOVIE VALLAKOTTAI MOVIE REVIEW". behindwoods.com.
- ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (25 May 2013). "Audio Beat: Summa Nachunu Irukku - Comic story, peppy tunes" – via www.thehindu.com.