A. Venkatesh is an Indian film director and actor working in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as an assistant, he directed his first film, Mahaprabhu, in 1996.
A. Venkatesh | |
|---|---|
 Venkatesh at Sandamarutham Audio Launch | |
| Occupation(s) | actor, director |
| Years active | 1996–present |
Career
editInitially, 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 hit 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.[1]
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.[2]
He started directing action movies with Prashanth's Chocolate (2001), Vijay's hit film 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).[3][4][5]
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.[6]
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 was because he had to fulfil commitments as an actor before he could get back to the direction. The film is a psycho-thriller based on a true event which he was witness to at an airport in Canada.[7]
Filmography
editAs director
edit| Year | Film | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Mahaprabhu | Debut Direction | [8] |
| Selva | [9] | ||
| 1998 | Nilaave Vaa | [10] | |
| 1999 | Pooparika Varugirom | [11] | |
| 2001 | Chocolate | [12] | |
| 2002 | Bhagavathi | [13] | |
| 2003 | Dum | [14] | |
| 2004 | Kuthu | [15] | |
| Aai | [16] | ||
| 2005 | Chanakya | [17] | |
| 2006 | Vathiyar | [18] | |
| 2008 | Singakutty | [19] | |
| Durai | [20] | ||
| 2009 | Malai Malai | [21] | |
| 2010 | Maanja Velu | [22] | |
| Vaadaa | [23] | ||
| Vallakottai | [24] | ||
| 2013 | Summa Nachunu Irukku | [25] | |
| 2015 | Killadi | [26] | |
| Sandamarutham | [27] | ||
| Rombha Nallavan Da Nee | [28] | ||
| 2019 | Nethra | [29] | |
| 2024 | Operation Laila | [30] | |
| Dhil Raja |
As actor
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Vasanthakala Paravai | ||
| 1992 | Suriyan | Telegram Office clerk | |
| 1994 | Kadhalan | Cameo appearance | in "Kadhalikum Pennin" song |
| 1998 | Nilaave Vaa | Christian who prays at Hindu temple | |
| 2010 | Angaadi Theru | Karungali | |
| 2011 | Sattapadi Kutram | Ekambaram | |
| Mahaan Kanakku | Maths Teacher | ||
| 2012 | Paagan | ||
| 2013 | Azhagan Azhagi | Rathinavel | |
| Naan Rajavaga Pogiren | Isakkimuthu Annachi | ||
| Summa Nachunu Irukku | Gautham (Dato) | ||
| 2014 | Goli Soda | Vanmathi's father | |
| 2015 | Touring Talkies | a Doctor | |
| Rombha Nallavan Da Nee | |||
| Iravum Pagalum Varum | |||
| Pallikoodam Pogamale | Vijay's father | ||
| Sivappu | |||
| 2016 | Pagiri | Madhu's father | |
| Aandavan Kattalai | Gandhi's brother-in-law | ||
| Thodari | Thangapandian | ||
| 2017 | Nisabdham | a public prosecutor | |
| Kadugu | an Inspector | ||
| 2018 | Onaaigal Jakkiradhai | Chithappu | |
| Torchlight | |||
| Thodraa | |||
| 2019 | Nethra | an officer | |
| Asuran | Viswanathan | ||
| 2020 | Nungambakkam | Advocate Durai | |
| Alti | |||
| 2022 | Oh My Dog | a moneylender | |
| Nadhi | |||
| Laththi | Inspector Gnanamuthu | ||
| 2023 | Rudhran | Ethiraj | |
| Thuritham | |||
| Priyamudan Priya | |||
| 2024 | Singappenney | ||
| Dhil Raja |
Web series
edit| Year | Program Name | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Triples | Councillor Chelladurai | Hotstar | Debut Web Series |
| 2023 | Mr. Manaivi | Vedhanayagam | Sun TV | Debut as an actor |
| 2024 | Goli Soda Rising | Vanmathi's father | Disney+Hotstar |
References
edit- ^ "Pooparika varugirom (1999) - IMDb". IMDb.
- ^ "S U B A S". Cinematoday3.itgo.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "AAIA". The Times of India.
- ^ "Chanakya (2005) | Chanakya Tamil Movie | Chanakya Cast & Crew, Story, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos".
- ^ "Vathiyar (2006) - IMDb". IMDb.
- ^ "Director Venkatesh on a roll". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "Director Venkatesh returns with Nethraa". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Mahaprabhu".
- ^ "Selva".
- ^ "Nilaave Vaa".
- ^ "Pooparika Varugirom".
- ^ "Chocolate".
- ^ "20 years of 'Bagavathi': Five highlights from Vijay's mass action film".
- ^ "Dum".
- ^ "Kuththu".
- ^ "Aai".
- ^ "Chanakya".
- ^ "Vathiyar Review".
- ^ "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)". Sify. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Tamil Cinema News - Tamil Movie Reviews - Tamil Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Tamil". Archived from the original on 8 October 2009.
- ^ "VAADA MOVIE REVIEW".
- ^ "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". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "Killadi Movie Review".
- ^ "Sandamarudham Review".
- ^ "Comedy inevitable part of my films: Director A. Venkatesh". The Indian Express. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Nethraa".
- ^ "Operation Laila (2024) - Movie, Reviews, Cast & Release Date". Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
External links
edit- A. Venkatesh at IMDb