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G. Dhananjayan

{{short description|Indian film producer}}

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{{Infobox person

| name = G. Dhananjayan

| image = The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Swarna Kamal Award for the Best Film Critic to Shri G. Dhananjayan, at the 64th National Film Awards Function, in New Delhi.jpg

| caption = Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Swarna Kamal Award for the Best Film Critic to Shri G. Dhananjayan

| alt = GD or DJ

| spouse = Lalitha Dhananjayan

| children =

DL Harita, DL Revati

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Senjiagaram Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

| years_active = 2006–present

| occupation = Management Professional, Director – BOFTA Film Institute

}}

G. Dhananjayan (GD) is an Indian film producer, distributor, columnist, author of four books on Indian films, and founder-director BOFTA Film Institute.{{cite web|title=BOFTA|url=https://www.bofta.in/}} He has produced films in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi languages,{{cite web|title=GD helps Disney-UTV establish credentials in south business|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/disney-utv-in-conversation-with-team-box-office-india/|publisher=Box office India|access-date=28 September 2013|archive-date=20 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120121320/http://boxofficeindia.co.in/disney-utv-in-conversation-with-team-box-office-india/|url-status=dead}} including Sankat City (2009), Kanden Kadhalai (2009), Mugamoodi (2012), Anjaan (2014) and Irudhi Suttru (2016), Kaatrin Mozhi (2018), Kabadadaari (2021), Kodiyil Oruvan (2021) and many other films. He has won two National Film Awards.

Education and work

File:Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Special Mention Certificate for “Pride of Tamil Cinema” (1931-2013) in the category of Best Writing on Cinema to the Author, Shri G. Dhananjayan, at the 62nd National Film Awards Function.jpg

G. Dhananjayan holds an MBA degree from Sydenham Institute of Management SIMSREE, University of Mumbai (1991 batch),{{cite news|title=Guest Leacture by Dhanajayan Govind in SIMSREE|url=http://simsreeblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/guest-lecture-by-mr-dhananjayan-govind.html|date=17 August 2010}} and earned his Ph.D. from Mumbai University for his thesis on the Indian Film Industry in March 2019.

He worked in Asian Paints Ltd, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Saregama, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone for more than 15 years before joining Moser Baer Entertainment in 2006. Dhananjayan was the company's Chief Operating Officer{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/bline/2009/03/10/stories/2009031051161500.htm|title=Ten films in Moser Baer's production kitty for 2009|author=Ravikumar, R.|date=10 March 2009|website=The Hindu|access-date=8 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624004351/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/bline/2009/03/10/stories/2009031051161500.htm|archive-date=24 June 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/Moser-Baer-joins-Duet-Movies-for-film-production/article14829280.ece|title=Moser Baer joins Duet Movies for film production|date=5 September 2007|work=The Hindu|access-date=22 May 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} of Home Video Business and then chief executive officer of the Film Business.

GD was one of the two founding members of Moser Baer Entertainment in April 2006. Within 6 months, GD acquired the copyright/marketing rights for over 10,000 film titles in ten languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi to launch DVDs and VCDs under the banner of Moser Baer. This allowed competition with unauthorized copies of DVDs typically sold for very low prices.{{cite news|title=We want to be India's best entertainment company|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/apr/17moser5.htm|access-date=17 April 2008|publisher=rediff news}}

GD was associated with UTV Motion Pictures (now called Disney-India) from January 2011 till February 2016 and was instrumental in producing several films in the South.

GD spends considerable time interacting with students{{cite web|title=Guest Lecture by Dhananjayan Govind|url=http://www.pragyan.org/14/home/guest_lectures/|website=pragyan.org|publisher=NIT Trichy}} of various Film Institutes across India. He also delivered speeches at IIT, NIT, and other management institutes on film business. GD is invited to various forums and programs to speak on the film business, management, and many other topics.

GD was the founding Director of BOFTA Film Institute, a pioneer in Film Education in Tamil Nadu where the students learn from the Masters. The Institute, which commenced its operation in 2015 is rated as one of the best Film Institutes in Tamil Nadu for its quality of education. The Master Classes conducted by GD with several Filmmakers and Actors has set a benchmark and the videos remain popular in YouTube.

GD has also made documentaries on legendary filmmakers. His first documentary on Producer-Director-Writer Panchu Arunachalam titled 'A Creator with Midas Touch' which was selected and screened at Indian Panorama of International Film Festival in Goa (2016) received widespread appreciation. His second documentary on legendary director Krishnan–Panju was selected and screened at Mumbai International Film Festival (2017) and received critical acclaim.

GD joined hands with lyricist and screenplay writer Madhan Karky in 2023 and started a pioneering initiative of SCRIPTick, a ready-to-shoot script bank to help talented screenwriters.{{cite web|title=SCRIPTick|website=DT Next |date=22 February 2023 |url=https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2023/02/22/g-dhananjayan-scriptick-will-bridge-the-writer-producer-gap}}

GD is regularly interviewed by many popular YouTube channels wherein he shares his views openly and objectively. His interviews are pretty popular among people interested in the film business.

= Movie production =

At Moser Baer Entertainment GD ventured into film production with Shaurya in Hindi and Vellitherai in Tamil. Moser Baer then produced Sankat City and "Hide & Seek" in Hindi, Raman Thediya Seethai, Poo, Abhiyum Naanum,Kanden Kadhalai, Aval Peyar Thamizharasi, and Siddhu +2 with K. Bhagyaraj in Tamil and Kaana Kanmani in Malayalam in two years.

At UTV Motion Pictures (now called Disney-India) GD had acquired and also produced films in Tamil and Malayalam. The first film, UTV marketed after his joining was Deiva Thirumagal which was a critically acclaimed movie. He was involved in producing, marketing, and distributing films. Under his supervision UTV co-produced in Tamil Vettai and Vazhakku Enn 18/9 with Director N. Lingusamy's Thirrupathi Brothers, Kalakalappu and Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru with Sundar C's Avni Cinemax, M.Saravanan—Vikram Prabhu' Ivan Veramathiri and Suriya's Anjaan with Director N. Lingusamy's Thirrupathi Brothers, and Naan Sigappu Manithan with Vishal Film Factory. GD had produced under UTV banner Muran, Mugamoodi, Thaandavam,"Settai, Sigaram Thodu, Director S.P.Jhananathan—Arya-Vijay Sethupathi's Purampokku and Director Vishnuvaradhan—Arya's Yatchan in Tamil. In Malayalam UTV had produced Grandmaster and Husbands in Goa. In his last assignment with UTV, GD was involved in the marketing of Director Sudha Kongara and Madhavan's Irudhi Suttru in 2016.

GD is currently an independent consulting film producer and distributor. In 2018, he produced Tamil films Mr. Chandramouli{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/g-dhananjayan-thanks-team-mr-chandramouli.html|title=G Dhananjayan thanks team Mr Chandramouli|date=4 July 2018}}{{cite web| url = https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/nov/22/mr-chandramouli--to-get-started-1708521.html| title = Mr. Chandramouli to get started- The New Indian Express}} by Thiru (director), starring Karthik (actor), Gautham Karthik, Regina Cassandra, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Santhosh Prathap and others and Kaatrin Mozhi{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/watch-simbu-compliments-jyothikas-sultry-hello-kaatrin-mozhi-trailer-91228|title = Watch: Simbu compliments Jyothika's 'sultry hello' in 'Kaatrin Mozhi' trailer|date = 8 November 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/jyothika-wraps-up-radha-mohan-kaatrin-mozhi-tumhari-sulu-remake-1298746-2018-07-28|title = Jyothika wraps up the shooting of Kaatrin Mozhi. See pics}} by Radha Mohan, starring Jyothika, Vidharth, Lakshmi Manchu, Kabadadaari with Sibi Sathyaraj and Kapatadhaari in Telugu with Sumanth.

GD is one of the Partners of the newly created company Infiniti Film Ventures in 2019 and the company has produced Kodiyil Oruvan, Kolai, and Raththam released till 2023.

GD is known for his full involvement while producing the film with his director and observes the way the movie is molded in shape without setbacks. Director Cheran once mentioned in an interview that producers should be like GD by visiting the shooting spots and being a part of the production process so that they will know what hurdles the film crew is facing while making a movie.

= Movie Distribution =

GD distributed the film Zero in 2016 under his production banner Blue Ocean Entertainment. In May 2017, he commenced his distribution company Creative Entertainers and Distributors and distributed the successful film Ivan Thanthiran.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/g-dhananjayan-gets-distribution-right-of-ivan-thandhiran.html|title=G Dhananjayan gets distribution right of Ivan Thandhiran|date=29 May 2017|access-date=11 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.moviecrow.com/News/16241/national-award-winner-dhananjayan-govind-turns-distributor-with-ivan-thanthiran|title=National Award Winner Dhananjayan Govind turns distributor with Ivan Thanthiran|website=www.moviecrow.com|access-date=11 February 2018}} In 2018 GD distributed the film U Turn{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/g-dhananjayan-to-distribute-samanthas-u-turn-in-tamil-nadu.html|title = G Dhananjayan to distribute Samantha's U turn in Tamil Nadu|date = 24 August 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/news/makers-of-big-budget-films-have-a-monopolistic-attitude-says-producer-g-dhananjayan/|title = Makers of Big Budget Films Have a Monopolistic Attitude, Says Producer G Dhananjayan|date = 13 September 2018}}{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} starring Samantha Prabhu in Tamil Nadu, which became a success.

GD's recently distributed film is Kolaigaran {{Cite web|url=https://top10cinema.com/article/49480/distribution-rights-of-kolaikaaran-have-been-bagged-by-a-famous-production-banner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419113231/https://top10cinema.com/article/49480/distribution-rights-of-kolaikaaran-have-been-bagged-by-a-famous-production-banner|url-status=usurped|archive-date=19 April 2019|title = Distribution rights of 'Kolaikaaran' have been bagged by a famous production banner!|date = 17 April 2019}} which was released on June 7, 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-ta/vijay-antonys-kolaigaran-tamilnadu-theatrical-rights-acquired-by-dhananjayans-bofta.html|title = Vijay Antony's Kolaigaran tamilnadu theatrical Rights acquired by Dhananjayan's BOFTA|date = 17 April 2019}} and "Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban, which got released in 2020. Both films were commercial successes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.onlykollywood.com/dhananjayans-creative-entertainers-distributors-acquires-all-rights-to-kavalthurai-ungal-nanban/|title=Dhananjayan's Creative Entertainers & Distributors acquires all rights to Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban|date=28 January 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/kavalthurai-ungal-nanban-movie-distributed-by-g-dhananjayan-news-252310|title = G. Dhananjayan acquires an interesting film – News|date = 29 January 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://ttncinema.com/kavalthurai-ungal-nanban-screened-across-several-theatres-in-chennai/|title = 'Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban' screened across several theatres in Chennai|date = 27 November 2020}}

= Writing career =

GD is passionate about writing and has contributed several articles to the Times of India, The Hindu Tamil, Dinathanthi Next, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Management, DNA, India Today, and other publications.

GD has written a book about Tamil cinema titled The Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2010,{{cite web|title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, launched in style|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/the-best-of-tamil-cinema-launched-in-style-news-tamil-lddlxlebbjgsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716140150/http://www.sify.com/movies/the-best-of-tamil-cinema-launched-in-style-news-tamil-lddlxlebbjgsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2014|website=Sify|access-date=4 March 2011}}{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/05/stories/2011010560100200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110023451/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/05/stories/2011010560100200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 January 2011 | title=Chronicling the legacy of Tamil cinema | date=5 January 2011 | access-date=8 December 2013 | newspaper=The Hindu | author=Nadu, Tamil}}{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/The-chronicler-of-Kollywood/articleshow/7745961.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907162224/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-20/chennai/29148702_1_tamil-films-g-dhananjayan-tamil-cinema | url-status=live | archive-date=7 September 2011 | title=The chronicler of Kollywood |newspaper=The Times of India| date=20 March 2011 | access-date=8 December 2013 | author=Venkateswaran, N}} in English, which was released by Legendary Actor Kamal Haasan on 2 March 2011 in the presence of eminent film makers.{{cite news|title=THE BEST OF TAMIL CINEMA 1931–2010 released by Dr Kamal|url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-565296|access-date=3 March 2011|publisher=CNN}} Super Star Rajinikanth personally appreciated the book by giving a memento for the fantastic research and writing on Tamil cinema.{{cite web|title=Rajinikanth appreciates Dhananjayan's book|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/rajinikanth-appreciates-dhananjayan-s-book-news-tamil-lehqIMhbdeh.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410211730/http://www.sify.com/movies/rajinikanth-appreciates-dhananjayan-s-book-news-tamil-lehqIMhbdeh.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2011|website=Sify|access-date=8 April 2011}} The book has reached out to many universities worldwide and has become a reference point on Tamil cinema for many interested foreigners to know about Tamil cinema.

GD's second book was "Pride of Tamil Cinema", released in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/celebrity/india/south-india/pride-of-tamil-cinema-a-treat-for-film-buffs-1.1421323|title=' Pride of Tamil Cinema,' a treat for film buffs|first=Mythily Ramachandran, Special to|last=tabloid!|date=4 December 2014|access-date=11 February 2018}} The book was released at Indian Panorama, Goa in 2014 and it went on to win the National Award (Special Mention) for Best Writing on Cinema for the year 2014. The book is highly appreciated by the film industry for the impeccable documentation of the films.

GD's monthly column in 'Galatta Cinema' for two years was widely read by eminent personalities in South Indian Cinema and was appreciated for his professional contribution to South Cinema. His article series in the Tamil newspaper 'The Hindu' was widely read and appreciated for the valuable contribution he is doing by enlightening the readers on the happenings in Tamil cinema and the changes required. His collection of Tamil articles was published by 'The Hindu' under the title ‘Vellithirayin Vetri Manthirangal’ which is today one of the best sellers from their publication.

GD's fourth book titled 'The Art and Business of Cinema(ABC)' was released in December 2017 comprising nearly 100 articles that explains the various art and business facets of cinema. The collection of articles in this book is a must-read for interested filmmakers to understand the challenges in the industry and what to keep in mind to deliver a film successfully.{{cite web|title=Art and Business of Cinema|website=Cinema Express |url=http://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/feb/06/filmmaking-101-4396.html}}{{cite news |last1=Nathan |first1=Archana |title=What Kollywood needs to do better: 'Don't release six films on the same day, create more heroes' |url=https://scroll.in/reel/865687/what-kollywood-needs-to-do-better-dont-release-six-films-on-the-same-day-create-more-heroes |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Scroll.in |date=January 28, 2018}}

GD's series of articles in various newspapers won him his second National Award as the Best Critic of the Year 2016.{{cite web|title=National Award on Best Critic|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=160659|website=pib.nic.in}}{{cite web|title=Indian Express List of National Awards|date=8 April 2017|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/national-film-awards-2017-complete-winner-list-4603752/}}

GD was also the compiling author of two books by legendary actor, painter, orator and philanthropist Sivakumar titled ‘Paintings of Sivakumar’ and ‘Golden Moments of Sivakumar’.{{cite web|title=Paintings of Sivakumar|url= https://bookwomb.com/paintings-of-sivakumar.html}}{{cite web|title=Painting expo|url= http://archive.ptinews.com//news/8003983_Tamil-actor-Sivakumar-s-painting-expo-opens-.html}}

In 2021, served for a brief period as the Head of Tamil content and digital business in SonyLIV.{{Cite web|last=Jha|first=Lata|date=2021-06-11|title=SonyLIV appoints G. Dhananjayan as head of Tamil content|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/sonyliv-appoints-g-dhananjayan-as-head-of-tamil-content-11623415067822.html|access-date=2021-06-13|website=mint|language=en}} In 2023, Dhananjayan and Madhan Karky started SCIPTICK, a "script bank" to help aspiring screenwriters better research their scripts.{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M. |title=Madhan Karky and Dhananjayan team up to create a script bank for Kollywood |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/madhan-karky-and-dhananjayan-team-up-to-create-a-script-bank-for-kollywood/articleshow/97815625.cms |access-date=2023-03-16 |issn=0971-8257}}

Filmography

As the Producer or Co-Producer at Moser Baer Entertainment

As Associate Producer at Disney-UTV Motion Pictures

As Producer – Creative Entertainers

As Partner Producer – Infiniti Film Ventures

As Co-Producer

As Theatrical Distributor

As Digital Distributor

As the Co-Producer at Studio Green

Documentary films

  • A Creator with Midas Touch (documentary on Panchu Arunachalam){{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-documentary-on-panchu-arunachalam-veteran-screenwriter-and-producer-in-tamil-cinema/article8399359.ece|title=The man who made Rajinikanth|last=Srinivasan|first=Sudhir|date=26 March 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=22 May 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-documentary-on-panchu-arunachalam-veteran-screenwriter-and-producer-in-tamil-cinema/article8399359.ece|title = The man who made Rajinikanth|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 26 March 2016|last1 = Srinivasan|first1 = Sudhir}}{{cite web|title=Documentary on Panchu Arunachalam|website=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-documentary-on-panchu-arunachalam-veteran-screenwriter-and-producer-in-tamil-cinema/article8399359.ece}}
  • The Pioneering Duo (documentary on Krishnan–Panju){{cite news|url=https://www.dtnext.in/Lifestyle/LifeStyleTopNews/2017/04/09205411/1030959/Documentary-on-pioneers-of-Indian-cinema-launched.vpf?TId=112136|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522050435/https://www.dtnext.in/Lifestyle/LifeStyleTopNews/2017/04/09205411/1030959/Documentary-on-pioneers-of-Indian-cinema-launched.vpf?TId=112136|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 May 2018|title=Documentary on pioneers of Indian cinema launched|date=10 April 2017|work=DT Next|access-date=22 May 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/apr/05/producer-writer-g-dhananjayan-next-project-on--legendary-director-duo-of-krishnan-panju-1590335.html|title = Producer-writer G. Dhananjayan next project on legendary director duo of Krishnan-Panju}}

As Actor

Books

  • Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2010 (2 Volumes)
  • Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013
  • Vellithirayin Vetri Manthirangal (in Tamil)
  • The Art and Business of Cinema (ABC){{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/865687/what-kollywood-needs-to-do-better-dont-release-six-films-on-the-same-day-create-more-heroes|title = What Kollywood needs to do better: 'Don't release six films on the same day, create more heroes'}}

Awards

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/apr/17moser1.htm Rediff.com – Interview]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20110107003701/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/62836.html IndiaGlitz]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20110204034002/http://www.sify.com/movies/g-dhananjayan-joins-utv-news-tamil-lcbrc0chhec.html Sify]
  • [https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Rajinis-Enthiran-is-still-the-top-grosser-in-South/articleshow/25599919.cms?.html Banglore mirror – Interview]

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Category:Living people

Category:Film producers from Chennai

Category:1965 births

Category:Tamil film producers

Category:Indian film historians

Category:Indian chief operating officers

Category:Best Critic National Film Award winners

Category:Telugu film producers