Gautham Vasudev Menon

Gautham Vasudev Menon was born on 25 February 1973 in Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala. His father, Prabha Krishnan, is a Malayali, and his mother is a Tamilian.{{cite web |title=Gautham Vasudev Menon |url=http://www.jointscene.com/artists/Kollywood/Gautham_Menon/321 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127013325/http://www.jointscene.com/artists/Kollywood/Gautham_Menon/321 |archive-date=27 January 2011 |access-date=26 August 2011 |publisher=jointscene.com}} He grew up in Anna Nagar, Chennai.{{cite web|url=http://popcorn.oneindia.in/artist-biography/2749/3/gautham-menon.html|title=BIOGRAPHY|publisher=oneindia.in|access-date=26 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714103152/http://popcorn.oneindia.in/artist-biography/2749/3/gautham-menon.html|archive-date=14 July 2012}}

Menon did his schooling at the Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School, Chennai.{{cite news |title=ELEMENTS OF GAUTHAM VASUDEV MENON'S LIFE |url=https://www.magzter.com/article/Fashion/RITZ/ELEMENTS-OF-GAUTHAM-VASUDEV-MENONS-LIFE |work=magzter.com |language=en |access-date=31 May 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011140947/https://www.magzter.com/article/Fashion/RITZ/ELEMENTS-OF-GAUTHAM-VASUDEV-MENONS-LIFE |url-status=live }} He then completed a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Mookambigai College of Engineering, Pudukkottai.{{cite web|url=http://tamilchill.com/cinema-news/gautham-menon-speaks-about-his-family/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402090734/http://tamilchill.com/cinema-news/gautham-menon-speaks-about-his-family/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2012|title=Gautam Menon speaks about his family|publisher=tamilchill.com|access-date=26 August 2011}}{{citation|url=http://www.newsofap.com/newsofap-23562-35-goutham-menons-wife-doesnt-like-these-things-newsofap.html|title=Goutham Menon's wife doesn't like these things!|publisher=newsofap.com|date=26 August 2010|access-date=26 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910010239/http://www.newsofap.com/newsofap-23562-35-goutham-menons-wife-doesnt-like-these-things-newsofap.html|archive-date=10 September 2012}}

Menon's time at university inspired him to write the lead roles of Minnale, Vaaranam Aayiram, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, Neethaane En Ponvasantham and Enai Noki Paayum Thota who were students in the same course.{{cite news|author=Gerals, Olympia|title=His film making ambition took off from hostel|work=The Hindu|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article532697.ece|location=Chennai, India|date=25 July 2010|archive-date=4 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704181731/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article532697.ece|url-status=live}} During the period, he was inspired by films such as Dead Poets Society (1989) and Nayakan (1987) and expressed his desire to his parents to change his career path and become a filmmaker. His mother insisted that he become an ad filmmaker by shooting various commercials and he took an apprenticeship under filmmaker Rajiv Menon. He went on to work as an assistant director for Minsara Kanavu (1997), in which he also appeared in a cameo role.{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|year=2001|title=Hindi films were meant to happen much later|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/oct/16gau.htm|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102101729/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/oct/16gau.htm|url-status=live}}

Menon launched a Tamil romance film O Lala in 2000 with the project eventually changing producers and titles into Minnale (2001) with Madhavan, who was at the beginning of his career, being signed on to portray the lead role.{{cite news|author=Kumar, Ashok|title=My First Break|work=The Hindu|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/07/03/stories/2009070350451600.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=3 July 2009|archive-date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105012508/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/07/03/stories/2009070350451600.htm|url-status=dead}} About the making of the film, Menon revealed that he found it difficult as the team was new to the industry with only the editor of the film, Suresh Urs, being an experienced technician.{{cite web|author=Rangan, Baradwaj|year=2011|title=Shooting from the Lip|publisher=Baradwaj Rangan|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/between-reviews-shooting-from-the-lip/|archive-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812054225/http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/between-reviews-shooting-from-the-lip/|url-status=live}} Menon came under further pressure when Madhavan insisted that the film's story was narrated to the actor's mentor, Mani Ratnam, to identify if the film was a positive career move. Despite initial reservations, Menon did so and Ratnam was unimpressed; however, Menon has since cited that he thought that Madhavan "felt sorry" and later agreed to continue with the project. The film also featured Abbas and newcomer Reemma Sen in significant roles, whilst Menon introduced Harris Jayaraj as music composer with the film. The film was advertised as a Valentine's Day release in 2001 and told the tale of a young man who falls in love with the girl engaged to his ex-college rival. Upon release it went on to become a large success commercially and won positive reviews from critics, with claims that the film had a lot of "lot of verve and vigour" and that it was "technically excellent".{{cite news|author=Padmanabhan, Savitha|title=Film Review: Minnale|work=The Hindu|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/02/09/stories/09090224.htm|location=Chennai, India|date=9 February 2001|archive-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108195114/http://www.hindu.com/2001/02/09/stories/09090224.htm|url-status=dead}}

The success of the film led producer Vashu Bhagnani to sign him on to direct the Hindi language remake of the film, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001), starring Madhavan alongside Dia Mirza and Saif Ali Khan. Menon was initially apprehensive but said it eventually took "half an hour" to agree, but against his intentions, the producer opted against retaining the technical crew of the original. He changed a few elements, deleted certain scenes and added some more for the version. A critic felt that "the presentation is not absorbing" though stating that Menon "handled certain sequences with aplomb"; the film subsequently became a below-average box office performer.{{cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|year=2001|title=Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein|website=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/6838/index.html|author-link=Taran Adarsh|archive-date=22 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922062043/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/6838/index.html|url-status=dead}} The failure of the film left him disappointed, with Menon claiming in hindsight that the film lacked the simplicity of the original with the producer's intervention affecting proceedings.{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|year=2003|title=The industry is in such a shape that you cannot have big-budget films|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/mar/21menon.htm|archive-date=1 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801233643/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/mar/21menon.htm|url-status=live}} Several years after release, the film later gained popularity through screenings on television and subsequently developed a cult following amongst young Hindi-speaking audiences.{{cite web|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/discussion/bollywoods-cult-classics|title=Bollywood's Cult Classics|work=PINKVILLA|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=3 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203022640/http://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/discussion/bollywoods-cult-classics|url-status=dead}} In 2011, the producer of the film approached him to remake Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein with the producer's son Jackky Bhagnani in the lead role, but Menon was uninterested with the offer.{{cite news|author=Jha, Subhash|title=Jackky Bhagnani in RHTDM remake?|work=The Times of India|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-19/news-interviews/29446851_1_vashu-bhagnani-hindi-film-gautham-menon|date=19 April 2011|archive-date=16 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716120315/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-19/news-interviews/29446851_1_vashu-bhagnani-hindi-film-gautham-menon|url-status=dead}} Later on in 2001, it was reported that he was working on a film tentatively titled Iru Vizhi Unadhu, though the project did not develop into production.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfmpage.com/oldnews01.html|title=TFM Old News Items|work=tfmpage.com|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232803/http://www.tfmpage.com/oldnews01.html|url-status=dead}}

Gautham Menon returned in 2003 by directing the realistic police thriller Kaakha Kaakha (2003) starring Suriya, Jyothika and Jeevan. The film portrayed the personal life of a police officer and how his life is affected by gangsters, showing a different perspective of police in comparison to other Tamil films of the time. Menon revealed that he was inspired to make the film after reading articles on how to encounter specialists who shoot gangsters and how their families get threatening calls in return, and initially approached Madhavan, Ajith Kumar and then Vikram for the role without success, with all three actors citing that they did not want to play a police officer. The lead actress Jyothika asked Menon to consider Suriya for the role, and he was subsequently selected after Menon saw his portrayal in Nandha.{{cite web|author=Rangan, Baradwaj|year=2006|title=Interview: Gautham Menon|publisher=Baradwaj Rangan|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2006/12/17/interview-gautham-menon/|archive-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812052934/http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2006/12/17/interview-gautham-menon/|url-status=live}} He held a rehearsal of the script with the actors, a costume trial with Jyothika and then enrolled Suriya in a commando training school before beginning production, which he described as a "very planned shoot". The film consequently opened to very positive reviews from critics on the way to becoming another success for Menon, with critics labeling it as a "career high film".{{cite web|author=Subramaniam, Guru|year=2003|title=A career high film for Surya'|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/aug/11kaaka.htm|archive-date=29 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529072959/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/aug/11kaaka.htm|url-status=live}} Furthermore, the film was described as "for action lovers who believe in logical storylines and deft treatment" with Menon being praised for his linear narrative screenplay.{{cite web|author=Rangarajan, Malathi|year=2003|title=Kaakha Kaakha|work=The Hindu|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/08/08/stories/2003080801870200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031004104049/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/08/08/stories/2003080801870200.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2003-10-04}}

Menon subsequently remade the film in the Telugu language as Gharshana (2004) starring Venkatesh in Suriya's role. The film also featured actress Asin and Salim Baig in prominent roles and went on to earn commercial and critical acclaim with reviewers citing that "film redeems itself due to the technical excellence and masterful craft of Gautham", drawing comparisons of Menon with noted film makers Mani Ratnam and Ram Gopal Varma.{{cite web|year=2004|title=Gharshana – Flying colors in khaki|website=IndiaGlitz|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/review/7127.html|archive-date=7 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907021541/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/review/7127.html|url-status=live}} In July 2004, Menon also agreed terms to direct and produce another version of Kaakha Kaakha in Hindi with Sunny Deol in the lead role and revealed that the script was written five years ago with Deol in mind, but the film eventually failed to take off.{{cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|year=2004|title=Sunny in 'Kaakha Kaakha' remake|website=Sify|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sunny-in-kaakha-kaakha-remake-news-bollywood-kkfvK6dacdj.html|archive-date=26 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126061755/http://www.sify.com/movies/sunny-in-kaakha-kaakha-remake-news-bollywood-kkfvK6dacdj.html|url-status=dead}} Producer Vipul Shah approached him to direct the Hindi version of the film in 2010 as Force with John Abraham and Genelia D'Souza, and Menon initially agreed before pulling out again.{{cite news|author=Daithota, Madhu|title=John Abraham loved 'Kaakha Kaakha'|work=The Times of India|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/John-Abraham-loved-Kaakha-Kaakha/iplarticleshow/5569383.cms|date=14 February 2010|archive-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013021106/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/John-Abraham-loved-Kaakha-Kaakha/iplarticleshow/5569383.cms|url-status=live}} Menon and the original producer, Dhanu, also floated an idea of an English-language version with a Chechnyan backdrop, though talks with a potential collaboration with Ashok Amritraj collapsed. In 2018, Menon revealed that he had plans of making a sequel to Kaakha Kaakha with Suriya.{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-my-next-film-title-is-ondraga-news-tamil-scikhSgeagahb.html|title=Gautham Menon: My next film title is 'Ondraga'!|website=Sify|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212070500/http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-my-next-film-title-is-ondraga-news-tamil-scikhSgeagahb.html|url-status=live}}

He was then signed on to direct a venture starring Kamal Haasan and produced by Kaja Mohideen, and initially suggested a one-line story which went on to become Pachaikili Muthucharam for the collaboration. Kamal Haasan wanted a different story and thus the investigative thriller film Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006), was written with Jyothika, Kamalinee Mukherjee, Prakash Raj, Daniel Balaji and Salim Baig added to the cast. The film told another episode from a police officer's life, with an Indian cop moved to America to investigate the case of psychotic serial killers before returning to pursue the chase in India. During the shooting, the unit ran into problems after the producer had attempted suicide and as a result, Kamal Haasan wanted to quit the project. Menon subsequently convinced him to stay on as they had taken advance payments. He has since revealed that unlike Kamal Haasan's other films, the actor did not take particular control of the script or production of the film. The film however had gone through change from the original script with less emphasis on the antagonists than Menon had hoped and he also revealed that scenes for songs were forced in and shot without him. The film released in August 2006 and went on to become his third successive hit film in Tamil and once again, he won rave reviews for his direction.{{cite web|author=Kumar, Krishna|year=2006|title=Kamal Haasan is brilliant in Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/01vv.htm|archive-date=14 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114121341/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/01vv.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|year=2006|title=Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu|website=Sify|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vetayadu-vilayadu-review-tamil-14277528.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924212223/http://www.sify.com/movies/vetayadu-vilayadu-review-tamil-14277528.html|url-status=dead}} Menon later expressed interest in remaking the film in Hindi with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role without the love angle, though the project fell through after discussions. In 2012, he re-began negotiations with producers to make a Hindi version of the film with Shahrukh Khan in the lead role.{{cite web|year=2012|title=Will SRK step into Kamal Haasan's shoes?|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2012-02-01|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/will-srk-step-into-kamal-haasans-shoes/20120123.htm|archive-date=26 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126065044/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/will-srk-step-into-kamal-haasans-shoes/20120123.htm|url-status=live}} He had stated his intent on making a trilogy of police episode films, with a possible third featuring Vikram in the lead role, before completing it in 2015 with Ajith Kumar in Yennai Arindhaal.

His next project, Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007), based on the novel Derailed by James Siegel, featured Sarath Kumar and Jyothika and was released in February 2007. Initially, the lead role was offered to Kamal Haasan who passed the opportunity, while actors Cheran and Madhavan declined citing date and image problems respectively.{{cite web|author=Rangan, Baradwaj|year=2008|title=Gautam "Vasudev" Menon|publisher=Baradwaj Rangan|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/interview-gautam-vasudev-menon/|archive-date=10 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710055938/http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/interview-gautam-vasudev-menon/|url-status=live}} Menon met Sarath Kumar at an event where he cited he was looking to change his 'action' image and Menon subsequently cast him in the lead role. During production, the film ran into further casting trouble with Simran dropping out her assigned role and was replaced by Shobana after another actress, Tabu, also rejected the role.{{cite web|year=2006|title='I don't write scripts for heroes'|website=Sify|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=14149001&cid=2408|archive-date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713184322/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=14149001&cid=2408|url-status=dead}} Shobana was also duly replaced by a newcomer, Andrea Jeremiah to portray the character of Kalyani in the film. The film was under production for over a year and coincided with the making of his previous film which was largely delayed. The film initially opened to positive reviews with a critic citing that Menon is "growing with each passing film. His style is distinctive, his vision clear, his team rallies around him and he manages to pull it off each time he attempts".{{cite web|year=2007|title=Pachaikili Muthucharam|website=Behindwoods|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-05/pachaikili-muthucharam-review.html|archive-date=10 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210132014/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-05/pachaikili-muthucharam-review.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|year=2007|title=Pachaikili Muthucharam|website=Sify|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/pachaikili-muthucharam-review-tamil-14389723.html|archive-date=9 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309075447/http://www.sify.com/movies/pachaikili-muthucharam-review-tamil-14389723.html|url-status=dead}} However the film became a financial failure for the producer, V. Ravichandran and in regard to the failure of the film, Menon went on to claim that Sarath Kumar was "wrong for the film" and that he tweaked the story to fit his image; he also claimed that his father's ailing health and consequent death a week before the release had left him mentally affected. In mid-2007, Menon announced and began work on a youth-centric film titled Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam featuring Trisha and an ensemble of newcomers. Set in the backdrop of Chennai's booming IT industry, the team began its shoot in September 2007 and continued for thirty days but was later delayed and eventually shelved.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/chennai-set-for-the-rains/article2292725.ece|title=Chennai set for the rains!|work=The Hindu|date=6 September 2007 |access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=4 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204005332/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/chennai-set-for-the-rains/article2292725.ece|url-status=live}} In 2011, he revealed that the film was dropped because he felt the actors "needed to be trained", and would consider restarting the project at a later stage.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/gautham-menon.html|title=Gautham Vasudev Menon – Tamil Cinema Director Interview – Gautham Vasudev Menon – Nadunisi Naaygal – Simbhu – Kamal – Ajith – Suriya – Behindwoods.com|work=behindwoods.com|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213411/http://www.behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/gautham-menon.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Menon, Vishal|year=2016|title=I don't mind being called elitist: Gautham Menon|work=The Hindu|access-date=2016-11-18|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/gautham-menon-prefers-to-start-filming-with-incomplete-scripts/article9338692.ece?secpage=true&secname=entertainment|location=Chennai, India}}

His next release, Vaaranam Aayiram (2008), saw him re-collaborate with Suriya, who played dual roles in the film. The film illustrates the theme of how a father often came across in his son's life as a hero and inspiration, and Menon dedicated the film to his late father who died in 2007.{{cite web|year=2008|title=Rahman has given me six fantastic songs|website=Behindwoods|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/director/gautham-menon.html|archive-date=23 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123154104/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/director/gautham-menon.html|url-status=live}} The pre-production of the film, then titled Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam began in 2003, with Menon planning it as a romantic film with Suriya as a follow-up to their successful previous collaboration, Kaakha Kaakha.{{cite web|year=2004|title=Gautham Menon's romantic tale|website=Sify|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://tfmpage.com/forum/archives/3905.17808.23.53.06.html|archive-date=19 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719090411/http://tfmpage.com/forum/archives/3905.17808.23.53.06.html|url-status=live}} Abhirami was signed and then dropped due to her height before a relatively new actress at the time Asin was selected to make her debut in Tamil films with the project. The first schedule of the film began in January 2004 in Visakhapatanam and consequently romantic scenes with Suriya and Asin were shot for ten days and then a photo shoot with the pair. The film was subsequently stalled and was eventually relaunched with a new cast including Divya Spandana, Simran and Sameera Reddy in 2006 with Aascar Ravichandran stepping in as producer, who opted for a change of title. Menon has described the film as "autobiographical and a very personal story and if people didn't know, that 70% of this [the film] is from my life". Throughout the film-making process, Menon improvised the script to pay homage to his late father by adding a family angle to the initial romantic script, with Suriya eventually playing dual roles. The film's production process became noted for the strain and the hard work that Suriya had gone through to portray the different roles with production taking nearly two years. The film was released to a positive response, with critics heaping praise on Suriya's performance while claiming that the film was "just a feather in Gautam's hat" and that it was "a classic".{{cite web|author=Srinivasan, Pavithra|year=2008|title=It's Surya all the way|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/14its-surya-all-the-way.htm|archive-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619035227/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/14its-surya-all-the-way.htm|url-status=live}} The film was made at a budget of 150 million rupees and became a commercial success, bringing in almost 220 million rupees worldwide. It went on to become Menon's most appreciated work till date winning five Filmfare Awards, nine Vijay Awards and the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for 2008 amongst other accolades. Post-release of the film, Menon had a public fallout with his regular music composer Harris Jayaraj and announced that they would no longer work together, though they later returned in 2015 for Yennai Arindhaal.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/end-of-an-era-harris-and-goutham-to-work-together-no-more-tamil-news-42982.html|title=End of an era Harris and Goutham to work together no more|work=indiaglitz.com|date=13 November 2008 |access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924171334/http://www.indiaglitz.com/end-of-an-era-harris-and-goutham-to-work-together-no-more-tamil-news-42982.html|url-status=live}} In late 2008, during the making of Vaaranam Aayiram, he had signed on with Sivaji Productions to direct Ajith Kumar and Sameera Reddy in an action film titled Surangani.{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/ajit-gautham-come-together-in-surangani-news-tamil-kkfsQxfdjjfsi.html|title=Ajit & Gautham come together in Surangani|work=Sify|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135412/http://www.sify.com/movies/ajit-gautham-come-together-in-surangani-news-tamil-kkfsQxfdjjfsi.html|url-status=dead}} Menon later pulled out of the commitment citing that the producers were not willing to let him take his own time with scripting.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/director/gautham-menon-2.html|title=Director Gautham Vasudev Menon – Interview – Behindwoods.com – Vaaranam Aayiram Kakka Kakka Pachaikili Muthucharam Minnale Suriya Kamal Haasan Kamal Hassan images Tamil picture gallery images|work=behindwoods.com|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=17 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917082039/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/director/gautham-menon-2.html|url-status=live}}

In 2010, Menon made a return to romantic genre after 2 years with the Tamil romantic film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), starring Silambarasan and Trisha.{{cite news|author=Aishwarya, S|year=2009|title=Gautam Menon now eyes the skies lovely with love|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-02-26|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/03/stories/2009030357580200.htm|location=Chennai, India|archive-date=17 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917032203/http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/03/stories/2009030357580200.htm|url-status=dead}} Originally planned as a Jessie with Mahesh Babu in the lead role, the actor's refusal prompted Menon to make the Tamil version first. The film explored the complicated relationship between a Hindu Tamil assistant director, Karthik, and a Christian Malayali girl, Jessie and their resultant emotional conflicts. The film featured music by A. R. Rahman in his first collaboration with Menon whilst cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa was also selected to be a part of the technical crew. Menon cited that he was "a week away from starting the film with a newcomer" before his producer insisted they looked at Silambarasan, with Menon revealing that he was unimpressed with the actor's previous work. The film was in production for close to a year and throughout the opening week of filming, promotional posters from classic Indian romantic films were released featuring the lead pair.{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2009|title=Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya- Gautham-Simbu film?|website=Sify|access-date=2009-02-09|url=http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14853556&cid=2363|archive-date=16 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416141137/http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14853556&cid=2363|url-status=dead}} Prior to release, the film became the first Tamil project to have a music soundtrack premiere outside of India, with a successful launch at the BAFTA in London.{{cite web|year=2009|title=Silambarasan, Trisha, Gautam & Rahman in London!|website=Behindwoods|access-date=2009-12-21|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/dec-09-04/silambarasan-trisha-vinnaithaandi-varuvaaya-21-12-09.html|archive-date=3 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403075655/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/dec-09-04/silambarasan-trisha-vinnaithaandi-varuvaaya-21-12-09.html|url-status=dead}} Upon release, the film achieved positive reviews, with several critics giving the film "classic" status, whilst also become a commercially successful venture.{{cite web|author=Srinivasan, Pavithra|year=2010|title=Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is a must watch|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2010-02-26|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/26/review-vinnaithaandi-varuvaayaa.htm|archive-date=5 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205212410/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/26/review-vinnaithaandi-varuvaayaa.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|website=Sify|title=Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya review|access-date=2010-02-26|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14933091&ctid=5&cid=2429|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301054918/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14933091&ctid=5&cid=2429|archive-date=1 March 2010|url-status=dead}} Reviewers praised Menon citing that "credit for their perfect portrayal, of course, goes to Gautam Vasudev Menon. This is one director who's got the pulse of today's urban youth perfectly" and that "crafted a movie that will stay in our hearts for a long, long time." Soon after the Tamil version began shoot, Menon decided to begin a Telugu version titled Ye Maaya Chesave (2010) and release it simultaneously, with featuring a fresh cast of Naga Chaitanya and debutante Samantha. Like the Tamil version, the film won critical acclaim and was given "classic" status from critics, as it went on to become among the most profitable Telugu films of 2010.{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2010|title=Ye Maaya Chesave|website=Sify|access-date=2010-02-26|url=http://sify.com/movies/telugu/review.php?id=14933284&ctid=5&cid=2430|archive-date=11 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811153931/http://www.sify.com/movies/telugu/review.php?id=14933284&ctid=5&cid=2430|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Jeevi|year=2010|title=Ye Maya Chesave|publisher=Idlebrain|access-date=2010-02-26|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-yemayachesave.html|archive-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918025140/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-yemayachesave.html|url-status=live}} In 2016, he revealed that he had scripted a spin-off film from Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa titled Ondraga, where the character of Karthik's life would be followed eight years after the happenings of the previous film.

He next began research and pre-production work on a 1920s period spy thriller titled Thuppariyum Anand in early 2010, with both Ajith Kumar and then Suriya considered for the lead roles, but the film failed to progress.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/mar-10-01/ajith-gautham-menon-01-03-10.html|title=Ajith is Thuppariyum Anand – Tamil Movie News – Ajith – Gautham Menon – Thuppariyum Anand – Ulavali – Dayanidhi Azhagiri – Harris Jeyaraj – Behindwoods.com|work=behindwoods.com|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230719/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/mar-10-01/ajith-gautham-menon-01-03-10.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article298101.ece|title=Suriya steps in as 'Thuppariyum Anand'|work=The New Indian Express}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Menon had also made progress over the previous two years directing the psychological thriller Nadunisi Naaygal (2011) featuring his assistant and debutant Veera Bahu and Sameera Reddy. Menon claimed that the film was inspired by a true event from the US, while also claiming that a novel also helped form the story of the film. During the making, he explicitly revealed that the film was for "the multiplex audience" and would face a limited release, citing that "it will not cater to all sections of the audience". He promoted the film by presenting a chat show dubbed as Koffee with Gautham where he interviewed Bharathiraja and Silambarasan, both of whom had previously worked in such psychological thriller films with Sigappu Rojakkal and Manmadhan. The film, which was his first home production under Photon Kathaas and did not have a background score, told the story of a victim of child abuse and the havoc he causes to women, narrating the events of a particular day. The film opened to mixed reviews with one critic citing it as "above average" but warning that "don't go expecting a typical Gautham romantic film" and that it "is definitely not for the family audiences", while criticizing that "there are too many loopholes in the story, raising doubts about logic".{{cite web|year=2011|title=Nadunisi Naaygal|website=Sify|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/nadunisi-naaygal-review-tamil-14963242.html|archive-date=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008221704/http://www.sify.com/movies/nadunisi-naaygal-review-tamil-14963242.html|url-status=dead}} In contrast another critic dubbed it as an "unimpressive show by director Menon, as it is neither convincing nor appealing, despite having some engrossing moments".{{cite web|year=2011|title='Nadunisi Naaygal' an unimpressive show by star director Menon|website=Sify|access-date=2011-04-28|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/nadunisi-naaygal-an-unimpressive-show-by-star-director-menon-tamil-movie-review-news-national-lcurajhbjcd.html|archive-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223003412/http://www.sify.com/movies/nadunisi-naaygal-an-unimpressive-show-by-star-director-menon-tamil-movie-review-news-national-lcurajhbjcd.html|url-status=dead}} A group of protesters held a protest outside Gautham's house on reason for misusing a goddess's name in his film and also showing explicit sex and violent scenes, claiming that it was against Tamil culture.{{cite web |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/feb-11-04/nadunisi-naaygal-gautham-vasudev-menon-28-02-11.html |title=Protests For Nadunisi Naaygal |website=Behindwoods |date=2011-02-28 |access-date=2013-08-20 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927215511/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/feb-11-04/nadunisi-naaygal-gautham-vasudev-menon-28-02-11.html |url-status=live }} Soon after the release of the film, Menon began pre-production work on a television series featuring Parthiban in the lead role of a detective, but did not carry through with the idea after he failed to find financiers.{{Cite news|url=https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/between-reviews-shooting-from-the-lip/|title=Between Reviews: Shooting from the Lip|date=2011-02-12|work=Baradwaj Rangan|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en-US|archive-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315181257/https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/between-reviews-shooting-from-the-lip/|url-status=live}}

Menon returned to Bollywood with the Hindi remake of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, titled Ekk Deewana Tha (2012), with Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Four-diffrent-endings-for-Prateik-Amy-Jacksons-film/articleshow/11899122.cms | title=Four different endings for Prateik-Amy Jackson's film | work=The Times of India | date=16 February 2012 | access-date=17 February 2012 | archive-date=18 May 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518163554/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-16/news-interviews/31063650_1_climax-prateik-amy-jackson-gautham-menon | url-status=live }} Unlike the South Indian versions, the film opened to unanimously below average reviews, with critics noting the story "got lost in translation",{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-ek-deewana-tha-fails-to-deliver/20120217.htm|title=Review: Ekk Deewana Tha fails to deliver|publisher=Rediff|date=2012-02-17|access-date=2013-08-20|archive-date=16 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516061320/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-ek-deewana-tha-fails-to-deliver/20120217.htm|url-status=live}} and became a box office failure.{{cite web|title=Ek Tha Deewana Has Dull Opening|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4054&nCat=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419143757/http://boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4054&nCat=|archive-date=2012-04-19|work=17 February 2012|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com|access-date=17 February 2012}} Post-release, Menon admitted that he "got the casting wrong", and subsequently other Hindi films he had pre-planned were dropped.{{cite news|title=Maybe I got the casting wrong: Gautham Menon|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Maybe-I-got-the-casting-wrong-Gautham-Menon/articleshow/12067260.cms|access-date=8 March 2012|date=28 February 2012|author=Sunayana Suresh|archive-date=18 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518175603/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-28/news-interviews/31107562_1_amy-jackson-gautham-menon-ekk-deewana-tha|newspaper=The Times of India|url-status=live}} During the period, Menon also began pre-production work on the first film of an action-adventure series of films titled Yohan starring Vijay in the title role. However, after a year of pre-production, the director shelved the film citing differences of opinion about the project.{{cite news |author=V Lakshmi |agency=TNN |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Yohan-shelved-new-script-for-Vijay/articleshow/15617580.cms |title=Yohan shelved; new script for Vijay? |date=2012-08-24 |access-date=2013-08-20 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518155013/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-24/news-interviews/33343315_1_gautham-menon-yohan-thuppakki |work=The Times of India |url-status=live }}

Menon's next releases were the romantic films Neethaane En Ponvasantham (2012) in Tamil and Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu (2012) in Telugu, both co-produced by Photon Kathaas. Jiiva and Nani played the lead roles in each version respectively, while Samantha was common in both films. Ilaiyaraaja was chosen as music composer for the film, which told the story of three stages in the life of a couple.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Ilaiyaraaja-Gautham-Menon-to-join-hands/articleshow/11683333.cms |title=Ilaiyaraaja, Gautham Menon to join hands |work=The Times of India |date=30 January 2012 |access-date=31 January 2012 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518174732/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-30/news-interviews/31005298_1_gautham-menon-marathi-films-music |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/77371.html |title=Ilayaraja to compose for Gautham's NEP |website=IndiaGlitz |access-date=31 January 2012 |archive-date=3 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203022854/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/77371.html |url-status=live }} A third Hindi version Assi Nabbe Poorey Sau, was also shot simultaneously with Aditya Roy Kapoor playing the lead role, though the failure of Ek Deewana Tha saw production ultimately halted.{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/70638.html |title=Ram-Gautham's film titled as Nithya — Telugu Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=2011-09-07 |access-date=2011-09-16 |archive-date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409002508/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/70638.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/70696.html |title=Gautham's triple dose — Telugu Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=2011-09-07 |access-date=2011-09-16 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024073517/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/70696.html |url-status=live }} The films both opened to average reviews and collections, with critics noting Menon "falls into the trap every seasoned filmmaker dreads -- of repeating his own mandatory formula" though noting that the film has its "sparkling moments".{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-needhane-en-ponvasantham-is-disappointing/20121214.htm|title=Review: Needhane En Ponvasantham is disappointing|publisher=Rediff|date=2012-12-14|access-date=2013-08-20|archive-date=14 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214032426/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-needhane-en-ponvasantham-is-disappointing/20121214.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/neethane-en-ponvasantham-review-tamil-15015346.html |title=Movie Review : Neethane En Ponvasantham |website=Sify |access-date=2013-08-20 |archive-date=3 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503232714/http://www.sify.com/movies/neethane-en-ponvasantham-review-tamil-15015346.html |url-status=dead }} The response of the film prompted a legal tussle to ensue between Menon and the film's producer Elred Kumar, prompting the director to release an emotionally charged letter attempting to clear his name of any financial wrongdoing.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/news-and-interviews/Elred-files-case-against-Gautham-Menon/articleshow/18349883.cms | title=Elred files case against Gautham Menon | access-date=20 December 2013 | archive-date=17 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917013206/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-06/news-and-interviews/36765360_1_gautham-menon-vinnaithaandi-varuvaayaa-files-case | work=The Times of India | url-status=live }} Menon was then briefly associated with the anthology film, X, helping partially direct a script written by Thiagarajan Kumararaja before opting out and being replaced by Nalan Kumarasamy.{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-starts-shooting-in-pudhuchery-news-tamil-nhjkIncfcdf.html|title=Gautham Menon starts shooting in Pudhuchery!|work=Sify|access-date=20 December 2013|archive-date=3 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103044811/http://www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-starts-shooting-in-pudhuchery-news-tamil-nhjkIncfcdf.html|url-status=dead}} He also began production work on a big-budgeted venture titled Dhruva Natchathiram, signing up an ensemble cast including Suriya, Trisha, Priya Anand, and Arun Vijay, with a series of posters issued and an official launch event being held. However, in October 2013, Suriya left the film citing Menon's lack of progress in developing the script and the film was subsequently dropped.{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Suriya-dumps-Gautham-Menon/articleshow/23952596.cms | title=Suriya dumps Gautham Menon | work=The Times of India | access-date=6 January 2017 | archive-date=3 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103210745/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Suriya-dumps-Gautham-Menon/articleshow/23952596.cms | url-status=live }} Later in early 2015, Menon restarted pre-production for the project with Vikram and Nayantara, but again was forced to postpone the film citing financial restraints.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/gautam-menon-talks-about-yennai-arindhal-his-next-project-with-vikram-and-about-working-with-kamal-haasan/article6986562.ece|title=I can't go off love stories|author=S. Shivakumar|work=The Hindu|date=12 March 2015|access-date=13 March 2015|archive-date=13 March 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150313072118/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/gautam-menon-talks-about-yennai-arindhal-his-next-project-with-vikram-and-about-working-with-kamal-haasan/article6986562.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150529/entertainment-kollywood/article/gautham-menon-puts-vikram%E2%80%99s-film-back-burner|title=Gautham Menon puts Vikram's film on back burner|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305230227/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150529/entertainment-kollywood/article/gautham-menon-puts-vikram%E2%80%99s-film-back-burner|url-status=live}}

Following Suriya's withdrawal from Dhruva Natchathiram, Menon moved on to begin a romantic thriller film with Silambarasan and Pallavi Subhash in the lead role from November 2013. The film developed under the title Sattendru Maarathu Vaanilai and was shot for thirty days, before the film was put on hold as a result of Menon getting an offer from producer A. M. Rathnam to begin a film starring Ajith Kumar. Consequently, in April 2014, he began filming for Yennai Arindhaal (2015), the third instalment in his franchise of police films. He described Ajith's character Sathyadev as an "extension" of the protagonists from Kaakha Kaakha and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, while Trisha, Anushka Shetty, Arun Vijay and Parvathy Nair were also selected to portray supporting roles.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/yennai-arindhaal-was-meant-to-have-traces-of-my-past-films-gautham-menon/article6908649.ece|title='Yennai Arindhaal' was meant to have traces of my past films: Gautham Menon|author=IANS|work=The Hindu|date=18 February 2015|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150219110604/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/yennai-arindhaal-was-meant-to-have-traces-of-my-past-films-gautham-menon/article6908649.ece|url-status=live}} The film saw him collaborate again with music composer Harris Jayaraj, for the first time since their spat in 2008, while writers Shridhar Raghavan and Thiagarajan Kumararaja were both also involved in the screen-writing process. Focussing on the story of a police officer's professional and personal life from the ages of thirteen to thirty-eight with the backdrop of tackling an organ-trafficking gang, Yennai Arindhaal opened to mixed to positive reviews in February 2015.[https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/I-am-dying-to-work-with-Ajith-again/articleshow/46277259.cms "‘I am dying to work with Ajith again’"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219105050/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/I-am-dying-to-work-with-Ajith-again/articleshow/46277259.cms |date=19 February 2015 }}. Bangaloremirror.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/yennai-arindhaal-box-office-collection-ajith-starrer-crosses-500k-mark-us-623581|title=Yennai Arindhaal got Positive reviews from critics and audience alike|author=Nicy V.P|work=International Business Times|date=16 February 2015|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223120252/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/yennai-arindhaal-box-office-collection-ajith-starrer-crosses-500k-mark-us-623581|url-status=live}} Critics from The Hindu wrote it "leaves you feeling like having gone back to a well-known play you have enjoyed a few times over", and that it is "a much-needed intervention in the Tamil commercial cinema space" while also "the most engaging of the three [police films]".{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/yennai-arindhaal-film-review-ending-cop-trilogy-on-a-high/article6860703.ece|title='Yennai Arindhaal': Ending cop trilogy on a high|author=Karthik Subramanian|work=The Hindu|date=5 February 2015|access-date=6 February 2015|archive-date=25 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225084746/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/yennai-arindhaal-film-review-ending-cop-trilogy-on-a-high/article6860703.ece|url-status=live}} Reviewer Udhav Naig of The Hindu added that "Gautham wins as he has reconfigured, albeit not radically, the basic contours of a Tamil cop", and that he "has consistently improved on the character sketch in the last three films."{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/yennai-arindhaal-film-review-the-evolved-cop/article6861277.ece|title='Yennai Arindhaal' – The Evolved Cop|author=Udhav Naig|work=The Hindu|date=5 February 2015|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=11 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511032044/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/yennai-arindhaal-film-review-the-evolved-cop/article6861277.ece|url-status=live}} The film also performed well at the box office and gave Menon his first commercially successful Tamil film in five years.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/ajiths-yennai-arindhaal-collects-rs-2083-crore/article6868579.ece|title=Ajith's 'Yennai Arindhaal' collects Rs. 20.83 crore|author=IANS|work=The Hindu|date=7 February 2015|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=9 February 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150209173430/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/ajiths-yennai-arindhaal-collects-rs-2083-crore/article6868579.ece|url-status=live}} Soon after the release, he began work on a sequel to the film and expressed his interest in approaching Ajith again to work together in the future.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ill-stand-outside-ajiths-gate-gauthammenon/article7903383.ece?secpage=true&secname=entertainment|title=I'll stand outside Ajith's gate: Gautham Menon|author=Sudhir Srinivasan|work=The Hindu|date=21 November 2015|access-date=3 February 2016|archive-date=19 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119114444/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ill-stand-outside-ajiths-gate-gauthammenon/article7903383.ece|url-status=live}} Menon also worked as a singer in Radha Mohan's film Uppu Karuvaadu (2015).{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-sings-in-radha-mohan-s-uppu-karuvadu-news-tamil-pc2jUChjbbcfb.html|title=Gautham Menon sings in Radha Mohan's 'Uppu Karuvadu'|work=Sify|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-date=2 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302142325/http://www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menon-sings-in-radha-mohan-s-uppu-karuvadu-news-tamil-pc2jUChjbbcfb.html|url-status=dead}}

After Yennai Arindhaal, Menon resumed work on his film with Silambarasan under the new title of Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada, with Manjima Mohan joining the cast to replace Pallavi Sharda. A Telugu version with Naga Chaitanya and Manjima was simultaneously shot under the title Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo, with Menon revealing that he hoped to finance the Tamil version through the salary he received from the Telugu film's producers.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Achcham-Yenbathu-Madaaiyada-title-of-Gautham-Simbu-film/articleshow/46410282.cms|title=Achcham Yenbathu Madaaiyada: title of Gautham-Simbu film|work=The Times of India|access-date=1 March 2015|archive-date=24 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624011738/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Achcham-Yenbathu-Madaaiyada-title-of-Gautham-Simbu-film/articleshow/46410282.cms|url-status=live |last1=Karthik |first1=Janani }} The film developed slowly and was further delayed after Silambarasan refused to shoot for the film following a salary dispute during mid-2016. Menon also has Enai Noki Paayum Thota, a drama featuring Dhanush and Megha Akash in production, with the shoot began during February 2016.

Menon also has several proposed directorial projects in production. He began producing and directing Dhruva Natchathiram in late 2016 with Vikram leading an ensemble cast. Despite regular schedules throughout 2017, the film has been put on hold as Menon looks to raise funds. He has agreed terms to make an anthology film for Netflix, and another film titled Joshua: Adhiyayam Ondru for Vels Film International featuring Varun.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/four-tamil-filmmakers-to-make-an-anthology-for-netflix/article29278347.ece|title=Four Tamil filmmakers to make an anthology for Netflix|newspaper=The Hindu|date=28 August 2019|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141001/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/four-tamil-filmmakers-to-make-an-anthology-for-netflix/article29278347.ece|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/enpt-and-dhruva-natchathiram-yet-to-release-gautham-begins-a-new-project-news-tamil-thxlqwdijejdb.html |title=ENPT and Dhruva Natchathiram yet to release,Gautham begins a new project? |website=Sify |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=28 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828144742/https://www.sify.com/movies/enpt-and-dhruva-natchathiram-yet-to-release-gautham-begins-a-new-project-news-tamil-thxlqwdijejdb.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/prashanth-next-new-movie-andhadhun-tamil-remake-directed-by-gautham-menon-tamil-news-243195 |title=Prashanth and Gautham Menon team up – Tamil News |date=28 August 2019 |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=28 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828143242/https://www.indiaglitz.com/prashanth-next-new-movie-andhadhun-tamil-remake-directed-by-gautham-menon-tamil-news-243195 |url-status=live }} He has also completed a web series titled Queen based on the life of political leader Jayalalithaa, which features Ramya Krishnan in the lead role. The series is released on MX Player.{{Cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/news/trailer-of-gautham-vasudev-menons-series-queen-starring-ramya-krishnan-out-now/|title=Trailer of Gautham Vasudev Menon's Series 'Queen' Starring Ramya Krishnan Out Now|first=Aparajitha|last=Balu|date=2019-12-06|website=Silverscreen.in|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-07|archive-date=7 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207155111/https://silverscreen.in/news/trailer-of-gautham-vasudev-menons-series-queen-starring-ramya-krishnan-out-now/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.in.com/entertainment/regional/title-of-gautham-menons-web-series-on-jayalalitha-is-here-ramya-krishnan-to-play-the-lead-301687.htm |title=Title of Gautham Menon's web series on Jayalalitha is here, Ramya Krishnan to play the lead! - in.com |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=28 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828143238/https://www.in.com/entertainment/regional/title-of-gautham-menons-web-series-on-jayalalitha-is-here-ramya-krishnan-to-play-the-lead-301687.htm |url-status=dead }} Menon also still aspires to complete his proposed multilingual film titled Ondraaga, which would be a spiritual sequel to Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/gvm-to-collaborate-with-dhanush-for-the-first-time.html|title=Gautham Menon to collaborate with Dhanush for the first time|author=Vaishnavi|work=Behindwoods|date=29 January 2016|access-date=3 February 2016|archive-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131202758/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/gvm-to-collaborate-with-dhanush-for-the-first-time.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-dhanush-finally-says-yes-to-director-gautham-menon-2179074 | title=Dhanush finally says yes to director Gautham Menon! | work=DNA India | date=18 February 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-date=20 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220232759/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-dhanush-finally-says-yes-to-director-gautham-menon-2179074 | url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/090716/things-will-be-sorted-out-with-simbu-gautham-menon.html|title=Things will be sorted out with Simbu: Gautham Menon|date=2016-07-09|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en|archive-date=11 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711092824/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/090716/things-will-be-sorted-out-with-simbu-gautham-menon.html|url-status=live}}

Menon has stated that he is largely inspired by the "depth and aesthetics" that are created by American films. He usually makes the characters in his films sport identical haircuts and urban casual wear and by speaking in English. His films are also known for their strong depiction of female characters, in contrast to other contemporary Tamil films which, according to journalist Sudhish Kamath, are "hero-worshipping star vehicles where the heroine is just a mere prop". Kamath also notes that several defining traits of Menon's films include liberal doses of English and restraint, the villains being "a seriously dangerous threat", his male protagonists being a "picture of grace and dignity" who are yet fallible, who love their fathers and are trying hard to be good men, who respect women and accept them for who they are.{{Cite news |first=Sudhish|last=Kamath |date=7 February 2015 |title=The hero has a name |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-by-the-way/article6869054.ece |url-status=live |access-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109100615/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-by-the-way/article6869054.ece |archive-date=9 January 2018}} The majority of Menon's police films feature a woman, typically the male lead's wife or lover, being fridged.{{Cite web |title=A brief history of fridging in Tamil cinema |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/jun/06/a-brief-history-of-fridging-in-tamil-cinema-1824210.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504101314/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/jun/06/a-brief-history-of-fridging-in-tamil-cinema-1824210.html |archive-date=4 May 2019 |access-date=4 May 2019 |website=The New Indian Express|date=6 June 2018 }} Menon stated that distributors and financiers often lay several limitations and constraints on his films, that such actions only drift his thoughts and make him feel like he is losing creative control.{{Cite web |title=Director Gautham Menon talks about his Organic Approach to Filmmaking! |url=http://www.studentfilmer.com/interviews/director-gautham-menon-gets-talking-about-his-style-and-craft-of-filmmaking/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207170826/http://www.studentfilmer.com/interviews/director-gautham-menon-gets-talking-about-his-style-and-craft-of-filmmaking/ |archive-date=7 February 2016 |access-date=3 February 2016 |website=Student Filmer}} Though his films are perceived as targeting mainly urban audiences, Menon feels they can be enjoyed by anyone.{{Cite web |date=26 November 2008 |title=Chat Transcripts of Gautham Menon |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/chat-transcripts-of-gautham-menon-news-tamil-kkfsB2cgdfgsi.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-01-19 |website=Sify |archive-date=18 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118141239/http://www.sify.com/movies/chat-transcripts-of-gautham-menon-news-tamil-kkfsB2cgdfgsi.html }}

According to The Hindu{{'}}s Udhav Naig, Menon's films are "regulated by a matrix of strong middle-class values", and also have biographical elements which, according to Menon, are inspired by his own life.{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=3 February 2015 |title=Home is where the stories are |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/interview-with-gautham-vasudev-menon/article6852727.ece |url-status=live |access-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118114229/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/interview-with-gautham-vasudev-menon/article6852727.ece |archive-date=18 January 2016}} Menon prefers to write the climax of his films only after filming has significantly progressed, stating that though he has an idea about the climax, it always changes when the film starts shooting.{{Cite web |date=16 August 2015 |title=I pen the climax of my films only after shooting starts: Gautham Menon |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150816/entertainment-kollywood/article/i-pen-climax-my-films-only-after-shooting-starts-gautham |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310174520/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150816/entertainment-kollywood/article/i-pen-climax-my-films-only-after-shooting-starts-gautham |archive-date=10 March 2016 |access-date=3 February 2016 |website=Deccan Chronicle}} He also names his films after classic Tamil phrases and lines from Tamil film songs such as Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada being named after the namesake song from Mannathi Mannan (1960) and Yennai Arindhaal being named after the song "Unnai Arindhaal" from Vettaikkaran (1964).{{Cite web |title=Another MGR inspired title for Gautham Menon? |url=http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/another-mgr-inspired-title-for-gautham-menon-news-tamil-pcjkItabcfedc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212013441/http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/another-mgr-inspired-title-for-gautham-menon-news-tamil-pcjkItabcfedc.html |archive-date=12 February 2019 |access-date=10 February 2019 |website=Sify}} Menon dislikes watching dubbed versions of his own films, and claims his scripts have "a universal theme", citing this as the reason he chose to film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya in Telugu as Ye Maaya Chesave, rather than dub.{{Cite news |title=Multilingual dreams |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Multilingual-dreams/articleshow/9933173.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407181148/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Multilingual-dreams/articleshow/9933173.cms |archive-date=7 April 2019 |access-date=10 February 2019 |website=The Times of India}} Menon also makes cameo appearances in the films he directs.{{Cite news |title=Gautham Menon to play a cameo in Dhanush's 'Power Pandi' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Gautham-Menon-to-play-a-cameo-in-Dhanushs-Power-Pandi/articleshow/54520469.cms |url-status=live |access-date=2018-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515201455/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Gautham-Menon-to-play-a-cameo-in-Dhanushs-Power-Pandi/articleshow/54520469.cms |archive-date=15 May 2018}} Menon's films notably feature voiceovers, either from the view of the protagonist or the antagonist.{{Cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |date=2019-09-03 |title=I'm a victim of the business of cinema: Gautham Menon on 'Enai Noki Paayum Thota' |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/gautham-menon-talks-about-enai-noki-paayum-thota/article29323382.ece |access-date=2022-01-15 |archive-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115152216/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/gautham-menon-talks-about-enai-noki-paayum-thota/article29323382.ece |url-status=live }}

Uthara Menon is his sister and she has worked on his films following Yennai Arindhaal (2015).{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menons-childhood-family-pic-goes-viral-news-tamil-uibgvzejhjbea.html|title=Gautham Menon's childhood family pic goes viral!|website=Sify|access-date=8 November 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812153458/https://www.sify.com/movies/gautham-menons-childhood-family-pic-goes-viral-news-tamil-uibgvzejhjbea.html|url-status=dead}}

• Note: He was credited as Gautham from 2001 to 2008.

This is a list of films that Gautham Vasudev Menon produced for other directors.

This is a list of films that Gautham Vasudev Menon acted for other directors.

This is a list of films that Gautham Vasudev Menon worked for other directors for various roles.

;Awards

• Honour by Government of Tamil Nadu – Kalaimamani (2021)
• Vijay Award for Favourite Director for Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)

;National Film Awards

• National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
• National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Thanga Meenkal (2013)

;Filmfare Awards

• Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil for Thanga Meenkal (2013)

;Nandi Awards

• Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer for Ye Maaya Chesave (2010)
• Nandi Special Jury Award for Ye Maaya Chesave (2010){{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/nandi-awards-2012-and-2013-rajamouli-ilayaraja-samantha-and-prabhas-emerge-winners-4549659/|title=Nandi Awards 2012 and 2013: Rajamouli, Ilayaraja, Samantha and Prabhas emerge winners|date=1 March 2017|access-date=16 October 2020|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226060508/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/nandi-awards-2012-and-2013-rajamouli-ilayaraja-samantha-and-prabhas-emerge-winners-4549659/|url-status=live}}

;Other Awards

• Vijay Award for Best Film for Thanga Meenkal (2013)
• Rotary Club of Chennai – Honored for Creative Excellence (2010)

• Gautham Vasudev Menon's unrealized projects

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|id=1069826}}

{{Gautham Menon|state=collapsed}}

{{Nandi Special Jury Award|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Menon, Gautham Vasudev}}

Category:Living people

Category:1973 births

Category:21st-century Indian people

Category:Film directors from Chennai

Category:Film directors from Palakkad district

Category:Film producers from Kerala

Category:Filmfare Awards South winners

Category:Nandi Award winners

Category:CineMAA Awards winners

Category:People from Ottapalam

Category:Screenwriters from Kerala

Category:Tamil screenwriters

Category:Telugu film producers