Keyaar

KR studied film processing at the Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972. Upon graduation in 1975, he spent three years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as a director and producer with the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to its release, the film faced a number of distribution problems and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it provided him the incentive to move into film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu covering territories including: Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi. He distributed successful films such as: Thillu Mullu, Thai Veedu, Vaidehi Kathirunthal, Sindhu Bhairavi, Punnagai Mannan, Chinna Poove Mella Pesu, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Poovizhi Vasalile, Guru Sishyan, Mappillai, Rajadhi Raja, and My Dear Kuttichathan 3D in Tamil.{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/08/19232152/my-dear-kuttichathan-kr-cinema.html |title=சோதனைகளை வென்று 'மை டியர் குட்டிச்சாத்தான்' மகத்தான வெற்றி! |publisher=Cinema.maalaimalar.com |date= |accessdate=10 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222204006/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/08/19232152/my-dear-kuttichathan-kr-cinema.html |url-status=live }}

Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films. His directorial debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave featured new actors and was a huge commercial success. His most notable collaborations are with actors Vijayakanth, Ramki, Khushbu, and with Urvashi on several occasions. In total he has directed fourteen feature films. His film Dancer, released in 2005, most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty, a highly talented and differently abled artist, won the National Award, three State Awards, and an award at the prestigious Canadian film festival.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}} The film also had a special screening at the London Disability Arts Forum.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

His involvement in film production includes producing and financing over forty films in various Indian Languages. While he was involved in film distribution he was also an exhibitor with twenty-eight theatres leased across: Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi; he also ran the Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai from 1984 to 1993.

He has played a role in some of the landmarks of Tamil cinema including: India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil and Telugu; Pesum Padam a movie without dialogue starring Kamalhassan; Maaveeran starring Rajinikanth; the first 70mm Tamil Film, Engalayum Vazha Vidungal a film which was notable for animals talking on screen; Spy Kids 3D using Anaglyph technology for the first time;{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2004/03/16/stories/2004031601170200.htm| title=Spy Kids with a difference|date=2004-03-16|work=The Hindu|accessdate=16 March 2014}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and Jai Vedalam the first film to be released in 3D in four languages.

He was elected president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) in 2013 and has worked on issues including title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers, and helping see through the release of delayed projects.{{cite web |author=Tamilcinema24.com |url=http://www.tamilcinema24.com/news.php?id=result-of-tamil-nadu-producer-council-election-kr-07-09-135887 |title=Result of Tamil Nadu Producer council election – Result of Tamil Nadu Producer Council Election – Kr- Keyar- Thanu- Viay Team- Suriya Team |publisher=Tamilcinema24.com |date=1 January 1970 |accessdate=10 February 2014 |archive-date=8 February 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140208165522/http://www.tamilcinema24.com/news.php?id=result-of-tamil-nadu-producer-council-election-kr-07-09-135887 |url-status=live }} Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity and having actors participate in all promotional activities for their films.

KR has also written a book Idhuthaan Cinema (This is Cinema) in Tamil published in 2003. It details the nuances of cinema and predicts its future viewed from today. He has been an authority on cinema since the early 1980s giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

KR worked at Raadaan Mediaworks as vice president.

He was one of the members of an eight-member advisory committee, which included several personalities from across the country, to advise the Honorable Union Minister in the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters pertaining to the Indian film industry in 2001.

He also served on the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1989 to study and submit a white paper on the state of the Tamil Film Industry.

• Pondatti Thevai (1990){{cite AV media |url-status = live |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/iiifQ1hLpms |archive-date = 2021-12-11| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiifQ1hLpms |title = Pondatti Thevai Movie : Thalapathi Dinesh, And Ashwini, Sentiment Scene |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
• Kadhal Virus (2002)

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|id=0450779}}
• [http://www.krfilms.net Official Website]

{{Keyaar}}

Category:Living people

Category:Film producers from Chennai

Category:Tamil film producers

Category:1953 births

Category:M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni

Category:20th-century Indian people

Category:21st-century Indian people

Category:Film directors from Chennai

Category:Indian film distributors