Suraj (director)
{{short description|Indian filmmaker}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Suraj
| image =
| birth_name =Suresh{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Mm3vIOgAU |archive-url=|archive-date= |title="சத்யராஜ் ஒரு ஜென்டில்மேன்" - DIRECTOR SURAAJ VADIVELU CHITRALAKSHMANAN CHAI WITH CHITRA |date=May 22, 2023 |website=YouTube |publisher=Touring Talkies |at=name mentioned at 15:01 |access-date= 3 August 2023}}{{cbignore}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|12|31}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iflicks.in/StarPage/Director/Suraj|title=Iflicks: Latest Tamil cinema news - Kollywood latest news - Tamil movie stills|work=iflicks.in|accessdate=28 June 2016}}
| birth_place = Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
| years_active = 1998 - Present
| occupation = Film director
}}
Suraj (born Suresh; December 31, 1977) is an Indian film director who works primarily in Tamil films. He is best known for directing action and masala films.{{Cite web|url=http://screenindia.com/20010727/rtam3.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030119044058/http://screenindia.com/20010727/rtam3.html|archive-date = 19 January 2003|title = Entertainment News: Latest Bollywood & Hollywood News, Today's Entertainment News Headlines}}
Career
In 1996, Suraj began working as an assistant director to Sundar C on his comedy films Ullathai Allitha and Mettukudi. In 1997, he continued to assist Sundar C on Arunachalam starring Rajinikanth and he was the co-director of the film Janakiraman.{{cite web | url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/director/suraj | title=Kollywood Director Suraj Biography, News, Photos, Videos }} He then made Kunguma Pottu Gounder and Military under the name Sai Suresh.{{cite web |last=Rasika |title=Name Game |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/sep272.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040826205917/http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/sep272.asp |archive-date=26 August 2004 |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Chennai Online}}
Then, Suraj returned to assist Sundar C in his films. In 2006, he made his directorial comeback through Thalai Nagaram, starring his mentor Sundar C, Jyothirmayi and Vadivelu. The following year, Suraj made his third film Marudhamalai, featured Arjun, Nila and again comedian Vadivelu. In 2009, he directed Padikathavan starring Dhanush, Tamannaah and due his busy schedule, Vadivelu has been replaced by comedian Vivek. The film was distributed by Sun Pictures. In 2011, he made Mappillai, remake of the 1989 film Mappillai. The film starring Dhanush, Hansika Motwani and Manisha Koirala.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/mapillai-remake-spurs-demand-for-original-rajni-starrer/articleshow/7930101.cms | title=Mapillai remake spurs demand for original Rajni-starrer | newspaper=The Times of India | date=10 April 2011 }} The film received mixed reviews, but the film became a hit at the box office.{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14968998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425110716/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14968998 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2016 |title=Chennai Box Office - April 29 to May 1, 2011 |website=Sify |date=4 May 2011 |accessdate=14 January 2016}}
After Mappillai Suraj directed Alex Pandian starring Karthi and Anushka Shetty. The film released on 11 January 2013. After Alex Pandian's failure, Suraj directed Sakalakala Vallavan starring Jayam Ravi, Anjali and Trisha. The film released on 31 July 2015.{{cite web | url=https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/16980/tamil/sakalakala-vallavan/ | title=Sakalakala Vallavan (2015) | Sakalakala Vallavan Tamil Movie | Movie Reviews, Showtimes | date=20 February 2015 }} He later directed Kaththi Sandai starring Vishal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.moviebuff.com/kaththi-sandai|title=Kaththi Sandai on Moviebuff.com|website=Moviebuff.com}}
In 2022, Suraj directed Naai Sekar Returns, to Vadivelu’s character in Thalai Nagaram (2006) in which he plays a laughably over-the-top rowdy called Naai Sekar.{{cite web | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/naai-sekar-returns-review-lacklustre-comeback-vadivelu-170789 | title=Naai Sekar Returns Review: A lacklustre comeback for Vadivelu | date=9 December 2022 }}
Filmography
=As director=
=As writer=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Year !! Film !! Writer | ||
| 1999 | Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga | {{partial|Story}} |
=Onscreen appearances=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Year !! Film !!Role !!Notes | |||
| 1997 | Janakiraman | Janakiraman's cousin | Uncredited{{Cite AV media |title=Janakiraman |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Ganga Gowri Productions |year=1997}}{{rp|1:05:33–1:05:48}} |
| 1997 | Arunachalam | White shirt reporter in song "Singam Ondru" | Uncredited |
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu