J. Mahendran

J. Mahendran
Born	J. Alexander 25 July 1939 Ilaiyangudi, Madras Presidency, British India
Residence	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names	Mahendran
Occupation	Literary editor, director, screenwriter
Years active	1966–2006
Children	John Mahendran

J. Mahendran (born 25 July 1939 as Alexander)^[1] is an Indian film director in the Tamil film industry. Though largely ignored during his times, Mahendran is regarded as one of the greatest film makers of Tamil cinema and has inspired many upcoming directors. Particularly he has been an inspiration for the legends of Tamil cinema like Mani Ratnam and Rajinikanth.^[2]

Mahendran entered the film industry as a screenwriter, writing scripts for nearly 26 films. He made an immediate impact with his first directional venture Mullum Malarum (1978). Mahendran's next film Uthiripookkal, based on a short story written by Pudumaipithan, firmly established him as an important film maker in Tamil cinema. His Nenjathai Killathe won three National Film Awards including the award for the best regional film.

Biography

Mahendran was born in 1939 to Joseph Chelliah, a teacher and Manonmani.^[3] Mahendran did his schooling in Ilayangudi and completed his intermediate at American College, Madurai.^[3] Later he joined Alagappa Government Arts College to do a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. During his college days, he was very active in stage plays. It was during that time when M. G. Ramachandran (M.G.R) was invited as the chief guest for the college day during which Mahendran gave a speech that directly criticized the commercial elements that existed in cinema.^[3] Impressed by his speech M.G.R praised Mahendran and said that he could become a good critic.^[3] After completing his degree, he went to Madras to study law. Seven months after joining the course he had to discontinue due to financial concerns.^[3] He then decided to go back to Ilayangud However, on the insistence of Karaikudi Kannappa Valliappan he joined Inamuzhakkam, a periodical as a journalist.^[3] It was during this time he met M.G.R again and he was asked to write the screenplay of Ponniyin Selvan after the former decided to make a film based on the story.^[3] The idea of developing the screenplay into a film got delayed, and M.G.R asked Mahendran to write a story for his drama troupe.^[3] Mahendran wrote a script titled Anaadhaigal.^[3] M.G.R decided to make a film based in the play. He named the film Vaazhve Vaa and acted in the lead role alongside Savitri.^[3] The project got shelved after three days of shooting. Soon M.G.R acted in a film called Kaanchi Thalaivan and he recommended Mahendran to the director make him an assistant.^[3]

Mahendran made his breakthrough as a screenwriter for the film Naam Moovar in 1966.^[4] After the success of the film he got more offers from the same banner and worked in films like Sabaash Thambi and Panakkara Pillai, both released in the subsequent years.^[4] He also wrote the script for Nirakudam starring Sivaji Ganesan.^[4] He announced that he was working on a new film in 2014 starring newcomers, for which Ilaiyaraaja would score music.^[5]

Filmography

Year	Film	Credited as					Notes
		Director	Story	Screenplay	Dialogues	Actor
1966	Naam Moovar
1967	Sabash Thambi
1968	Panakkara Pillai
1969	Nirai Kudam
1972	Ganga
1974	Thirudi
1974	Thangapathakkam
1975	Thottadhellam Ponnagum
1975	Nambikkai Natchathiram
1975	Vaazhndhu Kaatukiren
1975	Avalukku Aayiram Kangal
1976	Vazhvu En Pakkam
1976	Mogam Muppadhu Varusham
1977	Sonthamadi Nee Enakku
1977	Chakravarthi
1977	Sonnathai Seiven
1977	Aadu Puli Attam
1978	Mullum Malarum
1978	Pagalil Oru Iravu
1979	Paruvamazhai						Tamil Dubbed version of Madanolsavam
1979	Uthiripookkal						Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director
1980	Challenge Ramudu
1980	Rishi Moolam
1980	Poottaatha Poottukkal
1980	Jhonny
1980	Kaali
1980	Nenjathai Killathe						National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1981	Nandu
1982	Hitler Umanath
1982	Metti
1982	Azhagiya Kanney
1984	Kai Kodukkum Kai
1986	Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu
1991	Thaiyalkaaran
1992	Naangal
1992	Oor Panjayathu
1999	Kallazhagar
2006	Sasanam
2016	Theri

As actor

• Kamaraj (2004)
• Theri (2016)

References

1. Bibekananda Ray; Naveen Joshi; India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Publications Division (1 January 2005). Conscience of the race: India's offbeat cinema. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 122. ISBN 978-81-230-1298-8. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
2. http://www.cinemanewstoday.com/director-j-mahendran/
3. "எம்.ஜி.ஆர். மூலமாக திரை உலகில் நுழைந்த மகேந்திரன்". Maalai Malar. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
4. "முள்ளும் மலரும் படத்தின் மூலம் இயக்குனர் ஆனார் மகேந்திரன்". Maalai Malar. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
5. http://www.sify.com/movies/illayaraja-s-music-has-been-my-films-soul-filmmaker-mahendran-news-kollywood-oczqumjfjjd.html

External links

• J.Mahendran at the Internet Movie Database