Kothanda Ramaiah
| Keyaar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Kothanda Ramaiah aka K R 1 January 1953[1] Chennai |
| Other names | Keyaar |
| Occupation | Film director, producer, distributor, exhibitor, media personality |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Spouse(s) | Indira |
Kothandaramiah (also credited as KR) is an Indian film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He was heading various positions in different organizations in the Film Industry.[2][3]
Career
KR pursued film processing course at Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972.[1] Upon graduation in 1975, he spent 3 years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as director and producer in the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to release, the film faced a lot of distribution troubles and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it gave him the momentum to take the plunge in film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu while predominantly covering territories such as Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet. Also in Pondicherry & 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.[4]
Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films, his first Directorial Debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave was a commercial Blockbuster with new faces. His most notable collaborations are with Vijayakanth, Ramki, Kushboo and with Urvashi(actress) on various occasions. In total he has directed 14 feature films. His film Dancer with a differently abled "Mr.Kutty" as the hero fetched the National Award, 3 State Awards and an Award in the prestigious Canadian Film Festival. The film also had a special screening at London Disability Arts Forum
His involvement in film production include producing and financing 40+ films across various Indian Languages. During the course of distribution he was notable as an Exhibitor with 28 Theatres on lease across Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry & Tirupathi including ""Sathyam Cinemas" Chennai from 1984–1993.
He has played a pivotal role for some of the landmarks in Tamil Cinema, Such films during this period include India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil & Telugu, "Pesum Padam" the movie without dialogues 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[5] technology for the first time and "Jai Vedalam" the first folklore to be released in 3D across 4 languages. His film "Dancer" released in 2005 was most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty a highly talented and differently abled artist.
He was elected as President of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) in 2013 and has worked on issues regarding title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers and helping seeing through the release of delayed projects.[6] Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity. All artistes especially Heroines to participate in all promotional activities for their Films.
KR has also written a book "இதுதான் சினிமா" aka ITHUDHAAN CINEMA in Tamil literary meaning "This is Cinema". The book was published in 2003 which is still available in all leading book stores. The book details the nuances of Cinema and predicting its future as it is today. He has been an authority for Cinema since the early 80's giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.
KR had a stint with Raadaan Mediaworks as Vice President and is currently one of the Director at Global United Media
Filmography
As director / Producer
| Year | Film | Functioned as | Language | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Producer | ||||
| 1980 | Shishirathil Oru Vasantham | Yes | Yes | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | Eeramana Rojave | Yes | Yes | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Vanaja Girija | Yes | Tamil | ||
| 1995 | Mayabazar | Yes | Tamil | ||
| 1996 | Irattai Roja | Yes | Tamil | Remake of Telugu film Shubha Lagnam | |
| Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Yes | Tamil | Remake of Malayalam film Aadyathe Kanmani | ||
| Alexander | Yes | Tamil | |||
| 1997 | Thaali Pudhusu | Yes | Tamil | Remake of Telugu film Thaali | |
| 1998 | Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara | Yes | Tamil | ||
| Dharma | Yes | Tamil | Remake of Hindi film Ziddi | ||
| Kumbakonam Gopalu | Yes | Tamil | |||
| 1999 | Suyamvaram | Yes | Tamil | ||
| 2000 | Kadhal Rojave | Yes | Tamil | Remake of Hindi film Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin | |
| 2005 | Dancer | Yes | Yes | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain & Best Producer |
As Distributor
| Year | Film | Functioned as | Language | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producer | Distributor | ||||
| 1981 | Thillu Mullu | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth | |
| 1981 | Ram Lakshman | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan | |
| 1981 | Enga Ooru Kannagi | Yes | Tamil | Starring Saritha | |
| 1982 | Nenjil Oru Raagam | Yes | Tamil | Starring Saritha Thiagarajan | |
| 1982 | Ranga | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth | |
| 1982 | Rani Theni | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan as a Guest Role | |
| 1982 | Payanangal Mudivathillai | Yes | Tamil | Starring Mohan | |
| 1982 | Deviyin Thiruvilayadal | Yes | Tamil | Starring Thiagarajan & K.R.Vijaya | |
| 1982 | Poi Satchi | Yes | Tamil | Starring Bhagyaraj | |
| 1982 | Naan Kudithu Konde Irrupen | Yes | Tamil | Starring K.R.Vijaya & Thengai Srinivasan | |
| 1983 | Thalaiyanai manthiram | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sulakshna & Pandiyan | |
| 1983 | Sashti Viratham | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sivakumar | |
| 1983 | Thai Veedu | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth | |
| 1984 | Vaidehi Kathirunthal | Yes | Tamil | Starring Vijaykanth & Revathy | |
| 1984 | Vazhkai | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sivaji Ganesan & Ambika | |
| 1984 | My Dear Kuttichathan 3D | Yes | Tamil | India's first 3D film | |
| 1984 | Nalla Naal | Yes | Tamil | Starring Vijaykanth & Thiagarajan | |
| 1984 | Thambikku Entha Ooru | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth & Madhavi | |
| 1984 | Anbulla Rajinikanth | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth | |
| 1984 | Kuva Kuva Vaathugal | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sivakumar | |
| 1985 | Paadum Vaanampadi | Yes | Tamil | ||
| 1985 | Mard | Yes | Hindi | Distribution rights South India & Remake rights Tamil | |
| 1985 | Paadum Paravaigal | Yes | Tamil | Dubbed version of Anveshana | |
| 1985 | Japanil Kalyanaraman | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan | |
| 1985 | Aduthathu Albert | Yes | Tamil | Starring Prabhu | |
| 1985 | Poove Poochooda Vaa | Yes | Tamil | Starring S.Ve.Shekhar, Padmini & Nadiya | |
| 1985 | Avan | Yes | Tamil | Starring Arjun | |
| 1985 | Anthasthu | Yes | Tamil | Starring Murali | |
| 1985 | Padikkaatha Pannaiyar | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sivaji Ganesan | |
| 1985 | Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri | Yes | Tamil | Starring Vijaykanth | |
| 1985 | Sindhu Bhairavi | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sivakumar & Suhasini | |
| 1985 | Jai Vedalam 3D | Yes | Yes | Tamil | Dubbed version of Jai Vedalam |
| 1985 | Kunguma Chimil | Yes | Tamil | Starring Mohan | |
| 1985 | Poo Ondru Puyalaanadhu | Yes | Tamil | Dubbed version of Pratighatana | |
| 1986 | Vikram | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan | |
| 1986 | Punnagai Mannan | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan | |
| 1986 | Mythili Ennai Kaathali | Yes | Tamil | Starring T.Rajendar | |
| 1986 | Maaveeran | Yes | Tamil | First Tamil film in 70mm | |
| 1987 | Chinna Poove Mella Pesu | Yes | Tamil | Starring Prabhu & Ramki | |
| 1987 | Velaikaran | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth | |
| 1987 | Manathil Uruthi Vendum | Yes | Tamil | Starring Suhasini | |
| 1987 | Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi | Yes | Tamil | Starring Visu | |
| 1987 | Enga Ooru Pattukaran | Yes | Tamil | Starring Ramarajan | |
| 1987 | Pesum Padam | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan | |
| 1988 | En Jeevan Paduthu | Yes | Tamil | Starring Karthik & Saranya | |
| 1988 | Illam | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sivakumar & Amala | |
| 1988 | Manamagale Vaa | Yes | Tamil | Starring Prabhu & Radhika | |
| 1988 | Paravaigal Palavitham | Yes | Yes | Tamil | Starring Ramki & Nirosha |
| 1989 | Solaikuyil | Yes | Tamil | Starring Karthik & Ragini | |
| 1989 | Maapillai | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth | |
| 1992 | Raasukutti | Yes | Tamil | Starring Bhagyaraj | |
| 1990 | Michael Madana Kama Rajan | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan | |
| 1990 | Pengal Veetin Kangal | Yes | Tamil | Starring Visu | |
| 1991 | Gunaa | Yes | Tamil | Starring Kamalhassan | |
| 1991 | Thanthu Vitten Ennai | Yes | Tamil | Starring Vikram | |
| 1992 | Aavarampoo | Yes | Yes | Tamil | Starring Vineeth |
| 1992 | Chinna Marumagal | Yes | Yes | Tamil | Starring Sivaji Ganesan |
| 1994 | Veera | Yes | Tamil | Starring Rajinikanth | |
| 2007 | Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram | Yes | Tamil | ||
| 2015 | I | Yes | Tamil | via Global United Media | |
| 2015 | Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka | Yes | Tamil | via Global United Media | |
| 2015 | Baahubali | Yes | Tamil/Malayalam/Telugu | via Global United Media | |
| 2015 | Thoongavanam | Yes | Tamil | via Global United Media | |
As actor
- Pondatti Thevai (1990)[7]
Member and Honorary Positions
| Post | Organisation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| President | Tamil Film Producers' Council | From 2013 – 2014 |
| President | South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce | From 2000 – 2001 |
| Jury Member | National Film Awards | 2001 |
| Vice President | South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce | From 1985 – 2000 Several Occasions |
| Member | South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce | From 1985, representing Dispute Committee, Title Registration, Publicity Clearance, Property Development Committee, Management Committee of Cinema Centenary Club |
| Chair Person | National Award Selection Committee | For "Wholesome Entertainment" |
| Chair Person | National Award Selection Committee | For "Oscar Award" in the category of "Best Foreign Film Award" |
| general secretary | South Indian Film & TV Directors Association | |
| Founder President | Tamil Film Chamber of Commerce | From 1987 – 1991 |
| Founder, Permanent Trustee | Tamil Film Producers' Welfare Trust | Founded in 1994 |
| Former President | Madras City, Chengai District Film Distributors Welfare Association | From 1985 – 1988 |
He was one of the eminent member in the 8 member Key Advisory committee which included several personalities from across the country to advice the Honorable Union Minister in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India under Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters in respect of the Indian film industry in 2001.
He also served in the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in the year 1989 to study and submit a White Paper on the affairs of Tamil Film Industry.
References
- 1 2 "டைரக்டர், தயாரிப்பாளர், தியேட்டர் அதிபர், விநியோகஸ்தர் 4 துறைகளில் சாதனை படைத்த 'கேயார்'எதிர் நீச்சல் போட்டு வெற்றி பெற்றார்". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ↑ "Want to restore the honour and respect of TFPC: Kothandaramiah – Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ↑ "Clean sweep for KR group in TFPC elections!". Sify.com. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ↑ "சோதனைகளை வென்று 'மை டியர் குட்டிச்சாத்தான்' மகத்தான வெற்றி!". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ↑ "Spy Kids with a difference". thehindu.com. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
- ↑ Tamilcinema24.com (1 January 1970). "Result of Tamil Nadu Producer council election – Result of Tamil Nadu Producer Council Election – Kr- Keyar- Thanu- Viay Team- Suriya Team". Tamilcinema24.com. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiifQ1hLpms
External links
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