R. Parthiepan

Radhakrishnan Parthiban
Native name	இராதாகிருஷ்ணன் பார்த்திபன்
Born	Radhakrishnan Moorthi Chennai, India
Occupation	Actor, director, producer, writer
Years active	1989–present
Spouse(s)	Seetha (1990-2001) (divorced)
Children	Abinaya Keerthana Raaki

Radhakrishnan Parthiban (earlier credited in films as Ra Parthiepan) is a Tamil film actor, director, film producer and writer. He has worked in more 50 films and has directed nearly 10 films. Parthiepan is known for having directed critically acclaimed films like Pudhiya Paadhai^[1] and Housefull and for his performances in films like Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Azhagi, Melvilasom and Aayirathil Oruvan.

His movies Housefull (1999) and Pudhea Paadhai (1989) won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

Early life

He came from a middle-class family and was born and brought up in Chennai. His father was a clerk in the post and Telegraph department, but his family could never make both ends meet. He started as a stage artiste who used to perform on stages in Chengalpattu and Villupuram. It was getting him nowhere and so he came back to Chennai. There, he made the usual round of going to the producers offices and was finally able to become the assistant of K. Bhagyaraj. At that time, he used to make around Rs 6000 a month by dubbing for various artistes. He made his first film appearance in Raanuva Veeran. Then, he played the role of a postman in his mentor's Dhavani Kanavugal.

Career

In 1989, he made his directorial debut through Pudhiya Paadhai starring himself as an inhuman ruffian who gets reformed by his rape victim.^[2][3] The film was released to critical acclaim and emerged a box-office success, while also winning several accolades including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film and Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer. In early 1990, he directed and acted in Pondatti Thevai which failed at the box-office. In the end of 1990, he appeared in lead roles in R. Sundarrajan's Thalattu Padava and in the devotional film Engal Swamy Ayyappan. In 1991, he starred in S. P. Muthuraman's Thaiyalkaaran. In 1992, he starred in Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren co-starring with Suman Ranganathan and Mohini. He then directed and acted in Sugamana Sumaigal, a clean family drama, which failed at the box-office. In 1993, to recoup the financial losses, he directed and acted the commercial film Ulle Veliye. Ayyappa Prasad of The New Indian Express labelled the film as "flesh and bore". Despite negative reviews, the film has been declared a super hit at the box-office. He then directed and acted in 1994 in Sarigamapadani co-starring with Roja and Sangita and the next year in Pullaikuttikkaaran co-starring with Sangita and Urvashi. In 1996, he acted in the comedy film Tata Birla. His 1999 Tamil film Housefull won the same award.^[4] His notable films include Aravindan, Ullae Velliyae, Pullakuttikaran, Sugamana Sumaigal, Abhimanyu, Swarnamukhi, Azhagi, Kathal Kirukkan, etc. He performed a perfect comedy pair with actor Vadivelu in rib – tickling movies Barathi Kannama, Vetri Kodi Kattu, and more.

He won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Bharathi Kannamma. He played a man from a lower caste who a zamindari falls in love with.^[5] Parthipan, the actor, director and producer, loves breaking the conventional rules set by commercial cinema. He has taken roles that other heroes would carefully avoid, directed films that his critics found to be arty. The actor has remained uncompromising and stuck to his principles in spite of some not-so-memorable roles in the past. After the critically acclaimed and award winning films like Housefull and Azhagi, audience and the trade have acknowledged the maker's undisputed talents.^[6][7]

In 2001, he launched an ambitious directorial project titled Yelelo with A. R. Rahman composing four songs for the film. Despite having a high profile launch and completion of a few filming schedules, the venture was shelved.^[8]

The film Aayirathil Oruvan in which he portrayed a Chola King won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil.^[9] His previously released movie, Kathai Thiraikkadhai Vasanam Iyakkam becomes Parthiepan's first directorial film in which he does not feature. The film, which has a tagline reading "a film without a story?", began production in late 2013 and released on 15 August 2014 and received positive reviews from all the sides and was a huge blockbuster hit in the box office. He mass portrayed as Cop. He play villain in Naanum Rowdythaan.

Apart from direction and acting, he produces films. He wrote a book named "Kirukkkalgal" – Thamizh Kavithai Thoguppu which was released by M. Karunanidhi. He runs a charitable trust named 'R.Parthiepan Manithaneya Mandram'.

Filmography

S.No;	Year	Film	Credited as				Notes
			Director	Producer	Actor	Role
1	1981	Ranuva Veeran				Uncredited role
2	1983	Dhooram Adhighamillai				Uncredited role
3	1985	Anbulla Rajinikanth				Uncredited role
4	1986	Dhavani Kanavugal				Uncredited role
5	1989	Pudhiya Paadhai				Sitaraman	Winner, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer
6	1990	Pondatti Thevai				Kannan
7		Thalattu Padava				Raja
8		Engal Swamy Ayyappan				Vasuswamy
9	1991	Thaiyalkaran
10	1992	Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren				Ravi
11		Sugamana Sumaigal				Murthy
12	1993	Ulle Veliye				Gajendran
13	1994	Sarigamapadani
14	1995	Pullakuttikaran
15	1996	Tata Birla				Raja
16	1997	Bharathi Kannamma				Bharathi	Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor
17		Vaimaye Vellum				Raja
18		Aravindhan				Thamizhvannan
19		Abhimanyu				Abhimanyu
20	1998	Swarnamukhi				Pandian
21		Pudhumai Pithan				Jeeva / Bharath
22	1999	Housefull				Ayya	Winner, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Special Award for Best Film
23		Suyamvaram				Azhagappan
24		Anthapuram				Dubai Pandiyan
25		Nee Varuvai Ena				Ganesh
26		Unnaruge Naan Irundhal
27	2000	Kakkai Siraginilae				Vellaichamy
28		James Pandu				Paandu
29		Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven				Shekhar	Guest appearance
30		Vetri Kodi Kattu				Muthuraman
31		Sabhash				Cheenu
32	2001	Ninaikkatha Naalillai				Anbu
33		Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka				Devasahayam	Malayalam film
34	2002	Azhagi				Shanmugam
35		Ivan				Jeevan
36	2003	Soori				Saravanan
37		Kadhal Kirukkan				Manikandan
38	2004	Thendral				Nalangkilli
39		Kudaikul Mazhai				Venkatakrishnan
40	2005	Kannadi Pookal				Sakthivel
41		Kundakka Mandakka				Ilango
42	2006	Pachchak Kuthira				Pachchamuthu
43	2007	Ammuvagiya Naan				Gowrishankar
44	2008	Vallamai Tharayo				Anand
45	2010	Aayirathil Oruvan				Chola King	Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil
46		Azhagana Ponnuthan				Karthik
47	2011	Melvilasom				Ramachandran	Malayalam film
48		Vithagan				Rowdhran
49	2012	Ambuli				Sengodan
50		Rachcha				Suryanarayana	Telugu film
51	2013	Escape from Uganda				Antony	Malayalam film
52		Jannal Oram				Karuppu
53	2014	Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam				Himself	Cameo appearance
54	2015	Masss				Vikram
55		Naanum Rowdydhaan				Killivalavan
56	2016	Dada Is Back					Filming (Kannada film)
57		Love Guru					Filming

References

1. http://archives.chennaionline.com/interviews/parthiban.asp
2. "Welcome to". Sify.com. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
3. Subha j rao (23 July 2011). "Arts / Cinema : Vithagan is back". Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
4. "Reapers of a happy harvest". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 1 August 2003.
5. Jeshi, K. (24 March 2013). "On a journey". The Hindu (Chennai, India).
6. "Welcome To". Sify.com. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
7. http://www.jointscene.com/artists/Kollywood/Parthepan/164
8. http://moviemagik.tripod.com/Bollywood/south/yelelo.htm
9. http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jul-11-01/filfare-arya-04-07-11.html

External links

• Official website
• Parthepan at the Internet Movie Database