G.Dhananjayan

G. Dhananjayan (GD) is an Indian film producer, distributor, columnist, author of four books on Indian films, and founder-director BOFTA Film Institute. He has produced films in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi languages, including '' Sankat City'' (2009), ''Kanden Kadhalai'' (2009), ''Mugamoodi'' (2012), '' Anjaan'' (2014) and ''Irudhi Suttru'' (2016), ''Kaatrin Mozhi'' (2018), '' Kabadadaari'' (2021), ''Kodiyil Oruvan'' (2021) and many other films. He has won two National Film Awards.

Education and work

G. Dhananjayan holds an MBA degree from Sydenham Institute of Management SIMSREE, University of Mumbai (1991 batch), and earned his Ph.D. from Mumbai University for his thesis on the Indian Film Industry in March 2019.

He worked in Asian Paints Ltd, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Saregama, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone for more than 15 years before joining Moser Baer Entertainment in 2006. Dhananjayan was the company's Chief Operating Officer of Home Video Business and then chief executive officer of the Film Business.

GD was one of the two founding members of Moser Baer Entertainment in April 2006. Within 6 months, GD acquired the copyright/marketing rights for over 10,000 film titles in ten languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi to launch DVDs and VCDs under the banner of Moser Baer. This allowed competition with unauthorized copies of DVDs typically sold for very low prices.

GD was associated with UTV Motion Pictures (now called Disney-India) from January 2011 till February 2016 and was instrumental in producing several films in the South.

GD spends considerable time interacting with students of various Film Institutes across India. He also delivered speeches at IIT, NIT, and other management institutes on film business. GD is invited to various forums and programs to speak on the film business, management, and many other topics.

GD was the founding Director of BOFTA Film Institute, a pioneer in Film Education in Tamil Nadu where the students learn from the Masters. The Institute, which commenced its operation in 2015 is rated as one of the best Film Institutes in Tamil Nadu for its quality of education. The Master Classes conducted by GD with several Filmmakers and Actors has set a benchmark and the videos remain popular in YouTube.

GD has also made documentaries on legendary filmmakers. His first documentary on Producer-Director-Writer Panchu Arunachalam titled 'A Creator with Midas Touch' which was selected and screened at Indian Panorama of International Film Festival in Goa (2016) received widespread appreciation. His second documentary on legendary director Krishnan–Panju was selected and screened at Mumbai International Film Festival (2017) and received critical acclaim.

GD joined hands with lyricist and screenplay writer Madhan Karky in 2023 and started a pioneering initiative of SCRIPTick, a ready-to-shoot script bank to help talented screenwriters.

GD is regularly interviewed by many popular YouTube channels wherein he shares his views openly and objectively. His interviews are pretty popular among people interested in the film business.

Movie production

At Moser Baer Entertainment GD ventured into film production with ''Shaurya'' in Hindi and ''Vellitherai'' in Tamil. Moser Baer then produced '' Sankat City'' and "Hide & Seek" in Hindi, '' Raman Thediya Seethai'', '' Poo'', '' Abhiyum Naanum'',''Kanden Kadhalai'', ''Aval Peyar Thamizharasi'', and ''Siddhu +2'' with K. Bhagyaraj in Tamil and '' Kaana Kanmani'' in Malayalam in two years.

At UTV Motion Pictures (now called Disney-India) GD had acquired and also produced films in Tamil and Malayalam. The first film, UTV marketed after his joining was ''Deiva Thirumagal'' which was a critically acclaimed movie. He was involved in producing, marketing, and distributing films. Under his supervision UTV co-produced in Tamil ''Vettai'' and ''Vazhakku Enn 18/9'' with Director N. Lingusamy's Thirrupathi Brothers, ''Kalakalappu '' and ''Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru'' with Sundar C's Avni Cinemax, M.Saravanan—Vikram Prabhu' Ivan Veramathiri and Suriya's '' Anjaan'' with Director N. Lingusamy's Thirrupathi Brothers, and '' Naan Sigappu Manithan'' with Vishal Film Factory. GD had produced under UTV banner '' Muran'', ''Mugamoodi'', ''Thaandavam'',"'' Settai'', ''Sigaram Thodu'', Director S.P.Jhananathan—Arya-Vijay Sethupathi's ''Purampokku'' and Director Vishnuvaradhan—Arya's ''Yatchan'' in Tamil. In Malayalam UTV had produced '' Grandmaster'' and ''Husbands in Goa''. In his last assignment with UTV, GD was involved in the marketing of Director Sudha Kongara and Madhavan's ''Irudhi Suttru'' in 2016.

GD is currently an independent consulting film producer and distributor. In 2018, he produced Tamil films Mr. Chandramouli by Thiru (director), starring Karthik (actor), Gautham Karthik, Regina Cassandra, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Santhosh Prathap and others and Kaatrin Mozhi by Radha Mohan, starring Jyothika, Vidharth, Lakshmi Manchu, Kabadadaari with Sibi Sathyaraj and Kapatadhaari in Telugu with Sumanth.

GD is one of the Partners of the newly created company Infiniti Film Ventures in 2019 and the company has produced ''Kodiyil Oruvan'', ''Kolai'', and '' Raththam'' released till 2023.

GD is known for his full involvement while producing the film with his director and observes the way the movie is molded in shape without setbacks. Director Cheran once mentioned in an interview that producers should be like GD by visiting the shooting spots and being a part of the production process so that they will know what hurdles the film crew is facing while making a movie.

Movie Distribution

GD distributed the film ''Zero'' in 2016 under his production banner Blue Ocean Entertainment. In May 2017, he commenced his distribution company Creative Entertainers and Distributors and distributed the successful film ''Ivan Thanthiran''. In 2018 GD distributed the film U Turn starring Samantha Prabhu in Tamil Nadu, which became a success.

GD's recently distributed film is ''Kolaigaran'' which was released on June 7, 2019, and "'' Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban'', which got released in 2020. Both films were commercial successes.

Writing career

GD is passionate about writing and has contributed several articles to the Times of India, The Hindu Tamil, Dinathanthi Next, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Management, DNA, India Today, and other publications.

GD has written a book about Tamil cinema titled ''The Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2010'', in English, which was released by Legendary Actor Kamal Haasan on 2 March 2011 in the presence of eminent film makers. Super Star Rajinikanth personally appreciated the book by giving a memento for the fantastic research and writing on Tamil cinema. The book has reached out to many universities worldwide and has become a reference point on Tamil cinema for many interested foreigners to know about Tamil cinema.

GD's second book was "Pride of Tamil Cinema", released in 2014. The book was released at Indian Panorama, Goa in 2014 and it went on to win the National Award (Special Mention) for Best Writing on Cinema for the year 2014. The book is highly appreciated by the film industry for the impeccable documentation of the films.

GD's monthly column in 'Galatta Cinema' for two years was widely read by eminent personalities in South Indian Cinema and was appreciated for his professional contribution to South Cinema. His article series in the Tamil newspaper 'The Hindu' was widely read and appreciated for the valuable contribution he is doing by enlightening the readers on the happenings in Tamil cinema and the changes required. His collection of Tamil articles was published by 'The Hindu' under the title ‘Vellithirayin Vetri Manthirangal’ which is today one of the best sellers from their publication.

GD's fourth book titled 'The Art and Business of Cinema(ABC)' was released in December 2017 comprising nearly 100 articles that explains the various art and business facets of cinema. The collection of articles in this book is a must-read for interested filmmakers to understand the challenges in the industry and what to keep in mind to deliver a film successfully.

GD's series of articles in various newspapers won him his second National Award as the Best Critic of the Year 2016.

GD was also the compiling author of two books by legendary actor, painter, orator and philanthropist Sivakumar titled ‘Paintings of Sivakumar’ and ‘Golden Moments of Sivakumar’.

In 2021, served for a brief period as the Head of Tamil content and digital business in SonyLIV. In 2023, Dhananjayan and Madhan Karky started SCIPTICK, a "script bank" to help aspiring screenwriters better research their scripts.

Filmography

As the Producer or Co-Producer at Moser Baer Entertainment

* ''Vellithirai'' (2008)
* '' Raman Thediya Seethai'' (2008)
* '' Poo'' (2008)
* '' Abhiyum Naanum '' (2008)
* '' Sankat City'' (2009) - Hindi
* '' Kana Kanmani'' (2009) – Malayalam
* ''Kanden Kadhalai'' (2009)
* ''Aval Peyar Thamizharasi'' (2010)
* ''Siddhu +2'' (2010)
* ''Hide & Seek'' (2010) – Hindi
* '' Mayilu'' (2012)

As Associate Producer at Disney-UTV Motion Pictures

* ''Deivathirumagal'' (2011)
* '' Muran'' (2011)
* ''Vettai'' (2012)
* ''Kalakalappu'' (2012)
* ''Vazhakku Enn 18/9'' (2012)
* '' Grandmaster'' (2012) – Malayalam
* ''Husbands in Goa'' (2012) – Malayalam
* ''Mugamoodi'' (2012)
* ''Thaandavam'' (2012)
* '' Settai'' (2013)
* ''Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru'' (2013)
* ''Ivan Veramathiri'' (2013)
* '' Naan Sigappu Manithan'' (2014)
* '' Anjaan'' (2014)
* ''Sigaram Thodu'' (2014)
* ''Purampokku'' (2014)
* ''Yatchan'' (2015)
* ''Irudhi Suttru'' (2016)

As Producer – Creative Entertainers
*''Mr. Chandramouli'' (2018)
*''Kaatrin Mozhi'' (2018)
*'' Kabadadaari'' (2021)
*'' Kapatadhaari'' (2021)

As Partner Producer – Infiniti Film Ventures
*''Kodiyil Oruvan'' (2021)
*''Kolai (film)'' (2023)
* '' Raththam'' (2023)

As Co-Producer
*''Vanamagan'' (2017)

As Theatrical Distributor
*''Zero'' (2016)
*''Ivan Thanthiran'' (2017)
*'' U Turn'' (2018)
*''Kolaigaran'' (2019)
*'' Asuran'' (2019)
*'' Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban'' (2020)

As Digital Distributor
*''Irudhi Pakkam'' (2021)
*'' Kayamai Kadakka'' (2021)
*''Parole'' (2022)
*'' Erumbu'' (2023)

As the Co-Producer at Studio Green
*''Teddy'' (2021)
*''Kaatteri'' (2022)
*'' Theal'' (2022)
*'' Pathu Thala'' (2023)
*''80s Buildup'' (2023)
*''Rebel'' (2024)
*'' Vaa Vaathiyaare'' (2024)
*''Thangalaan'' (2024)
*''Kanguva'' (2024)

Documentary films

* ''A Creator with Midas Touch'' (documentary on Panchu Arunachalam)
* ''The Pioneering Duo'' (documentary on Krishnan–Panju)

As Actor
*'' Mandhira Punnagai'' (2010)
*''Vandhaan Vendraan'' (2011)
*''Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam'' (2014)
*'' Idhu Namma Aalu'' (2016)
*''Utharavu Maharaja'' (2018)
*''Boomerang'' (2019)
*'' Kabadadaari'' (2021)

Books

*Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2010 (2 Volumes)
* Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013
*Vellithirayin Vetri Manthirangal (in Tamil)
*The Art and Business of Cinema (ABC)

Awards

* 2015: National Film Award for Best Book on Cinema ( Special Mention) – ''Pride of Tamil Cinema (1931–2013)''
*2017: National Film Award for Best Film Critic

References

External links

Rediff.com – Interview

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Living people
Film producers from Chennai
1965 births
Tamil film producers
Indian film historians
Indian chief operating officers
Best Critic National Film Award winners
Telugu film producers