Rajamani Velraj, ISC is an Indian

cinematographer The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the photographing or recording of a film, television production, music video or other live action piece. The cinematographer is the c ...

director Director may refer to: Literature * ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine * ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker * ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty Music * Director (band), an Irish rock band * ''D ...

and

writer A writer is a person who uses written words in different writing styles and techniques to communicate ideas. Writers produce different forms of literary art and creative writing such as novels, short stories, books, poetry, travelogues, pla ...

who primarily works in

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nati ...

and

Hindi cinema Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...

. He is well known for his camera work in films like Asuran,

Aadukalam ''Aadukalam'' (; ) is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Vetrimaran, who also co-wrote the screenplay and dialogues with Vikram Sugumaran from his story. Produced by Five Star Kathiresan and distributed by Sun Pictures, the ...

Vada Chennai ''Vada Chennai'' () is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action crime drama film written and directed by Vetrimaaran in his fourth film as a director. It is the first instalment in a planned trilogy. Produced by A. Subaskaran's Lyca Productions ...

Kadaikutty Singam ''Kadaikutty Singam'' () is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Pandiraj and produced by Suriya on his studio 2D Entertainment. The film features an ensemble cast of Karthi, Sayyeshaa, Sathyaraj, Soori, ...

and

Komban ''Komban'' is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by M. Muthaiah and produced by Studio Green. The film stars Karthi and Lakshmi Menon, while Rajkiran, Super Subbarayan, Thambi Ramaiah, Karunas, and Kovai Sarala play sup ...

, and for directing

Velaiilla Pattadhari ''Velaiilla Pattadhari'' (), popularly referred to as ''VIP'', is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by Velraj, in his directorial debut. The film stars Dhanush and Amala Paul, while Vivek, Saranya Ponvannan ...

and Thanga Magan.

Personal life

Rajamani Velraj was born in a village called Kootthiyar Kundu near

Madurai Madurai ( , also , ) is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. As of the 2011 census, it was the third largest Urban agglomeration in ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil languag ...

. He went to PKN Boys Higher Secondary School ( Tirumangalam), and studied at Madurai Sourastra College.

Career

Early in his career, he was associated with cinematographer

Tirru S. Thirunavukarasu (born 21 July 1966), better known mononymously as Tirru, is an Indian cinematographer who has worked in multiple languages across India. He won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for '' 24'' (2016). Personal l ...

and worked as an assistant cinematographer in several Tamil films, for example

Aalavandhan ''Aalavandhan'' () is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Suresh Krissna and produced by S. Thanu. An adaptation of the novel ''Dhayam'' that was written by Kamal Haasan in 1984, The film stars Haasan in dual roles, ...

. After working with actor

Dhanush Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja (born 28 July 1983), known professionally as Dhanush, is an Indian actor, producer, director, lyricist and playback singer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Starring in 46 films over his career, among hi ...

Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram ''Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram'' () is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language crime action film directed by Suresh Krissna. It stars Dhanush, Meera Jasmine and Archana. The film is a remake of 2005 Kannada blockbuster film ''Jogi''. The film revolve ...

, Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film Polladhavan directed by

Vetrimaaran Vetrimaaran is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer, who works in the Tamil film industry. As of 2021, he has won five National Film Awards, eight Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards, two Filmfare South Awards and the Amnesty Int ...

, for which he won the

Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer The Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films. The list Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won. Nominations *2006 P. C. ...

. Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, making films such as

and Asuran, their most recent film. His first directional debut was

, starring

and

Amala Paul Amala Paul (born 26 October 1991) is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. She made her acting debut by appearing in a supporting role in the Malayalam-language film '' Neelathamara'', and she later became n ...

and with

Anirudh Aniruddha ( sa, अनिरुद्ध ') is a character in Hindu mythology, the son of Pradyumna and Rukmavati, and the grandson of Krishna and Rukmini. He is said to have been very much like his grandfather, to the extent that he is ...

as music director. The film was successful and Velraj won several awards for best debut director. In 2015, he directed his second film, Thanga Magan. Velraj is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers.

Filmography

As cinematographer

As director

As actor

*'' Poriyalan'' (2014) *''

Kaalidas ''Kaalidas'' is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Sri Senthil. The film stars Bharath and Ann Sheetal, while Suresh Menon and Aadhav Kannadasan portray other pivotal roles. The film began production ...

'' (2019) *'' Asuran'' (2019) *''

Udanpirappe ''Udanpirappe'' () is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Era. Saravanan. Produced by Suriya and Jyothika via 2D Entertainment, it stars Jyothika, M. Sasikumar and Samuthirakani, in lead roles. The film features musi ...

'' (2021) *''

Kuttram Kuttrame ''Kuttram Kuttrame'' () is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by Suseenthiran and produced by D Company and presented by Axess Film Factory. The film stars Jai in the lead role with a supporting cast including ...

'' (2022)

Awards

* 2007-

for '' Pollathavan'' * 2011- Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for ''

''. * 2011- SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer for ''

'' * 2014- SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director for ''

Velaiyilla Pattathari ''Velaiilla Pattadhari'' (), popularly referred to as ''VIP'', is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by Velraj, in his directorial debut. The film stars Dhanush and Amala Paul, while Vivek, Saranya Ponvan ...

'' * 2019- SIIMA Award for Best cinematographer for '' Asuran''

References

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-08/news-interviews/32588512_1_aadukalam-video-pranayam

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Velraj, R. Cinematographers from Tamil Nadu Living people People from Madurai district 1969 births Tamil film cinematographers Filmfare Awards South winners