Rajamani Velraj is an Indian

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

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, genres and techniques to communicate ideas, to inspire feelings and emotions, or to entertain. Writers may develop different forms of writing such as novels, short sto ...

who primarily works in

Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...

and

Hindi cinema Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". The in ...

. He is known for his long-standing collaborations with

Vetrimaaran V. Chitravel Vetrimaaran (born 4 September 1975) is an Indian film director, film producer and screenwriter who primarily works in Tamil cinema. He is known for his unique filmography with major commercial success and highly critically acclaime ...

and M. Muthaiah.

Personal life

Rajamani Velraj was born in the village Kootthiyar Kundu near

Madurai Madurai ( , , ), formerly known as Madura, is a major city in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District, which is ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

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

Career

Early in his career, he worked as an assistant to cinematographer

Tirru S. Thirunavukarasu (born 21 July 1966), better known mononymously as Tirru, is an Indian cinematographer and screenwriter who has worked in multiple languages across India. Born in Mullukuruchi village, Tirru became interested in photography ...

in several Tamil films. After working with actor

Dhanush Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja (born 28 July 1983), known professionally as Dhanush, is an Indian actor, filmmaker, lyricist and playback singer who primarily works in Tamil cinema. Having starred in Dhanush filmography, 50 films over his car ...

in '' Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram'', Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film, '' Polladhavan'', directed by then debutant,

. He won the Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer in 2008. Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, from '' Aadukalam'' to their most recent film, '' Viduthalai Part 1'' (2023). He made his directional debut with ''

Velaiilla Pattadhari ''Velaiilla Pattadhari'' (), popularly referred to as ''VIP'', is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama written and directed by Velraj, in his directorial debut, and produced by Dhanush, who also enacts in the lead role alongside Amala P ...

'', starring

and Amala Paul and with Anirudh as the music director. The film was extremely successful and became a cult film. 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

*'' Poriyaalan'' (2014) *'' Kaalidas'' (2019) *'' Asuran'' (2019) *'' Udanpirappe'' (2021) *'' Kuttram Kuttrame'' (2022) *'' Viduthalai Part 1''(2023)

Awards

* Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer for '' Pollathavan'' (2007) * Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for '' Aadukalam'' (2011) * SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer for '' Aadukalam'' (2011) * SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director for ''

Velaiyilla Pattathari ''Velaiilla Pattadhari'' (), popularly referred to as ''VIP'', is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama written and directed by Velraj, in his directorial debut, and produced by Dhanush, who also enacts in the lead role alongside Amala P ...

'' (2014) * SIIMA Award for Best cinematographer for '' Asuran'' (2019) * Vikatan Cinema Awards for Best cinematographer for Viduthalai Part 1 (2023)

References

External links

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