K. Bhagyaraj

K. Bhagyaraj ^[2](Tamil: கே. பாக்யராஜ்; born 7 January 1953) is a Tamil film director, actor, writer and producer. He has directed and produced several Tamil films, along with a few Telugu and Hindi films.^[3] He is well known for his mastery in screenplay. He has won a Filmfare Best Actor Award for Mundhanai Mudichu, a film he wrote, directed and starred in.

Film career

Beginning his career as an assistant to directors G. Ramakrishnan and Bharathiraja, Bhagyaraj became recognised for his scriptwriting talent. Among his early work was the script for Bharathiraja's films, Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) and Tik Tik Tik (1981). He made his directorial debut with the film Suvarillatha Chiththirangal in 1979. He quickly established his own concern and started producing a string of distinctive films made mainly in the Tamil language. Bhagyaraj often stars in lead roles of the films he scripts and directs, effectively carving out a niche for himself in the actor-auteur vein. His style of filmmaking is notable for its relatively elaborate, witty, and double-entendre-laced script and socially-themed framework. His on-screen personae are typically characterised by their ironic sense of humour and intelligent bravado.

He has also made forays into the Hindi film industry (Bollywood), directing the likes of Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor. He also wrote books like, Vaanga Cinemavai Pattri Pesalam, Neenga Nenaicha Saadikkalaam, Ungal Bhagyarajin Kezhvi Bhadhil (5 Parts).

Personal life

Bhagyaraj was born in a Telugu speaking family. Bhagyaraj hails from Gobichettipalayam. His father was Krishnaswamy and his mother was Amaravathiamma. Initially he was married to actress Praveena (His co-star in the film Bhama Rukmani). She died in August 1983 due to illness (an aggravated case of jaundice). Later he married Poornima Jayaram. She was his co-star in the film Darling Darling Darling (1983).^[4] The couple have a daughter Saranya Bhagyaraj who debuted in the film Parijatham and a son Shanthnu Bhagyaraj who made his debut in the film Sakkarakatti which released in 2008.His Assistant Director's were Parthiban And Pandiarajan,both of then went on to become Director and actors.

Filmography

References

External links

• K. Bhagyaraj at the Internet Movie Database
• Baby umathi
• The Indian Cinema Database of the University of Pennsylvania's South Asia Center
• A Bhagyaraj interview (from The Hindu. Bouncing back to form. 19 March 2003).