R. Parthiepan

Radhakrishnan Parthiban (earlier credited in films as Ra Parthiepan) (Tamil: இராதாகிருஷ்ணன் பார்த்திபன்) 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.

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. After completing his 10th from the Hindu Higher Secondary School in Triplicane. He started as a stage artiste who used to perform on stages in Chengalpattu and Vizhupuram. 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.

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

Year	Film	Credited as				Notes
		Director	Producer	Actor	Role
1981	Ranuva Veeran			Y	Uncredited role
1983	Dhooram Adhighamillai			Y	Uncredited role
1985	Anbulla Rajinikanth			Y	Uncredited role
1986	Dhavani Kanavugal			Y	Uncredited role
1989	Pudhiya Paadhai	Y		Y	Sitaraman	Winner, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer
1990	Pondatti Thevai	Y		Y	Kannan
	Thalattu Padava			Y	Raja
	Engal Swamy Ayyappan			Y	Vasuswamy
1991	Thaiyalkaran			Y
1992	Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren			Y	Ravi
	Sugamana Sumaigal	Y	Y	Y	Murthy
1993	Ulle Veliye	Y	Y	Y	Gajendran
1994	Sarigamapadani	Y	Y	Y
1995	Pullaikuttikkaaran	Y	Y	Y
1996	Tata Birla			Y	Raja
1997	Bharathi Kannamma			Y	Bharathi	Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor
	Vaimaye Vellum			Y	Raja
	Aravindhan			Y	Thamizhvannan
	Abhimanyu			Y	Abhimanyu
1998	Swarnamukhi			Y	Pandian
	Pudhumai Pithan			Y	Jeeva / Bharath
1999	Housefull	Y	Y	Y	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
	Suyamvaram			Y	Azhagappan
	Anthapuram			Y	Dubai Pandiyan
	Nee Varuvai Ena			Y	Ganesh
	Unnaruge Naan Irundhal			Y
2000	Kakkai Siraginilae			Y	Vellaichamy
	James Pandu			Y	Paandu
	Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven			Y	Shekhar	Guest appearance
	Vetri Kodi Kattu			Y	Muthuraman
	Sabhash			Y	Cheenu
2001	Ninaikkatha Naalillai			Y	Anbu
	Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka			Y	Devasahayam	Malayalam film
2002	Azhagi			Y	Shanmugam
	Ivan	Y	Y	Y	Jeevan
2003	Kadhal Kirukkan			Y	Saravanan
	Soori			Y	Manikandan
2004	Thendral			Y	Nalangkilli
	Kudaikul Mazhai	Y	Y	Y	Venkatakrishnan
2005	Kannadi Pookal			Y	Sakthivel
	Kundakka Mandakka			Y	Ilango
2006	Pachchak Kuthira	Y	Y	Y	Pachchamuthu
2007	Ammuvagiya Naan			Y	Gowrishankar
2008	Vallamai Tharayo			Y	Anand
2010	Aayirathil Oruvan			Y	Chola King	Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil
	Azhagana Ponnuthan			Y	Karthik
2011	Melvilasom			Y	Ramachandran	Malayalam film
	Vithagan	Y		Y	Rowdhran
2012	Ambuli			Y	Sengodan
	Rachcha			Y	Suryanarayana	Telugu film
2013	Escape from Uganda			Y	Antony	Malayalam film
	Jannal Oram			Y	Karuppu
2014	Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam	Y	Y	Y	Himself	Cameo appearance
	Veerakkal Daivangal			Y		Malayalam film Filming
	Bad Boys			Y	Anantharaman	Malayalam film Filming
2015	Kadhai Irukku	Y	Y	Y		Filming
	Dada Is Back			Y		Kannada film Filming
	Masss			Y		Filming
	Naanum Rowdydhaan			Y		Filming
	Soodhadi			Y		Filming

References

External links

• Official website
• Parthepan at the Internet Movie Database