Keyaar
Born
Kothanda Ramaiah

(1953-01-01) 1 January 1953[1]
Other namesK. R.
Occupation(s)Film director, producer, distributor, exhibitor, media personality
Years active1975–present
SpouseIndira

Kothanda Ramaiah (also known as K. R. and Keyaar) is an Indian film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He has held various leading positions in different film industry organizations.[2][3] [4]

Career

KR studied film processing at the Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972.[1] Upon graduation in 1975, he spent three years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as a director and producer with the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to its release, the film faced a number of distribution problems and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it provided him the incentive to move into film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu covering territories including: Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi. He distributed successful films such as: Thillu Mullu, Thai Veedu, Vaidehi Kathirunthal, Sindhu Bhairavi, Punnagai Mannan, Chinna Poove Mella Pesu, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Poovizhi Vasalile, Guru Sishyan, Mappillai, Rajadhi Raja, and My Dear Kuttichathan 3D in Tamil.[5]

Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films. His directorial debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave featured new actors and was a huge commercial success. His most notable collaborations are with actors Vijayakanth, Ramki, Khushbu, and with Urvashi on several occasions. In total he has directed fourteen feature films. His film Dancer, released in 2005, most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty, a highly talented and differently abled artist, won the National Award, three State Awards, and an award at the prestigious Canadian film festival. The film also had a special screening at the London Disability Arts Forum.

His involvement in film production includes producing and financing over forty films in various Indian Languages. While he was involved in film distribution he was also an exhibitor with twenty-eight theatres leased across: Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi; he also ran the Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai from 1984 to 1993.

He has played a role in some of the landmarks of Tamil cinema including: India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil and Telugu; Pesum Padam a movie without dialogue starring Kamalhassan; Maaveeran starring Rajinikanth; the first 70mm Tamil Film, Engalayum Vazha Vidungal a film which was notable for animals talking on screen; Spy Kids 3D using Anaglyph technology for the first time;[6] and Jai Vedalam the first film to be released in 3D in four languages.

He was elected president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) in 2013 and has worked on issues including title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers, and helping see through the release of delayed projects.[7] Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity and having actors participate in all promotional activities for their films.

KR has also written a book Idhuthaan Cinema (This is Cinema) in Tamil published in 2003. It details the nuances of cinema and predicts its future viewed from today. He has been an authority on cinema since the early 1980s giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.

KR worked at Raadaan Mediaworks as vice president.

Member and honorary positions

Post Organisation Notes
Chairman of the JuryChennai International Film Festival - Tamil Feature Film CategoryDec 2022
PresidentTamil Film Producers' CouncilFrom 2013 – 2014
PresidentSouth Indian Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 2000 – 2001
Jury MemberNational Film Awards2001
Vice PresidentSouth Indian Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 1985 – 2000 Several Occasions
MemberSouth Indian Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 1985, representing Dispute Committee, Title Registration, Publicity Clearance, Property Development Committee, Management Committee of Cinema Centenary Club
Chair PersonNational Award Selection CommitteeFor "Wholesome Entertainment"
Chair PersonNational Award Selection CommitteeFor "Oscar Award" in the category of "Best Foreign Film Award"
General SecretarySouth Indian Film & TV Directors Association
Founder PresidentTamil Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 1987 – 1991
Founder, Permanent TrusteeTamil Film Producers' Welfare TrustFounded in 1994
Former PresidentMadras City, Chengai District Film Distributors Welfare AssociationFrom 1985 – 1988

He was one of the members of an eight-member advisory committee, which included several personalities from across the country, to advise the Honorable Union Minister in the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters pertaining to the Indian film industry in 2001.

He also served on the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1989 to study and submit a white paper on the state of the Tamil Film Industry.

Filmography

As director

YearFilmNotes
1980Shishirathil Oru VasanthamMalayalam film; Also producer
1991Eeramana RojaveAlso producer
1994Vanaja Girija
1995Mayabazar
1996Irattai RojaRemake of Telugu film Shubha Lagnam
Enakkoru Magan PirappanRemake of Malayalam film Aadyathe Kanmani
Alexander
1997Thaali PudhusuRemake of Telugu film Aame
1998Kavalai Padathe SagodharaRemake of Malayalam film Kalyanji Anandji (film)
DharmaRemake of Hindi film Ziddi
Kumbakonam GopaluRemake of Kannada film Gauri Ganesha
1999Suyamvaram
2000Kadhal RojaveRemake of Hindi film Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin
2005DancerAlso producer; Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain & Best Producer

As distributor

YearFilmRoleLead Actors
ProducerDistributor
1981Thillu MulluYesStarring Rajinikanth
1981Ram LakshmanYesStarring Kamalhassan
1981Enga Ooru KannagiYesStarring Saritha
1982Nenjil Oru RaagamYesStarring Saritha Thiagarajan
1982RangaYesStarring Rajinikanth
1982Rani TheniYesStarring Kamalhassan as a Guest Role
1982Payanangal MudivathillaiYesStarring Mohan
1982Deviyin ThiruvilayadalYesStarring Thiagarajan & K.R.Vijaya
1982Poi SatchiYesStarring Bhagyaraj
1982Naan Kudithu Konde IrrupenYesStarring K.R.Vijaya & Thengai Srinivasan
1983Thalaiyanai manthiramYesStarring Sulakshna & Pandiyan
1983Sashti VirathamYesStarring Sivakumar
1983Thai VeeduYesStarring Rajinikanth
1984Vaidehi KathirunthalYesStarring Vijaykanth & Revathy
1984VazhkaiYesStarring Sivaji Ganesan & Ambika
1984My Dear Kuttichathan 3DYesIndia's first 3D film
1984Nalla NaalYesStarring Vijaykanth & Thiagarajan
1984Thambikku Entha OoruYesStarring Rajinikanth & Madhavi
1984Anbulla RajinikanthYesStarring Rajinikanth
1984Kuva Kuva VaathugalYesStarring Sivakumar
1985Paadum VaanampadiYes
1985Mard (Hindi film)YesDistribution rights South India & Remake rights Tamil
1985Paadum ParavaigalYesDubbed version of Anveshana
1985Japanil KalyanaramanYesStarring Kamalhassan
1985Aduthathu AlbertYesStarring Prabhu
1985Poove Poochooda VaaYesStarring S.Ve.Shekhar, Padmini & Nadiya
1985AvanYesStarring Arjun
1985AnthasthuYesStarring Murali
1985Padikkaatha PannaiyarYesStarring Sivaji Ganesan
1985Naane Raja Naane MandhiriYesStarring Vijaykanth
1985Sindhu BhairaviYesStarring Sivakumar & Suhasini
1985Jai Vedalam 3DYesYesDubbed version of Jai Vedalam
1985Kunguma ChimilYesStarring Mohan
1985Poo Ondru PuyalaanadhuYesDubbed version of Pratighatana
1986VikramYesStarring Kamalhassan
1986Punnagai MannanYesStarring Kamalhassan
1986Mythili Ennai KaathaliYesStarring T.Rajendar
1986MaaveeranYesFirst Tamil film in 70mm
1987Chinna Poove Mella PesuYesStarring Prabhu & Ramki
1987VelaikaranYesStarring Rajinikanth
1987Manathil Uruthi VendumYesStarring Suhasini
1987Thirumathi Oru VegumathiYesStarring Visu
1987Enga Ooru PattukaranYesStarring Ramarajan
1987Pesum PadamYesStarring Kamalhassan
1988En Jeevan PaduthuYesStarring Karthik & Saranya
1988IllamYesStarring Sivakumar & Amala
1988Manamagale VaaYesStarring Prabhu & Radhika
1988Paravaigal PalavithamYesYesStarring Ramki & Nirosha
1989SolaikuyilYesStarring Karthik & Ragini
1989MaapillaiYesStarring Rajinikanth
1992RaasukuttiYesStarring Bhagyaraj
1990Michael Madana Kama RajanYesStarring Kamalhassan
1990Pengal Veetin KangalYesStarring Visu
1991GunaaYesStarring Kamalhassan
1991Thanthu Vitten EnnaiYesStarring Vikram
1992AavarampooYesYesStarring Vineeth
1992Chinna MarumagalYesYesStarring Sivaji Ganesan
1994VeeraYesStarring Rajinikanth
2007Parattai Engira Azhagu SundaramYes
2015IYesvia Global United Media
2015Yagavarayinum Naa KaakkaYesvia Global United Media
2015BaahubaliYesvia Global United Media (Tamil/ Malayalam/ Telugu)
2015Lord Livingstone 7000 KandiYesvia Global United Media
2015ThoongavanamYesvia Global United Media
2016The Jungle BookYesvia Global United Media
2016 KammatipaadamYesvia Global United Media
2016 Devi(L)Yesvia Global United Media
2017Baahubali: The ConclusionYesvia Global United Media
2017Sherlock TomsYesvia Global United Media
2017MersalYesvia Global United Media
2018K.G.F: Chapter 1YesKR Infotainment
2019YatraYesKR Infotainment
2022Aayiram PorkasugalYesKR Infotainment

As actor

References

  1. 1 2 "டைரக்டர், தயாரிப்பாளர், தியேட்டர் அதிபர், விநியோகஸ்தர் 4 துறைகளில் சாதனை படைத்த 'கேயார்'எதிர் நீச்சல் போட்டு வெற்றி பெற்றார்". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  2. "Want to restore the honour and respect of TFPC: Kothandaramiah". The Times of India. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  3. "Clean sweep for KR group in TFPC elections!". Sify. 8 September 2013. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  4. "Kollywood Director Kothanda Ramaiah Biography, News, Photos, Videos". Nettv4u. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  5. "சோதனைகளை வென்று 'மை டியர் குட்டிச்சாத்தான்' மகத்தான வெற்றி!". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  6. "Spy Kids with a difference". The Hindu. 16 March 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  7. Tamilcinema24.com (1 January 1970). "Result of Tamil Nadu Producer council election – Result of Tamil Nadu Producer Council Election – Kr- Keyar- Thanu- Viay Team- Suriya Team". Tamilcinema24.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. Pondatti Thevai Movie : Thalapathi Dinesh, And Ashwini, Sentiment Scene. YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
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