Raghava Lawrence
Lawrence promoting Kanchana 2 in 2015
Born
Lawrence Murugaiyan

(1976-10-29) 29 October 1976
Royapuram, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India (present-day Royapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Occupations
  • Choreographer
  • actor
  • film director
  • composer
  • philanthropist
  • film producer
  • playback singer
  • dancer
Years active1989–present
SpouseLatha Lawrence
Children1

Raghava Lawrence (born Lawrence Murugaiyan) is an Indian dance choreographer, director and actor known for his works primarily in Tamil cinema. After making his debut as a dance choreographer in 1993, he began looking for acting opportunities. He began his career as an actor in 1998, in a Telugu film. He adopted the name "Raghava" in 2001, and worked for many prominent actors and directors in Tamil cinema throughout his career. He got his breakthrough with Telugu film Style and then Muni. Lawrence is also known for his intricate hip-hop and westernised dance moves and has won four Filmfare Awards, three Nandi Awards and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award for best choreography.

In 2015, after the death of former Indian president A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Lawrence set up a charity trust in his name and donated ₹1 crore (US$130,000).[1][2]

Early life and background

Lawrence was born into a Tamil speaking Christian Paraiyar family of Murugaiyan and Kanmani. Lawrence had a brain tumor when he was a child.[3][4][5] He attributes the curing of his tumor to the deity, Raghavendra Swamy,[6] and in an act of devotion, he took the name Raghava[4] He built the Raghavendra Swamy Brindavanam Temple at Thirumullaivayal on the Avadi-Ambattur route, which opened on 1 January 2010.[7] Raghava also has a younger brother, Elviin Lawrence.

Career

Initial career (1989–2001)

He was working as a car cleaner for fight master Super Subbarayan.[4] Rajinikanth saw him dancing and helped him to join the Dancers Union.[5][4][8] Lawrence first appeared in a song in Samsara Sangeetham a Tamil film in 1989 directed by T. Rajendran. Then he appeared in Donga Police in 1991, also doing some dances with Prabhu Deva. He was a background dancer in the song Chikku Bukku Chikku Bukku Railey in Gentleman (1993).[4] He also appeared in dance sequences in Muta Mesthri (1993), Rakshana (1993) and Allari Priyudu (1993).[4] Chiranjeevi offered him the job of choreographing the dances for Hitler (1997). Pleased with Lawrence's work, Chiranjeevi asked him to choreograph dances for Master (1997), his next film too.[4] Producer T V D Prasad offered him the role of a hero in his venture Speed Dancer (1999).[4][5] That film was a flop.[3] After that he acted small roles in Tamil like Ajith Kumar's Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven (2000) and Prashanth's Parthen Rasithen (2000).[3] Director K. Balachander invited him to act in his 100th film Parthale Paravasam (2001).[8][5]

Establishing career (2002–2010)

He acted as a first lead role in the Tamil with Arpudham (2002). As described by review sify , the latest in the line is Lawrence, who like his predecessor Prabhu Deva, is determined to be a hero. Arputham has a decent screenplay and Lawrence is tolerable. Thereafter, Style (2002). He also made a guest appearance with Vijay in the Tamil movie Thirumalai (2003). After a guest appearance in the film Thendral (2004), he directed his first film in Telugu, Mass (2004) starring Nagarjuna and Jyothika. The movie was a commercial success.[9][10]

He subsequently directed and acted in Style (2006) co-starring with Prabhu Deva and featuring Nagarjuna and Chiranjeevi in guest roles.He got his breakthrough with Muni (2007), a horror thriller film.[11] Thereafter, he directed another film, Don (2007). The film starring Nagarjuna and Anushka Shetty. Raghava acted in second roles and made the film depending only on style and technical aspects. The movie had an average response.[12] Raghava continues to play in different categories films such as Pandi (2008), Rajadhi Raja (2009) and Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam (2010). Pandi was a moderate success,[13] while Rajadhi Raja and Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam were released to mixed reviews.[14][15]

Later career (2011–present)

He takes the series Muni in Kanchana (2011). Sarath Kumar play in the main role. The movie was commercially successful.[16] In 2012, he directed Telugu movie Rebel starring Prabhas and Tamannaah.[17] He acted in Kanchana 2 (2015). In 2017, he starred in an action Masala film, Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva. Sify described the film as, "Crass, loud and brainless."[18] Then another of genre horror Shivalinga, remake a Kannada language with the same name directed by P. Vasu. Shakthi Vasudevan, son of director, also starred in the important role for two versions. The story is a cop investigating the suspicious death of a Muslim finds out that his own wife has become possessed by the young man's ghost.[19] Raghava Lawrence is back with the fourth movie in the series – Muni 4: Kanchana 3: Kaali (2019), with the new change being three heroines.[20] The film has received a good collections at the box office.[21] In 2020, he made his directorial debut in Hindi cinema with film, Laxmii, a remake of Muni 2: Kanchana.[22]

On November 10, 2023, the movie Jigarthanda DoubleX, featuring actors Raghava Lawrence and SJ Suryah in the lead roles, was released as a sequel to the original film, Jigarthanda.[23]

Social work

He did many social service activities in which he has aided many heart surgeries for small children.[24][25][26] He was one of the supporters of the bull-riding sport jallikattu after its ban in 2017. During a protest in Tamil Nadu in January 2017, he provided food, medicine and basic needs to the protesters and promised to support them until the protests were over.[27] He asked for an appointment with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to donate 1 crore as relief fund for the Kerala flood victims.[28][29]

Filmography

Director

List of films as director, writer, or producer
YearFilmDirectorWriterProducerLanguageNotes
2004MassYesYesNoTelugu
2006 Style Yes Yes No Telugu
2007MuniYesYesNoTamil
DonYesYesNoTelugu
2011KanchanaYesYesYesTamil
2012RebelYesYesNoTelugu
2015Kanchana 2YesYesYesTamil
2019Kanchana 3YesYesYes
2020LaxmiiYesYesNoHindiRemake of Kanchana (2011)

Actor

  • All films are in Tamil language, unless otherwise noted
List of acting performances in film
YearFilmRole(s)Notes
1999 Speed DancerSeenuTelugu film
2000 Unnai Kodu Ennai TharuvenGanapathi
2000 Parthen RasithenDoss
2001 Parthale ParavasamAzhagu
2002 ArpudhamAshok Kumar
StyleRishaanth
2004 ThendralKumar
MassCameoTelugu film
2006 StyleRaghavaTelugu film
2007 MuniGanesh
DonRaghavaTelugu film
2008 PandiPandi
Kuruvi Rajesh
2009 Rajadhi RajaRaja
2010 Irumbukkottai Murattu SingamSingam & Singaram[lower-alpha 1]Double role
2011 Muni 2: Kanchana Raghava
2015 Muni 3: Kanchana 2 Raghava & Shiva[lower-alpha 1]Dual role
2017 Motta Siva Ketta SivaACP ShivakumarAlso playback singer for song "Motta Paiyan"
ShivalingaShivalingeswaran
2019 Muni 4: Kanchana 3 Raghava & Kaali[lower-alpha 1]Dual role
2023 Rudhran Rudhran[30]
Chandramukhi 2 Saravanan Pandian & Sengottaiyan Vettaiyan[lower-alpha 1] Dual role
Jigarthanda DoubleX Alliyus "Aliyan" Caesar [31]
TBA Adhigaram † TBA Filming[32]

Dancer

List of dancing performances in film
Year Film Song Language Notes
1993 Uzhaippali"Uzhaippali Illatha"Tamil
Gentleman"Chikku Bukku Rayile"
Mutha Mestri"Ee Pettakku"Telugu
1994 Chinna Madam"Kora Kizhangukku Kodi"Tamil
1995 Thai Thangai Paasam"Roopu Tera Masthana"
1996 Akka Bagunnava"Aalesha Deko Pyaree"Telugu
1997 Hitler"Nadaka Kalisina Navaraatri"
1998 Prema Pallaki"Kannepilla Pongulu "
Suryudu"Manasu Petti"
1999 Amarkalam"Maha Ganapathi"Tamil
2000 Bagunnara?"Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa"Telugu
Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven"Sollu Thalaiva"Tamil
Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi"Lovvuki Age"Telugu
Chala Bagundi"Yentabagundi Basu"
Thirunelveli"Yele Azhagamma"Tamil
2001 Asura"Maha Ganapathi"Kannada
2002 Varushamellam Vasantham"Naan Ready Neenga Readya"Tamil
Roja Kootam"Subbamma"
Baba"Maya Maya"
2003 Ninne Istapaddanu"Krishna Zilla"Telugu
Satyam"Kuch Kuch"
Naaga"Nayudori Pilla"
Andhrawala"Naire Naire"
Pudhiya Geethai"Annamalai"Tamil
Thirumalai"Thaamthakka Dheemthakka"
2004 Mass"Mass"Telugu
2010 Pen Singam"Adi Aadi Asaiyum Iduppu"Tamil
2014 Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam"Live The Moment"

Television

  • Masthaana Masthaana Part II (2007)

Discography

As a playback singer

List of films as a playback singer
Song(s) Year Film Composer
Thala Suttuthe Maamu 2007 Muni Bharadwaj
Motta Motta Paiyyan 2017 Motta Siva Ketta Siva Amresh Ganesh

As a music composer

List of films as music composer
Year Film
2007 Don
2012 Rebel

As lyricist

Year Film Song Notes
2011Kanchana"Nillu Nillu"

Accolades

Award Category Film Year Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards South Best Dance Choreographer Paarthale Paravasam 2001 Won [33]
Indra 2002 Won [34]
Style 2006 Won [35]
Nandi Awards Best Choreographer Annayya 2000 Won
Indra 2002 Won
Style 2006 Won
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Choreographer Kanchana 2011 Won [36]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lawrence plays a dual role films.
  1. ↑ "Lawrence donates 1cr". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Raghava Lawrence launches Abdul Kalam Trust, donates Rs 1 cr". Hindustan Times. 4 August 2015. Archived from the original on 6 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Raghava Lawrence – Telugu Cinema interview – Telugu film director". Idlebrain.com. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Rediff on the Net, Movies: India rubber". Rediff.com. 25 April 1998. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "பதினாறு வயசுல மறுபிறவி!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 30 September 2001. pp. 56–59. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  6. ↑ TeluguCinema.Com – TC Exclusive: Interview with choreographer-director Lawrence. Telugucinema.com. 11 February 2005
  7. ↑ "Rajini's spiritual suggestion". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Metro Plus Kochi / Music : My First Break – Raghava Lawrence". The Hindu. 8 November 2008. Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Mass (Dammunte Kasko) – Telugu cinema Review – Nagarjuna, Charmy, Jyothika". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "Style review. Style Telugu movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "Tamil Movie review Muni Lawrence Raghavendra Rajkiran Vethika saran gemini production picture gallery images". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "Don Review: Wrong choice of Nagarjuna". Greatandhra. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  13. ↑ "Pandi review. Pandi Tamil movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Review : Rajadhi Raja (2009)". Sify. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam - Tamil Movie Reviews - Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam - Larencce - Lakshmi Rai - Padmapriya - Sandhya - Behindwoods.com". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  16. ↑ "Kanchana review: High on emotions". greatandhra. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  17. ↑ "Rebel (2012) – Rebel Movie – Rebel Telugu Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos". FilmiBeat.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  18. ↑ "Review : Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva review- Crass, loud and brainless (2017)". Sify. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  19. ↑ "Sivalinga Review {2.5/5}: Shivalinga isn't boring or crassy, and is passable, but isn't that too low a bar for a veteran like P Vasu to be settling for?". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  20. ↑ "Kanchana 3 movie review: Raghava Lawrence's film is loud, annoying and barely entertaining horror-thriller". Hindustan Times. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  21. ↑ "Kanchana 3 Box office Collection Report: Raghava Lawrence starrer film beats Kalank, Jersey". Zee Business. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  22. ↑ "Raghava Lawrence on exiting Laxmmi Bomb: I have no issues with Akshay Kumar". India Today. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  23. ↑ India, The Hans (10 November 2023). "Dhanush's Reviews on Jigarthanda Double X Movie". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "Raghava Lawrence helped a child in heart surgery". Cinibytes.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  25. ↑ "Page 1 of Raghava Lawrence Helped 128th Heart Surgery, Raghava Lawrence Helped 128th Heart Surgery Photos". Movies.sulekha.com.
  26. ↑ "Raghava Lawrence helped a child in heart surgery, 128thh heart surgery done by Raghava Lawrence — Serials online SunTv VijayTv Polimer RajTv News". Kollyzone.org. 15 March 2016.
  27. ↑ "For Jallikattu, AR Rahman To Fast, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar And Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudeva Say Ban Must End". Ndtv.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  28. ↑ "Actor-director Raghava Lawrence to donate 1 crore for Kerala". News Minute. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  29. ↑ "Kerala floods: Choreographer-turned-actor Raghava Lawrence to donate Rs 1 crore towards relief fund". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  30. ↑ Rudhran First Look Wall Poster, retrieved 30 June 2022
  31. ↑ "Jigarthanda Double X Twitter reviews are in: Raghava Lawrence and Karthik Subbaraj film termed 'bad, bold and mad'". Hindustan Times. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "Raghava Lawrence's Adhigaram shooting to begin soon". The Times of India.
  33. ↑ "49th Annual Filmfare Awards - South Winners". 2002. Archived from the original on 5 May 2005.
  34. ↑ "Manikchand Filmfare Awards: Sizzling at 50". BSNL. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  35. ↑ "Filmfare Awards presented". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  36. ↑ "TN Govt. announces Tamil Film Awards for six years". The Hindu. 14 July 2017.
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