Keyaar

Indian film director

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Keyaar

Born|

Kothanda Ramaiah

(1953-01-01) 1 January 1953 (age 72)[1]

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Other names| K. R.
Occupation(s)| Film director, producer, distributor, exhibitor, media personality
Years active| 1975–present

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

[edit]

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.[citation needed] The film also had a special screening at the London Disability Arts Forum.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

KR worked at Raadaan Mediaworks as vice president.

## Member and honorary positions

[edit]

Post  | Organisation  | Notes

|
|

Chairman of the Jury | Chennai International Film Festival - Tamil Feature Film Category | Dec 2022
President | Tamil Film Producers' Council | From 2013 – 2014
President | South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce | From 2000 – 2001
Jury Member | National Film Awards | 2001
Vice President | South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce | From 1985 – 2000 Several Occasions
Member | South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce | From 1985, representing Dispute Committee, Title Registration, Publicity Clearance, Property Development Committee, Management Committee of Cinema Centenary Club
Chair Person | National Award Selection Committee | For "Wholesome Entertainment"
Chair Person | National Award Selection Committee | For "Oscar Award" in the category of "Best Foreign Film Award"
General Secretary | South Indian Film & TV Directors Association |
Founder President | Tamil Film Chamber of Commerce | From 1987 – 1991
Founder, Permanent Trustee | Tamil Film Producers' Welfare Trust | Founded in 1994
Former President | Madras City, Chengai District Film Distributors Welfare Association | From 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

[edit]

### As director

[edit]

Year | Film | Notes

|
|

1980 | Shishirathil Oru Vasantham | Malayalam film; Also producer
1991 | Eeramana Rojave | Also producer
1994 | Vanaja Girija |
1995 | Mayabazar |
1996 | Irattai Roja | Remake of Telugu film Shubha Lagnam
Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Remake of Malayalam film Aadyathe Kanmani
Alexander |
1997 | Thaali Pudhusu | Remake of Telugu film Aame
1998 | Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara | Remake of Malayalam film Kalyanji Anandji (film)
Dharma | Remake of Hindi film Ziddi
Kumbakonam Gopalu | Remake of Kannada film Gauri Ganesha
1999 | Suyamvaram |
2000 | Kadhal Rojave | Remake of Hindi film Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin
2005 | Dancer | Also producer; Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain & Best Producer

### As distributor

[edit]

Year | Film | Role | Lead Actors

|
|
|

Producer | Distributor
1981 | Thillu Mullu |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth
1981 | Ram Lakshman |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan
1981 | Enga Ooru Kannagi |  | Yes | Starring Saritha
1982 | Nenjil Oru Raagam |  | Yes | Starring Saritha Thiagarajan
1982 | Ranga |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth
1982 | Rani Theni |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan as a Guest Role
1982 | Payanangal Mudivathillai |  | Yes | Starring Mohan
1982 | Deviyin Thiruvilayadal |  | Yes | Starring Thiagarajan & K.R.Vijaya
1982 | Poi Satchi |  | Yes | Starring Bhagyaraj
1982 | Naan Kudithu Konde Irrupen |  | Yes | Starring K.R.Vijaya & Thengai Srinivasan
1983 | Thalaiyanai manthiram |  | Yes | Starring Sulakshna & Pandiyan
1983 | Sashti Viratham |  | Yes | Starring Sivakumar
1983 | Thai Veedu |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth
1984 | Vaidehi Kathirunthal |  | Yes | Starring Vijaykanth & Revathy
1984 | Vazhkai |  | Yes | Starring Sivaji Ganesan & Ambika
1984 | My Dear Kuttichathan 3D |  | Yes | India's first 3D film
1984 | Nalla Naal |  | Yes | Starring Vijaykanth & Thiagarajan
1984 | Thambikku Entha Ooru |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth & Madhavi
1984 | Anbulla Rajinikanth |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth
1984 | Kuva Kuva Vaathugal |  | Yes | Starring Sivakumar
1985 | Paadum Vaanampadi | Yes |  |
1985 | Mard (Hindi film) |  | Yes | Distribution rights South India & Remake rights Tamil
1985 | Paadum Paravaigal | Yes |  | Dubbed version of Anveshana
1985 | Japanil Kalyanaraman |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan
1985 | Aduthathu Albert |  | Yes | Starring Prabhu
1985 | Poove Poochooda Vaa |  | Yes | Starring S.Ve.Shekhar, Padmini & Nadiya
1985 | Avan |  | Yes | Starring Arjun
1985 | Anthasthu |  | Yes | Starring Murali
1985 | Padikkaatha Pannaiyar |  | Yes | Starring Sivaji Ganesan
1985 | Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri |  | Yes | Starring Vijaykanth
1985 | Sindhu Bhairavi |  | Yes | Starring Sivakumar & Suhasini
1985 | Jai Vedalam 3D | Yes | Yes | Dubbed version of Jai Vedalam
1985 | Kunguma Chimil |  | Yes | Starring Mohan
1985 | Poo Ondru Puyalaanadhu |  | Yes | Dubbed version of Pratighatana
1986 | Vikram |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan
1986 | Punnagai Mannan |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan
1986 | Mythili Ennai Kaathali |  | Yes | Starring T.Rajendar
1986 | Maaveeran |  | Yes | First Tamil film in 70mm
1987 | Chinna Poove Mella Pesu |  | Yes | Starring Prabhu & Ramki
1987 | Velaikaran |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth
1987 | Manathil Uruthi Vendum |  | Yes | Starring Suhasini
1987 | Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi |  | Yes | Starring Visu
1987 | Enga Ooru Pattukaran |  | Yes | Starring Ramarajan
1987 | Pesum Padam |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan
1988 | En Jeevan Paduthu |  | Yes | Starring Karthik & Saranya
1988 | Illam |  | Yes | Starring Sivakumar & Amala
1988 | Manamagale Vaa |  | Yes | Starring Prabhu & Radhika
1988 | Paravaigal Palavitham | Yes | Yes | Starring Ramki & Nirosha
1989 | Solaikuyil |  | Yes | Starring Karthik & Ragini
1989 | Maapillai |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth
1992 | Raasukutti |  | Yes | Starring Bhagyaraj
1990 | Michael Madana Kama Rajan |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan
1990 | Pengal Veetin Kangal |  | Yes | Starring Visu
1991 | Gunaa |  | Yes | Starring Kamalhassan
1991 | Thanthu Vitten Ennai |  | Yes | Starring Vikram
1992 | Aavarampoo | Yes | Yes | Starring Vineeth
1992 | Chinna Marumagal | Yes | Yes | Starring Sivaji Ganesan
1994 | Veera |  | Yes | Starring Rajinikanth
2007 | Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram | Yes |  |
2015 | I |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2015 | Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2015 | Baahubali |  | Yes | via Global United Media (Tamil/ Malayalam/ Telugu)
2015 | Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2015 | Thoongavanam |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2016 | The Jungle Book |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2016 |  Kammatipaadam |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2016 |  Devi(L) |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2017 | Baahubali: The Conclusion |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2017 | Sherlock Toms |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2017 | Mersal |  | Yes | via Global United Media
2018 | K.G.F: Chapter 1 |  | Yes | KR Infotainment
2019 | Yatra |  | Yes | KR Infotainment
2022 | Aayiram Porkasugal |  | Yes | KR Infotainment

### As actor

[edit]

* Pondatti Thevai (1990)[8]
* Kadhal Virus (2002)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "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.[dead link‍]
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.

## External links

[edit]

* Keyaar at IMDb
* Official Website

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Keyaar

* Shishirathil Oru Vasantham (1980)
* Eeramana Rojave (1991)
* Vanaja Girija (1994)
* Mayabazaar 1995 (1995)
* Irattai Roja (1996)
* Enakkoru Magan Pirappan (1996)
* Alexander (1996)
* Thaali Pudhusu (1997)
* Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara (1998)
* Dharma (1998)
* Suyamvaram (1999)
* Kadhal Rojavae (2000)
* Dancer (2005)

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