T. Rajendar

Indian actor and film director

T. Rajendar

Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office
1996–2001
Preceded by| U. Baluraman
Succeeded by| S. G. Vinayakamurthi
Constituency| Park Town
Personal details
Born|

Vijay Thesingu Rajender

Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Political party| Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (from 2004)
Other political
affiliations| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (until 1991 and 1995-2004) Thayaga Marumalarchi Kazhagam (1991-1995)
Spouse(s)| Usha Rajendar

Children| 3 including Silambarasan and Kuralarasan
Occupation| Actor, Film director, Film producer, Musician, Cinematographer and Film distributor [1]

Vijay Thesingu Rajendar, also known as T. R., is an Indian actor, film director, film producer, musician, cinematographer, film distributor and politician who works primarily in the Tamil film industry.[2] He is living in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Rajendar is known for being able to speak in rhyming sentences spontaneously and incessant rapping.[3][4]

## Family[edit]

T. Rajendar is married to former actress Usha Rajendar.[5] They have two sons, Silambarasan and Kuralarasan, and one daughter, Ilakiya.[6] His wife has served as the producer for some of his films, such as Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002), starring Silambarasan.[7]

## Film career[edit]

Rajendar started off in the Tamil film industry making successful films which included him as an actor, playback singer, dancer and scriptwriter. He gained popularity through his one-of-a-kind style of acting. He normally serves as, but not limited to director, actor, songwriter, art director, production manager and playback singer. During the 1980s, all his movies were blockbusters, running for years and the songs were also well appreciated.[2] He is known for introducing new faces in his movies, and many of the actresses who debuted in his movies have been successful in South Cinema, including Amala, Nalini, Jyothi, Jeevitha and Mumtaj.

After some years, Rajendar's films started to decline in popularity because his films became too predictable, tending to follow the same storyline and oratory style of repetitious dialogues with little if any meaning.[8] For example, his films always contain a sentimental scene involving the hero's younger sister in distress, coupled with the same rhyming rhetoric and gestures.[8]

Rajendar recently started his own web TV channel called 'Kural TV' (Voice TV).[9] Originally he wanted to start a 24-hour TV channel but could not, due to problems arising while securing a license. The channel, apart from broadcasting his movies and speeches, tends to echo sentiments towards the plight of Tamils (especially women) in Sri Lanka. He previously owned a magazine called Usha.[10]

Rajendar had started talking with "common" people through Skype and discussing latest politics in the recent years. Rajendar also distributes films under his home banner "Simbu cine arts". His latest film distribution, as of mid-2011 is his son Silambarasan's film Vaanam, which will be distributed in the Chennai and Madurai region.[11]

Since early 2008, Rajendar has been slowly working on the production of a film titled Oru Thalai Kadhal, a tale based on a village singer, in which he stars in the lead role.[12][13] In 2011, he released a first look poster for the film and revealed that three heroines from Mumbai would star alongside him.[14][15] He provided an update in 2014, that the film was still under production and that it was sixty-five percent complete.[16] He has also revealed that he was working on a script to launch his second son, Kuralarasan, as a lead actor.[17]

## Political career[edit]

Rajendar founded the Thayaga Marumalarchi Kazhagam party in 1991 after he had been expelled from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party.[18] In 1996, after Vaiko's departure from the DMK and the formation of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Rajendar's TMK merged with the DMK. Rajendar left the DMK again in 2004, to form the All India Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[19][20][21] Before expulsion, he was the propaganda secretary of DMK and was elected from Park Town constituency in the 1996 Assembly polls.[22] He further supported the AIADMK in the 2006 Assembly elections. After those 2006 elections, the DMK came back to power and he was made vice-chairman of the Small Savings Scheme. He subsequently quit the post.[2][23]

## Filmography[edit]

### As film director[edit]

This is a list of films that he directed. He also acted in, composed music for, produced and cinematographed his own films.

Year | Film | Role  | Notes | Ref.

|
|
|
|

1980 | Oru Thalai Ragam | Hindi-singing student | Cameo appearance; uncredited as director | [24]
Vasantha Azhaippugal |  | Cameo appearance  |
1981 | Rail Payanangalil | Train passenger | Cameo appearance in song "Vasantham Paadi Vara"  | [25]
1982 | Nenjil Oru Raagam | Geetha's brother |  |
Raagam Thedum Pallavi | Actor,
Foreign director (voice) | Cameo appearance;
Also voice role  |
1983 | Uyirullavarai Usha |  | Also producer  |
1983 | Thangaikkor Geetham | Soolakaruppan | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil
Also cinematographer  |
1984 | Uravai Kaatha Kili |  | Also cinematographer  |
1986 | Mythili Ennai Kaathali | Manickam | Also producer and cinematographer  |
1987 | Oru Thayin Sabhatham | Rajkumar |
1988  | En Thangai Kalyani | Velu |
1989  | Samsara Sangeetham |  |
1991  | Shanti Enathu Shanti |  |
1992  | Enga Veetu Velan | —
1994  | Oru Vasantha Geetham |  | Also producer  |
1995  | Thai Thangai Paasam |  | Also producer and cinematographer  |
1999  | Monisha En Monalisa | Kaadhaldasan |
2001  | Sonnal Thaan Kathala | T. R. |
2002  | Kadhal Azhivathillai | Vakkeel Dada |
2007  | Veerasamy | Veerasamy |

### As actor[edit]

This is a list of films that T. Rajender acted in but did not direct.

Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref.

|
|
|
|

1993  | Sabash Babu | Veluchamy |  | [26]
2002  | Kadhal Virus | Himself | Guest appearance  |
2006  | Vallavan | Himself | Guest appearance in song "Yammadi Aathadi"  |
2013  | Arya Surya | Himself | Guest appearance in song "Thagadu Thagadu"  | [27]
2017  | Kavan | Mayilvaganan |  |
Vizhithiru | Himself | Guest appearance in song "Papparappa"  |

### As composer[edit]

This list is of films T. Rajender has composed music for that he did not direct.

Year | Title | Notes | Ref.

|
|
|

1981 | Kilinjalgal |  |
1982 | Sattam Sirikkiradhu |  |
1985 | Unakkaga Oru Roja |  |
1985 | Engal Kural |  |
1986 | Pookkalai Parikkatheergal |  | [28]
1987 | Muthukkal Moondru |  |
Cooliekkaran |  |
Poo Poova Poothirukku |  |
Ivargal Varungala Thoongal |  |
Pookkal Vidum Thudhu | Also screenplay writer |
Aayusu Nooru |  | [29]
1993  | Pettredutha Pillai | Also writer |
Sabash Babu | Also screenplay writer | [26]
1996 | En Aasai Thangachi |  | [30]
1996 | Pombala Siricha Pochu |  |
2002 | Sri Bannari Amman |  |

### As playback singer[edit]

Year  | Song  | Film  | Composer  | Notes

|
|
|
|

1983 | "Thatti Paarthen" | Thangaikkor Geetham | T. Rajendar |
1984 | "Adangoppan Mavane" | Uravai Kaatha Kili | T. Rajendar |
1986 | "En Aasai Mythiliye"
"Ada Ponnana" | Mythili Ennai Kaathali | T. Rajendar |
1994 | "Pogaathe Pogaathe" | Oru Vasantha Geetham | T. Rajender |
1999 | "Nambaathe" | Monisha En Monalisa | T. Rajender |
2001 | "Kaadhalikka Theriyuma" | Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala | T. Rajendar |
2002 | "Vetrinadai",
"Roopamani",
Nambinorai | Sri Bannari Amman | T. Rajender |
2006 | "Ammadi Athadi" | Vallavan | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
2007 | "Marakka Mudiyala"
"Sollalaiye Kadhal"
"Varaanpaaru"
"Vechuriken" | Veerasamy | T. Rajendar |
2007 | "Gun Ganapathi" | Oram Po | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
2008 | "Aathadi" | Sandai | Dhina |
2009 | "Aandipatti Arasampatti" | Rajadhi Raja | Karunas |
2011 | "Dooda" | Doo | Abhisek-Lawrence |
2011 | "Chennai Gaana" | Puli Vesham | Srikanth Deva |
2011 | "Kalasala kalasala" | Osthe | S. Thaman |
2012 | "Yamma Yamma" | Thiruthani | Perarasu |
2013 | "En Aalu" | Summa Nachunu Irukku | Achu Rajamani |
2013 | "Thagaru Thagaru" | Arya Surya | Srikanth Deva |
2014 | "Tharumaru" | Vaalu | S. Thaman |
2014 | "Chai Chai" | Raj Bahadur | Jeevith Krupa | Kannada film[31]
2015 | "Papparappa" | Vizhithiru | Sathyan Mahalingam |
2015 | "Summa Polama" | Chikkiku Chikkikkichu | Vijay Benjamin |
2016 | "Maaman Waiting" | Idhu Namma Aalu | Kuralarasan |
2016 | "Raangu" | Theri | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
2016 | "Damakutalaan" | Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga | C. Sathya |
2017 | "Happy New Year" | Kavan | Hiphop Tamizha |
2018 | "Monkistha Kinkistha" | Koothan | Balz_G |
2023 | "Adhirudha" | Mark Antony | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
2024 | "Jiloma" | The Boys | Arun Gautham |

### As producer[edit]

* Idhu Namma Aalu (2016)

### As distributor[edit]

* Vaanam (2011)
* Vaalu (2015)
* Kadamaiyai Sei (2022)

### As lyricist[edit]

Year  | Song  | Film  | Composer  | Notes

|
|
|
|

2021 | All songs | Maaligai | Sri Krupa | [32]

### Television[edit]

* Super Kudumbam \- Sun TV
* Arattai Arangam \- Sun TV
* Nyayam Endrum Solven \- Vijay TV[33]

## References[edit]

1. ^ TR to stay away from polls Archived 17 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine, IndiaGlitz, 26 March 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
2. ^ a b c Anantharam, Chitra Deepa (27 March 2017) I am the pioneer of kuthu: T Rajendherr Archived 12 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. The Hindu
3. ^ "Simbu poses with father T Rajender at a hospital in America, see photo". The Indian Express. 29 June 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
4. ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. p. 185\. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
5. ^ "Simbu's parents T Rajendar and Usha on his marriage: We are looking for a suitable girl for him". 7 June 2020. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
6. ^ "Simbu-kuralarasan-ilakiya-family-photo". 7 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
7. ^ "JUST IN : Finally STR Getting Married ?? Here's What the Actor Has to Say !! | Chennai Memes". 26 May 2019. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
8. ^ a b "Rajender gets ready with 'Oru thalai kadhal'". Tamilchannel.com. 26 December 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
9. ^ "His virtual world: Actor T. Rajendar launches a web television". The Hindu. 7 March 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
10. ^ "என்னால் பத்திரிகையை நிர்வகிக்க முடியவில்லை!". Kalki (in Tamil). 16 August 1998. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
11. ^ "TR buys 'Vaanam' rights – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
12. ^ "Vijaya T. Rajendar inspired by Ameer – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz.com. 11 March 2008. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
13. ^ "Director Vijaya T. Rajendar – Interview – Behindwoods.com – Director Vijaya T. Rajendar Veerasamy Sonnal Thaan Kathala Kadhal Azhivathillai Monisha En Monalisa images tamil picture gallery images". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
14. ^ "T Rajendar's Oru Thalai Kadhal start rolling from today". Kollyinsider.com. 16 February 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
15. ^ "Vijaya T Rajendar". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
16. ^ "Two heroines for T Rajendar in 'Oru Thalai Kadhal' – Only Kollywood". Onlykollywood.com. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
17. ^ ""Oru Thalai Kadhal" is a romantic entertainer". IndiaGlitz.com. 24 December 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
18. ^ "Tamil film artiste launches new party". Sify. 26 April 2004. Archived from the original on 22 March 2007.
19. ^ Subramanian, T. S. (7 October 2005). "Another actor in politics". Frontline. The Hindu Group. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2010.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
20. ^ Subramanian, T. S. (30 July 2004). "The celluloid connection". Frontline. The Hindu Group. Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
21. ^ 1991 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India Archived 7 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine accessed 19 April 2009
22. ^ "T. Rajendar rejoins DMK". Thehindu.com. 28 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
23. ^ Eenadu (13 April 2024). "రాజకీయ తెరపై తారల తళుకులు.. తమిళనాట పరిస్థితి ఇలా." (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
24. ^ "ஒரு தலை ராகமும்... டி.ராஜேந்தர் எனும் காந்தமும்!". Ananda Vikatan. 9 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021.
25. ^ சாஸ்திரி, நளினி (21 June 1981). "ரயில் பயணங்களில்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 18\. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
26. ^ a b Mannath, Malini (19 November 1993). "Project son!". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
27. ^ "Arya Surya shoot wrapped up". Times of India. 15 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
28. ^ ஜெயமன்மதன் (15 June 1986). "பூக்களை பறிக்காதீர்கள்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 17\. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
29. ^ "Love triangle". The Indian Express. 4 December 1987. p. 5. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
30. ^ "En Aasai Thangachi/Tamizhselvan/Krishna/Poovarasan". The Hindu. 16 August 1996. Archived from the original on 20 December 1996.
31. ^ "T Rajendar Sings for Raj Bahaddur". Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
32. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJYaprxYoI
33. ^ "Vijay TV to launch five 'blockbusters' weeklies". 10 October 2003. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.

## External links[edit]

* T. Rajendar at IMDb
* Interview with TR

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by T. Rajendar

* Oru Thalai Ragam (1980, uncredited)
* Vasantha Azhaippugal (1980)
* Rail Payanangalil (1981)
* Nenjil Oru Raagam (1982)
* Raagam Thedum Pallavi (1982)
* Thangaikkor Geetham (1983)
* Uyirullavarai Usha (1983)
* Uravai Kaatha Kili (1984)
* Mythili Ennai Kaathali (1986)
* Oru Thayin Sabhatham (1987)
* En Thangai Kalyani (1988)
* Samsara Sangeetham (1989)
* Shanti Enathu Shanti (1991)
* Enga Veetu Velan (1992)
* Oru Vasantha Geetham (1994)
* Thai Thangai Paasam (1995)
* Monisha En Monalisa (1999)
* Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala (2001)
* Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002)
* Veerasamy (2007)

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