S. A. Chandrasekhar
S. A. Chandrasekhar | |
|---|---|
Chandrasekhar at Kanithan audio launch | |
| Born | S. A. Chandrasekaran 2 July 1945 |
| Other names | S. A. Chandrasekhar |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Shoba Chandrasekhar |
| Children | 2 including Vijay |
| Relatives | Vikranth (nephew) S. N. Surendar (brother-in-law) |
S. A. Chandrasekhar (born 2 July 1945 as S. A. Chandrasekaran)[1] is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and actor who primarily works in Tamil cinema along with some Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his directorial debut with Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhanthai (1978) and got his breakthrough with Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981). He has directed over 70 movies in all south Indian languages and is known for directing films focusing on social issues.[2][3]
Personal life
Chandrasekar was born in Thangachimadam, Tamil Nadu into a Catholic Christian family as S. A. Chandrasekaran.[4][5][6] His son is Vijay, who is one of the leading actors in Tamil cinema and a politician. Chandrasekhar also had a daughter named Vidya, who died at the age of two.[7] His brother-in-law S. N. Surendar is a playback singer and voice artist. His nephew Vikranth is also an actor.[8]
Film career
Directing
Chandrasekar has directed over 70 movies in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Directors S. Shankar, Senthilnathan, C. Ranganathan, Pavithran, Majith, K. R. Jaya, M. Rajesh, Ponram, T. Shivraj, and Vicky had worked with him as assistants.[9][10]
Some of his hit movies include Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981), Chattaniki Kallu Levu (1981), Nyaya Ellide (1982), Palletoori Monagadu (1983), Saatchi (1983), Vetri (1984), Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985), Sattam Oru Vilayaattu (1987), Senthoorapandi (1993), Rasigan (1994), Deva (1995), Once More (1997), and Nenjirukkum Varai (2006).
He introduced his son Vijay and directed several films in his formative years such as Naalaiya Theerpu (1992), Senthoorapandi (1993), Rasigan (1994), Deva (1995), and Vishnu (1995). Most of his movies are with Vijayakanth or Vijay.
He also directed Telugu movies such as Chattaniki Kallu Levu (1981) and Palletoori Monagadu (1983) with Chiranjeevi. In 2019, he directed his 70th film, Capmaari.[11]
Acting
Chandrasekhar has appeared in supporting roles in movies such as Kudumbam (1984), Pudhu Yugam (1985), Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985), Neethiyin Marupakkam (1985), Enakku Nane Needipathi (1986), Nilave Malare (1986), Vasantha Raagam (1986), Neethikku Thandanai (1987), Sattam Oru Vilayaattu (1987), Innisai Mazhai (1992), Deva (1995), Priyamudan (1998), Sukran (2005) and Kodi (2016).[12]
Chandrasekhar played the lead role in the film Touring Talkies (2015). He acted in Traffic Ramasamy (2018), a biopic about the eponymous activist, and played the title role.[13]
Other work
In the early 2000s, Chandrasekhar slowed down his work as a director and focused on business interests, including on the construction of a three star hotel for his son. In 2000, he began pre-production work on a film titled Dhoosi with Sarathkumar but the project was later shelved.[14]
Controversies
In 2018, Chandrasekhar spoke at the music launch of the movie Visiri at Vadapalani Prasad Lab, Chennai. He allegedly said "offering at Tirupati Hundiyal was like a bribe to the deity and one cannot pass the exam by simply making offering to a deity. If the offering to deity can help you pass the exams, you don't need to write the exams and sit at home".[15] He also said that "success can be achieved only by studying."[16] Virugambakkam police registered a FIR against Chandrasekhar on charges of hurting religious beliefs after a complaint filed by Hindu Munnani over his statements.[17][18]
Filmography
As a director
- Note: he is mostly credited as S. A. Chandrasekaran. For many of his older films, his name was absent from the film credits and only present on promotional media
As a producer
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Veetuku Oru Kannagi | |
| 1999 | Nenjinile | |
| 2005 | Sukran | |
| 2006 | Aathi | |
| 2010 | Veluthu Kattu | |
| 2011 | Sattapadi Kutram | |
| 2016 | Nayyapudai | Also assistant director |
| 2018 | Traffic Ramasamy |
As a screenwriter
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Innisai Mazhai | Uncredited |
| 2002 | Thamizhan | |
| 2025 | Kooran | Also dialogue writer |
As an actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Olimayamana Ethirkalam | ||
| 1981 | Sattam Oru Iruttarai | Hitchhiker | |
| 1984 | Kudumbam | Sekhar | |
| 1985 | Pudhu Yugam | ||
| Naan Sigappu Manithan | Hospital Ward Boy | ||
| 1986 | Enakku Nane Needipathi | Advocate Chandrasekhar | |
| Vasantha Raagam | Chandrasekhar | ||
| 1987 | Sattam Oru Vilayaattu | Peter | |
| 1992 | Innisai Mazhai | Police officer | |
| 1993 | Senthoorapandi | Guest appearance in song "Aadada Aadada" | |
| 1994 | Rasigan | Guest appearance in song "Thambi Konjam" | |
| 1995 | Deva | Marimuthu | |
| 1998 | Priyamudan | CBI officer Gopal | |
| 2005 | Sukran | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 2015 | Touring Talkies | Anthony | Anthology film; segment Love @ 75 |
| 2016 | Nayyapudai | Vellaichamy | |
| Kodi | Thalaivar | ||
| 2018 | Traffic Ramasamy | Traffic Ramasamy | |
| Aaruthra | Shiva's father | ||
| 2019 | Capmaari | Police Inspector | |
| 2021 | Maanaadu | Arivazhagan | |
| 2023 | Tamil Kudimagan | Chinnasamy's advocate | |
| Naan Kadavul Illai | |||
| Karumegangal Kalaigindrana | |||
| 2025 | Kooran | Dharmaraj |
Television
| Year | Title | Channel | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–2024 | Kizhakku Vaasal | Star Vijay | Swamiappan | Tamil |
Notes
References
- ^ "No, Vijay has not patched up with dad SAC". The Times of India. 5 January 2021.
- ^ cbarn. "Metro Plus Coimbatore : 'Message' man". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ^ "Vijay's father and director, SA Chandrasekhar's health stable". The News Minute. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. ""I was born as a Christian, my wife is a Hindu": Vijay's father SA Chandrasekhar responds to allegations - CINEMA - CINE NEWS | Kerala Kaumudi Online". Keralakaumudi Daily. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "SA Chandrasekhar responds to Christian conversion allegations on Thalapathy Vijay". Behindwoods. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Father s 2nd marriage in front of actor Vijay.. ? Real Reason.. ?". indiaherald.com. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Birthday Special: 5 Facts About Vijay You Must Know". Yahoo Movies. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Vikranth in Vishal's 'Pandianadu'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Demystifying India's highest paid film-maker — the elusive S Shankar — The Economic Times". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Kamath, Sudhish (26 September 2013). "Master of Bromance". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ^ "Jai's next with director SA Chandrasekhar titled Capmari". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ SAC breaks silence on proxy direction – IBNLive. Ibnlive.in.com (2012-06-07). Retrieved on 2015-10-16.
- ^ "Traffic Ramasamy review:Average". Sify. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018.
- ^ "Hot New". Archived from the original on 22 February 2003.
- ^ "FIR filed against actor Vijay's father for comments". Deccan Chronicle. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "இந்துக்களை விமர்சித்து பேசியதாக திரைப்பட இயக்குநர் எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகர் மீது வழக்கு". Dinamani (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "விஜய்யின் தந்தை எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகர் மீது விருகம்பாக்கம் காவல்நிலையத்தில் வழக்குப்பதிவு!". Samayam Tamil (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "மத உணர்வுகளை புண்படுத்தியதாக வழக்கு: நடிகர் விஜய் தந்தை எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகருக்கு முன்ஜாமீன்". ThanthiTV.com. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "SA Chandrasekhar's Kanne en Kanmaniyae| Saindhavi | Naan Kadavul Illai Movie | Samuthirakani". YouTube. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.