Sakthi N Chidambaram (born Dinakar),[1] is an Indian film director and screenwriter, who directs Tamil films.
Sakthi Chidambaram | |
|---|---|
| Born | C. Dhinakaran |
| Occupation(s) | Screenwriter, Film director, Actor |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | Radha |
Career
editHis real name is C. Dhinakaran. He first wrote the dialogues for the films Kottai Vaasal (1992), Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru (1994), Uzhiyan (1994) and Pathavi Pramanam (1994). Chidambaram made his directorial debut in 1997 with Samrat, starring Ramki, a remake of Hindi film Baazigar. In 1998, he directed the film Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu, starring Mansoor Ali Khan in the lead role. Both films were failures.[2]
After a gap, he changed his name and directed Ennamma Kannu (2000) with Sathyaraj. The film received mixed reviews and did well.[3] The success of the film prompted director and actor to reunite to make Mr. Narathar with Abbas, Mumtaj and Divyaa Unni also joining the cast. Despite nearly completing shoot, the project was shelved and remains unreleased.[4][5] His next directorial project, Charlie Chaplin (2002), was a hit, and its success led to various remakes in other languages. He created a record in Tamil cinema as it became the first to be remade in six Indian languages, including in Bollywood.[6] His other projects, Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu (2003) and Kadhal Kirukkan (2003), became box office disasters.[7][8]
In 2004, he again collaborated with Sathyaraj with Maha Nadigan, a satire on cinema and politics.[9] The film faced controversy prior to its release for its mockery of Tamil actors and politicians. In late 2004, he agreed to collaborate with Sathyaraj again in a project titled Saddam Hussein, but the project did not continue.[10] In 2005, he briefly worked on the production of a film titled Pattasu with Sibiraj, Vikranth and Chaya Singh, but the film did not complete production.[11]
Sakthi again directed Sathyaraj in Englishkaran (2005) and Kovai Brothers (2006), both successful.[12][13] Sakthi has produced five screenplays which are Kovai Brothers (2006), Viyabari (2007), Sandai (2008), Rajadhi Raja (2009) and Guru Sishyan (2010). For the movie Kaavalan (2011), Sakthi bought Tamil Nadu rights.[14]
In 2012, Sakthi Chidambaram began work on a film titled Machan and immediately speculation arose that Namitha, who has appeared in several of the director's previous films as well as being closely associated with the title, would play a pivotal part in the film.[15] It was later announced that Siva Karthikeyan would play the lead role in the film alongside Dhansika, though the pair were later replaced by a new cast including Ramesh Aravind and comedians Vivek and Karunas.[16] Despite the release of a trailer and soundtrack, the film did not have a theatrical release.[17][18]
His next Charlie Chaplin 2 (2019), a comedy entertainer and a sequel to his 2002 blockbuster with the same name. But this sequel has no connection to the original except Prabhu Deva and Prabhu.[19] The horror comedy Pei Mama with Yogi Babu was released in 2021. Then, the black comedy Jolly O Gymkhana (2024) with Prabhu Deva.[20]
Filmography
edit- As director
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Samrat | |
| 1998 | Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu | |
| 2000 | Ennamma Kannu | |
| 2002 | Charlie Chaplin | |
| 2003 | Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Kirukkan | |
| 2004 | Maha Nadigan | |
| 2005 | Englishkaran | |
| 2006 | Kovai Brothers | |
| 2007 | Viyabari | |
| 2008 | Sandai | |
| 2009 | Rajadhi Raja | |
| 2010 | Guru Sishyan | |
| 2019 | Charlie Chaplin 2 | |
| 2021 | Pei Mama | |
| 2024 | Jolly O Gymkhana |
- As actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Kottai Vaasal | Periyavar's assistant | |
| 1994 | Uzhiyan | Govindaraj's assistant | |
| 1999 | Jodi | Prashanth's friend | Credited as Dinakar |
| 2007 | Vyabari | Cameo appearance in song "Vyabari" | |
| 2013 | Thillu Mullu | Film director | Cameo appearance |
- As writer
- Kottai Vaasal (1992)
- Veettai Paar Naattai Paar (1994)
- Uzhiyan (1994)
- Pathavi Pramanam (1994)
- As producer
- Kovai Brothers (2006)
- Viyabari (2007)
- Pazhani (2008)
- Sandai (2008)
- Rajadhi Raja (2009)
- Guru Sishyan (2010)
- As distributor
Shakthi N Chidambaramhas bought the Tamil Nadu rights for Kaavalan (2011).[21]
- As lyricist
| Year | Film | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Charlie Chaplin | Shansha Shalpasha | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Kirukkan | Hey Penne | |
| 2008 | Sandai | Maduraikara Ponnu | |
| 2013 | Machan | Nanba Enna Marandhuttiya | |
| 2019 | Charlie Chaplin 2 | Kadhal Oru Kannadi | |
| 2021 | Pei Mama | Hey Enna Vechu, Maattikitanda, Pei Ottum |
Controversy
editShakthi N Chidambaram lashed out at actress Suhasini for giving bad reviews of his film Rajadhi Raja (2009).[22][23]
References
edit- ^ "Sakthi Chidambaram Tamil Director | Movie Director Sakthi Chidambaram Story | News, Gossips, Specials, Rumers, Shooting spot, Sneak Previews, New Releases". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
- ^ "Hot New". Cinematoday2.itgo.com. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ "Ennamma Kannu - Tamil Movie Review". www.thiraipadam.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
- ^ "Archived copy". www.minnamutam.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Mr. Narathar". 7 February 2001. Archived from the original on 7 February 2001.
- ^ "More Charlie Chaplin sequels in store: Sakthi Chidambaram". 22 January 2019.
- ^ "Inidhu Inidhu Review - Tamil Movie Inidhu Inidhu Review".
- ^ "Kadhal Kirukkan". IMDb.
- ^ "Sify Movies - Review listing (1970)". Sify. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014.
- ^ "Saddam Hussain in Kodambakkam - Tamil Movie News - IndiaGlitz.com". 16 December 2004.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Pattasu – Sibiraj & Vikrant shooting started". www.behindwoods.com.
- ^ "Englishkaran - Tamil Movie Review". www.thiraipadam.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ^ "Review : (2006)". Sify. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014.
- ^ "Kollywood Director Sakthi Chidambaram Biography, News, Photos, Videos".
- ^ Oor Kaalan (7 February 2012). "Shakti Chidambaram to cast Namitha in Machan? | Tamil Cinema News " KollyInsider". Kollyinsider.com.
- ^ "Marina Hero In Machan – Siva Karthikeyan – Machan – Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. 8 February 2012.
- ^ K. R. Manigandan (19 April 2012). "Life & Style / Metroplus : Shot Cuts". The Hindu.
- ^ "18 stars converge for Machan, machan, Sakthi Chidambaram". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "Charlie Chaplin 2 movie review: A sequel that should never have been made". 26 January 2019.
- ^ "Prabhudeva's 'Jolly O Gymkhana' to release on November 22". Times of India. 8 November 2024. Archived from the original on 9 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "Sakthi Chidambaram takes Vijay's 'Kaavalan' distribution rights". www.kollyinsider.com.
- ^ "Director to file legal suit against Suhasini!". Sify. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011.
- ^ "Shakthi Chidambaram lashes out Mani Rathnam's spouse". 3 June 2009.