Kothanda Ramaiah

Keyaar
Born Kothanda Ramaiah aka K R
(1953-01-01) 1 January 1953[1]
Chennai
Other names Keyaar
Occupation Film director, producer, distributor, exhibitor, media personality
Years active 1975–present
Religion Hinduism
Spouse(s) Indira

Kothanda Ramaiah (also credited as KR) is an Indian film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He was heading various positions in different organizations in the Film Industry.[2][3]

Career

KR pursued film processing course at Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972.[1] Upon graduation in 1975, he spent 3 years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as director and producer in the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to release, the film faced a lot of distribution troubles and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it gave him the momentum to take the plunge in film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu while predominantly covering territories such as Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet. Also in Pondicherry & 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.[4]

Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films, his first Directorial Debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave was a commercial Blockbuster with new faces. His most notable collaborations are with Vijayakanth, Ramki, Kushboo and with Urvashi on various occasions. In total he has directed 14 feature films. His film Dancer with a differently abled "Kutty" as the hero fetched the National Award, 3 State Awards and an Award in the prestigious Canadian Film Festival. The film also had a special screening at London Disability Arts Forum

His involvement in film production include producing and financing 40+ films across various Indian Languages. During the course of distribution he was notable as an Exhibitor with 28 Theatres on lease across Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry & Tirupathi including ""Sathyam Cinemas" Chennai from 1984–1993.

He has played a pivotal role for some of the landmarks in Tamil Cinema, Such films during this period include India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil & Telugu, "Pesum Padam" the movie without dialogues 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[5] technology for the first time and "Jai Vedalam" the first folklore to be released in 3D across 4 languages. His film "Dancer" released in 2005 was most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty a highly talented and differently abled artist.

He was elected as President of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) in 2013 and has worked on issues regarding title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers and helping seeing through the release of delayed projects.[6] Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity. All artistes especially Heroines to participate in all promotional activities for their Films.

KR has also written a book "Idhuthaan Cinema" in Tamil literary meaning "This is Cinema", published in 2003. The book details the nuances of Cinema and predicting its future as it is today. He has been an authority for Cinema since the early 80's giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.

KR had a stint with Raadaan Mediaworks as Vice President and is currently one of the Director at Global United Media

Member and Honorary Positions

Post Organisation Notes
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 eminent member in the 8 member Key Advisory committee which included several personalities from across the country to advice the Honorable Union Minister in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India under Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters in respect of the Indian film industry in 2001.

He also served in the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in the year 1989 to study and submit a White Paper on the affairs of Tamil Film Industry.

Filmography

As director

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 Thaali
1998 Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara
Dharma Remake of Hindi film Ziddi
Kumbakonam Gopalu
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

Year Film Role Notes
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 Thoongavanam Yes via Global United Media

As actor

References

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