| Chitralaya Gopu | |
| Native Name: | சித்ராலயா கோபு |
| Birth Name: | Sadagopan |
| Birth Date: | 1931 7, df=yes[1] |
| Occupation: | Writer, director |
| Yearsactive: | 1959–1990 |
| Spouse: | Kamala |
| Children: | 4 |
Sadagopan (better known as Chitralaya Gopu) is an Indian screenwriter and director who works in the Tamil cinema. He has written nearly 60 films, and directed 27 of them.[2] He scripted dramatic films such as Moondru Dheivangal and Shanti Nilayam and comedies such as Kadhalikka Neramillai, Galatta Kalyanam, Patti Sollai Thattathe and Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa.[3]
C. V. Sridhar and Sadagopan were childhood friends since their schooldays in St. Joseph's High School, Chengalpattu.[4] Both were playwrights; Sridhar wrote stage plays and played the hero while Sadagopan wrote the humorous parts and played the comedian.[5] Later, when Sridhar had the opportunity to direct a film, he asked Sadagopan to join him and produce the comedy track.[6] [7] The film Kalyana Parisu (1959) was a hit and Sridhar started his own production house, Chitralaya.[8] Sadagopan became popularly known as 'Chitralaya' Gopu.[9]
He received the Kalaimamani Award from Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa in 1992.
He directed and acted in television forays, such as Washingtonil Thirumanam, which was shot in the U.S.
Gopu is married to Kamala, a novelist. They have four sons.[10] [11]
| Year | Film | Credited as | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | width=65 | Writer | |||
| 1959 | Kalyana Parisu | ||||
| 1962 | Nenjil Or Aalayam | ||||
| 1964 | Kadhalikka Neramillai | ||||
| 1964 | Kalai Kovil | ||||
| 1966 | Pyar Kiye Jaa | Remake of Kadhalikka Neramillai | |||
| 1966 | Kodimalar | ||||
| 1967 | Nenjirukkum Varai | ||||
| 1967 | Ooty Varai Uravu | ||||
| 1967 | Anubavam Pudhumai | ||||
| 1968 | Galatta Kalyanam | ||||
| 1969 | Shanti Nilayam | ||||
| 1970 | Veettuku Veedu | ||||
| 1971 | Moondru Deivangal | ||||
| 1971 | Sumathi En Sundari | ||||
| 1971 | Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa | ||||
| 1972 | Kasethan Kadavulada | ||||
| 1974 | Athaiya Mamiya | ||||
| 1974 | Penn Ondru Kanden | ||||
| 1974 | Galate Samsara | ||||
| 1977 | Kalamadi Kalam | ||||
| 1977 | Rasi Nalla Rasi | ||||
| 1979 | Alankari | ||||
| 1979 | Asaikku Vayasillai | ||||
| 1979 | Dhairyalakshmi | ||||
| 1984 | Raja Veettu Kannukkutty | ||||
| 1985 | Thanga Mama 3D | ||||
| 1985 | Vellai Manasu | ||||
| 1985 | Thendrale Ennai Thodu | ||||
| 1988 | Vasanthi | ||||
| 1988 | Paatti Sollai Thattathe | ||||
| 1989 | Dilli Babu | ||||
| 1990 | Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga | Last film | |||