Mahendran (filmmaker) explained

Mahendran
Birthname:J. Alexander
Birth Date:25 July 1939[1]
Birth Place:Ilaiyangudi, Madras Presidency, British India
Death Date:2 April 2019 (Aged 79)
Death Place:Chennai
Years Active:1966–2006, 2016–2019
Spouse:Jasmine[2]
Children:John Mahendran
Family:Rajesh (Cousin)[3]

J. Alexander (25 July 1939 – 2 April 2019), known professionally as Mahendran, was a Veteran Indian film Director, Screenwriter and Actor, known for his work in the Tamil film industry. Mahendran is regarded as one of the greatest film makers of Tamil cinema and has influenced several filmmakers of the generations that followed.[4]

Mahendran entered the film industry as a screenwriter, writing scripts for nearly 26 films. He made an immediate impact with his first directional venture Mullum Malarum (1978). Mahendran's next film Uthiripookkal, based on a short story written by Pudumaipithan, firmly established him as an important filmmaker in Tamil cinema. His Nenjathai Killathe won three National Film Awards including the award for the best regional film.

He has also acted in films during the latter part of his film career, including Kamaraj (2004), Theri (2016), Nimir (2018) and Petta (2019).

Biography

Mahendran was born on 25 July 1939[5] to Joseph Chelliah, a teacher and Manonmani.[6] Mahendran did his schooling in Ilayangudi and completed his intermediate at American College, Madurai. Later he joined Alagappa Government Arts College to do a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. During his college days, he was very active in stage plays. It was during that time when M. G. Ramachandran (M.G.R.) was invited as the chief guest for the college day during which Mahendran gave a speech that directly criticized the commercial elements that existed in cinema. Impressed by his speech M.G.R. praised Mahendran and said that he could become a good critic. After completing his degree, he went to Madras to study law. Seven months after joining the course he had to discontinue due to financial concerns. He then decided to go back to Ilayangud. However, on the insistence of Karaikudi Kannappa Valliappan he joined Inamuzhakkam, a periodical as a journalist. It was during this time he met M.G.R. again and he was asked to write the screenplay of Ponniyin Selvan after the former decided to make a film based on the story. The idea of developing the screenplay into a film got delayed, and M.G.R. asked Mahendran to write a story for his drama troupe. Mahendran wrote a script titled Anaadhaigal. M.G.R. decided to make a film based on the play. He named the film Vaazhve Vaa and acted in the lead role alongside Savitri. The project got shelved after three days of shooting. Soon M.G.R. acted in a film called Kaanchi Thalaivan and he recommended Mahendran to the director to make him an assistant.

Mahendran made his breakthrough as a screenwriter for the film Naam Moovar in 1966.[7] After the success of the film he got more offers from the same banner and worked in films like Sabaash Thambi and Panakkara Pillai, both released in the subsequent years. He also wrote the script for Nirakudam starring Sivaji Ganesan. He announced that he was working on a new film in 2014 starring newcomers, for which Ilaiyaraaja would score music.[8] He also worked as an actor in the films Kamaraj (2004), Theri (2016),[9] and Nimir (2018).[10]

Mahendran died on 2 April 2019, at the age of 79.[11] [12]

Awards

Filmography

YearFilmCredited as
Directorwidth=65 Storywidth=65 Screenplaywidth=65 Dialogues
1966Naam Moovar
1967Sabash Thambi
1968Panakkara Pillai
1969Nirai Kudam
1972Ganga
1974Thirudi
1974Thangapathakkam
1975Nambikkai Natchathiram
1975Vaazhnthu Kaattugiren
1975Avalukku Aayiram Kangal
1976Vazhvu En Pakkam
1976Mogam Muppadhu Varusham
1977Sonthamadi Nee Enakku
1977Chakravarthi
1977Sonnathai Seiven
1977Aadu Puli Attam
1978Mullum Malarum
1979Pagalil Oru Iravu
1979Uthiripookkal
1980Challenge Ramudu
1980Rishi Moolam
1980Poottaatha Poottukkal
1980Kaali
1980Johnny
1980Nenjathai Killathe
1981Nandu
1982Hitler Umanath
1982Metti
1982Azhagiya Kanne
1984Kai Kodukkum Kai
1986Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu
1991Thaiyalkaran
1992Naangal
1992Oor Panjayathu
1999Kallazhagar
2006Sasanam

As actor

Year Title Role Notes
2004KamarajK. Rajaram
2016TheriVanamaamalai
2017KatamarayuduMachappaTelugu film
2018NimirShanmugham
Mr. ChandramouliAzhagar
SeethakaathiJudge
2019PettaRajapandi
BoomerangJudge
RustumDurga PrasadPosthumous release; Kannada film
2021Pon ManickavelNasrathullahPosthumous release
2022Kombu Vatcha SingamdaDeivendranPosthumous release

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bibekananda Ray. Naveen Joshi. India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Publications Division. Conscience of the race: India's offbeat cinema. 30 July 2013. 1 January 2005. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 978-81-230-1298-8. 122.
  2. Web site: Veteran writer, director Mahendran passes away. 3 April 2019. 3 April 2019. 3 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403175038/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/030419/veteran-writer-director-mahendran-passes-away.html. live.
  3. Web site: பாக்யராஜ் படத்தில் நடிக்கத் தயங்கினேன் – Actor Rajesh Chai With Chithra Part – 1 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/uhzcwslLNb4 . 2021-12-19 . live. 20 September 2020 . . Touring Talkies . Relationship mentioned at 4:42 . 29 September 2020.
  4. Web site: cinemanewstoday.com. 27 June 2016. dead. https://archive.today/20141201125842/http://www.cinemanewstoday.com/director-j-mahendran/. 1 December 2014.
  5. Book: Conscience of the race: India's offbeat cinema. Bibekananda Ray. Naveen Joshi. India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Publications Division. 1 January 2005. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 978-81-230-1298-8. 122. 30 July 2013.
  6. Web site: எம்.ஜி.ஆர். மூலமாக திரை உலகில் நுழைந்த மகேந்திரன். Maalai Malar. 6 August 2013. 17 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120517121517/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/05/12175316/mullu-malarum-director-mahendr.html. live.
  7. Web site: முள்ளும் மலரும் படத்தின் மூலம் இயக்குனர் ஆனார் மகேந்திரன். Maalai Malar. 6 August 2013. 17 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120617212018/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/05/13192234/mullai-malarum-film-director-m.html. live.
  8. Web site: Illayaraja's music has been my films' soul: Filmmaker Mahendran. https://web.archive.org/web/20140314140153/http://www.sify.com/movies/illayaraja-s-music-has-been-my-films-soul-filmmaker-mahendran-news-kollywood-oczqumjfjjd.html. dead. 14 March 2014. . 27 June 2016.
  9. News: The cinema of J Mahendran: Social milieu was his canvas. 2017-01-06. The News Minute. 2017-08-26. 10 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170110103048/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/cinema-j-mahendran-social-milieu-was-his-canvas-55328. live.
  10. News: Mahendran titles Priyan's movie Nimir. Vijayakumar. Sindhu. 5 October 2017. The Times of India. 21 October 2017. 21 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171021221702/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mahendran-titles-priyans-movie-nimir/articleshow/60940045.cms. live.
  11. Web site: J Mahendran, the reluctant filmmaker: What the man who gave us Rajinikanth was like. The News Minute. 2 April 2019. 2 April 2019. Muralidharan, Kavitha. 2 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402090906/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/j-mahendran-reluctant-filmmaker-what-man-who-gave-us-rajinikanth-was-99339. live.
  12. News: Noted director J. Mahendran passes away. . 2 April 2019 . 2 April 2019. 2 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402102504/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/noted-director-j-mahendran-passes-away/article26708828.ece. live.