Raju Sundaram Explained

Raju Sundaram
Birth Name:Basuva Raju Sundaram
Yearsactive:1992–present
Father:Mugur Sundar

Basuva Raju Sundaram is an Indian dance choreographer, actor and director, who works primarily in Tamil and Telugu films. He appeared as an actor in films like Jeans (1998), 123 (2002), I Love You Da (2002), Quick Gun Murugun (2009); and directed one film, Aegan (2008).

He won the National Film Award for Best Choreography for his work in the song "Pranamam Pranamam" song from the film Janatha Garage (2016)[1] and "Everest Anchuna" song from the film Maharshi (2019).[2]

Personal life

Sundaram is the son of dancer Mugur Sundar, and the elder brother of choreographers Prabhu Deva and Nagendra Prasad.[3]

Career

Sundaram began his career assisting as a choreographer for his father Mugur Sundar's projects, before going on to lead troupes. He was a dancer in "Rukkumani Rukkumani" from Mani Ratnam's Roja (1992) and in Aasai (1995). He also regularly featured in cameo appearances in songs featuring his brother Prabhu Deva, with the pair making appearances in Shankar's early films Gentleman (1993) and Kadhalan (1994).[4] After being the lead choreographer for a few Kannada films, his first break came through Mani Ratnam's Thiruda Thiruda (1993), where he was given the chance to design dances for three songs.[5] He then went on to become a choreographer of Tamil directors Mani Ratnam and Shankar, and worked on Amitabh Bachchan's album, Aby Baby (1996).

Shankar then offered Sundaram an acting opportunity in his romantic comedy Jeans (1998), where Sundaram played a full-length role. He played the lead in the sports drama I Love You Da (2002) alongside his former girlfriend and actress Simran. The Hindu stated the film proves "serious acting is simply not his cup of tea".[6] After working on an unreleased film titled Colombus, he then went on to feature in the trilingual One Two Three (2003) alongside Jyothika and his brothers. The film opened to mixed reviews and did not perform well at the box office.[7] [8] He has since primarily operated as a choreographer, making a few exceptions by starring in comic roles in Jeeva's Unnale Unnale (2007), Prabhu Deva's Engeyum Kadhal (2011) and in the Telugu film, Action 3D (2013).

Filmography

Choreographer

List of film choreography credits
YearTitleLanguage
1992 ChembaruthiTamil
Pandiyan
Bol Radha Bol Hindi
1993 Walter Vetrivel Tamil
Aagraham
UzhaippaliTamil
Gentleman
Udan Pirappu
Kizhakke Varum Paattu
Thiruda Thiruda
Senthoorapandi
Gandharvam Malayalam
1994 Sethupathi IPSTamil
Indhu
Jai Hind
Duet
Rasigan
Kadhalan
May Madham
Karuththamma
Criminal Telugu
Hindi
1995 Gundaraj Hindi
BombayTamil
Coolie
Karnaa
Chinna Vathiyar
Aasai
Makkal Aatchi
Neela Kuyil
Ayudha Poojai
Barsaat Hindi
Thotta Chinungi Tamil
1996 Sahasa Veerudu Sagara Kanya Telugu
Majhdhaar Hindi
Love BirdsTamil
Sengottai
Indian
Kadhal Desam
Mr. Romeo
Nethaji
Tu Chor Main SipahiHindi
Krishna
1997 Sakthi Tamil
MrityudataHindi
Bhai
RaasiTamil
Nerukku Ner
Ratchagan
AuzaarHindi
Ziddi
1998 Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai
JeansTamil
Aval Varuvala
Harichandra
Barood Hindi
SollamaleTamil
Kannedhirey Thondrinal
Kadhal Kavithai
1999 Thulladha Manamum Thullum
En Swasa Kaatre
Love You Hamesha Hindi
Ethirum PudhirumTamil
Poomagal Oorvalam
Vaali
Anantha Poongatre
Nenjinile
Kadhalar Dhinam
Poovellam Kettuppar
Kannodu Kanbathellam
Nee Varuvai Ena
Jodi
Kannupada Poguthaiya
Taj Mahal
2000 Millennium StarsMalayalam
Dada Sahib
Pukar Hindi
Kannukkul NilavuTamil
Good Luck
Sandhitha Velai
Kandukondain Kandukondain
Kushi
Appu
Pennin Manathai Thottu
Parthen Rasithen
Maayi
Rhythm
Priyamaanavale
Snegithiye
2001 AlbelaHindi
Aks
Daddy Telugu
Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar Hindi
FriendsTamil
Badri
Poovellam Un Vasam
Vedham
Samudhiram
12B
Shajahan
Kadal Pookkal
Majunu
2002 Punnagai Desam
Red
Kamarasu
Thamizhan
123
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai Hindi
Indra Telugu
YouthTamil
Run
Arputham
I Love You Da
2003 Aasai Aasaiyai
Parasuram
Paarai
Thithikudhe
Boys
Alai
Thirumalai
Anjaneya
Enakku 20 Unakku 18 Tamil
Telugu
Soori Tamil
Tagore Telugu
2004 UdhayaTamil
Ghilli
Aethiree
Madhurey
Chellamae
Run Hindi
Attagasam Tamil
Donga DongadiTelugu
Malliswari
Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... Hindi
Gudumba ShankarTelugu
Sye
Shankar Dada MBBS
HulchulHindi
2005
ThirupaachiTamil
Ji
Maayavi
Chandramukhi
Sachein
Ullam Ketkumae
Anniyan
Ponniyin Selvan
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu
Athadu Telugu
Ghajini Tamil
No EntryHindi
Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...
MajaaTamil
Sandakozhi
Jai Chiranjeeva Telugu
2006 Kalvanin KadhaliTamil
Kusthi
LakshmiTelugu
Happy
Unakkum EnakkumTamil
Varalaru: The History of Godfather
Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam
BangaramTelugu
Stalin
Rakhi
2007 Pokkiri Tamil
Godava Telugu
Unnale Unnale Tamil
Desamuduru Telugu
Tamil
Thottal Poo Malarum
Aarya
Marudhamalai
LakshyamTelugu
Yamadonga
Tulasi
2008 Dhaam DhoomTamil
Aegan
2009 Villu
Ayan
Ek Niranjan Telugu
Wanted Hindi
2010 AasalTamil
Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai
Kacheri Arambam
Paiyaa
Don Seenu Telugu
Sura Tamil
Khaleja Telugu
Enthiran: The Robot Tamil
Brindavanam Telugu
2011 KaavalanTamil
Mappillai
Engeyum Kadhal
2012 Vettai
Billa II
Julai Telugu
2013 Alex PandianTamil
Singam II
Chennai Express Hindi
Pattathu YaanaiTamil
Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara
All in All Azhagu Raja
Endrendrum Punnagai
Biriyani
Bhai Telugu
2014 JillaTamil
Bramman
Ennamo Nadakkudhu
Kochadaiiyaan
Anjaan
Sigaram Thodu
Mukunda Telugu
Kaaviya Thalaivan Tamil
2015 Srimanthudu Telugu
Bajrangi Bhaijaan Hindi
AneganTamil
Kaaki Sattai
Inimey Ippadithaan
Kaaval
Run Raja RunTelugu
Jil
Puli Tamil
Size Zero Telugu
Tamil
TemperTelugu
2016 Nannaku Prematho
Saagasam Enra Veerachayal Tamil
Thozha Telugu
Tamil
Natpadhigaram 79Tamil
24
Express Raja Telugu
Enakku Innoru Per Irukku Tamil
Janatha Garage Telugu
RemoTamil
Rekka
Kaashmora
Brahmotsavam Telugu
Balle VellaiyathevaaTamil
2017 Bogan
Kadamban
KaadhaliTelugu
Winner
Kodi VeeranTamil
Sakka Podu Podu Raja
2018 Mannar Vagera
Junga
Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava Telugu
Sandakozhi 2 Tamil
Bharat Ane Nenu Telugu
2019 Irupathiyonnaam Noottaandu Malayalam
Saaho Telugu
Hindi
Rustum Kannada
Maharshi Telugu
Pailwaan Kannada
Sanga ThamizhanTamil
Seeru
Hero
2020 Darbar
Ka Pae Ranasingam
2021 Kalathil Santhippom
Krack Telugu
Tughlaq DurbarTamil
Raajavamsam
Republic Telugu
Maanaadu Tamil
Kotigobba 3 Kannada
2022 Varalaru MukkiyamTamil
The Legend
Coffee with Kadhal
2023 Varisu
Bagheera
Bommai
2024

Actor

List of film acting credits
Year TitleRoleLanguageNotes
1998Jeans Madhesh Tamil
1999 En Swasa Katre Raju Special appearance
2002 Manasella Neene Arun Kannada
2002 I Love You Da Raju Tamil
2003 123 Pazhani Tamil
2006 Pellaina Kothalo Prakash Telugu
2007 Unnale Unnale Raju Tamil
2009 Quick Gun Murugun Rowdy MBA English
2011 Engeyum Kaadhal Raju Tamil
2012 Julai Himself Telugu Special appearance
2013 Mirchi Himself Special appearance
2013 Action 3D Purush
2015 Isai Himself Tamil Special appearance
2017 Yaanum Theeyavan Pasupathy Tamil
2018 Padi Padi Leche Manasu Goon Telugu Special appearance

Dancer

List of film dancing credits
YearFilmSongLanguageNotes
1991 Assembly Rowdy "Turpu Kondallo" Telugu
1991 Idhayam "Ohh Party Nalla" Tamil
1992 Roja "Rukumani Rukumani"
1992 Suriyan "Thoongu Moonchi"
1993 Enga Thambi "Ithu Maanodum"
1993 Gentleman "Chikku Bukku"
1994 Lockup Death "Current Banthu" Kannada
1994 Police War "Teenage Papa" Telugu
1994 Jai Hind "Bodhai Yeri Pochu" Tamil
1994 Kadhalan "Kadhalikkum Pennin"
1995 Mounam "Dhammaro Abbaya Raro" Telugu
1995 Aasai "Shockkadikuthu Sona" Tamil
1997 Ullaasam "Valibam Vaazha Sollum"
1998 Sollamale "Allamma Samba"
1999 Kadhal Kavithai "Aalana Naal Mudhala"
1999 Circle Inspector "Urmila Urmila" Kannada
1999 Kya Soorat Hai "Kya Soorat Hai" Hindi Music Video, song from Bombay Vikings band
1999 En Swasa Kaatre "Jumbalaka" Tamil
1999 Ethirum Pudhirum "Thottu Thottu"
1999 Anantha Poongatre "Meenatchi Meenatchi"
1999 Poovellam Kettuppar "CBI Enge", "O Senorita"
2000 Sandhitha Velai "Muniyamma"
2000 Pennin Manathai Thottu "Saltkotta"
2000 Maayi "Thennagam Aalum"
2000 Rhythm "Ayyayyo Pathikichu"
2000 Chamundi "Usarvalli Kshnakondu" Kannada
2001Aks"Banda Bindas"Hindi
2001Poovellam Un Vaasam"Yukta Mookhey"Tamil
2003 Alai "Alai Adikuthu" Tamil
2005 Ullam Ketkumae "Mazhai Mazhai"
2005 Anniyan "Kumari"
2005 Modati Cinema "Ninnyna Nadyna" Telugu
2009 Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam "Evade Subramanyam"
2010 Pa. Ra. Palanisamy "Singari Mava" Tamil
2012 Vettai "Dhum Dhum"
2013 Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara "En Veettula"
2013 Endrendrum Punnagai "Ennatha Solla"
2014 Ennamo Nadakkudhu "Money Money"
2016 Thozha "Door Number One"
2016 Natpadhigaram 79 "Sollu Sollu Chellamma"
2016 Devi "Chal Maar"
Abhinetri Telugu
Tutak Tutak Tutiya Hindi
2016 Remo "Tamilselvi" Tamil
2016 Kaashmora "Dhikku Dhikku Sir"
2017 Bogan "Damaalu Dumeelu"
2019 Sangathamizhan "Oh My God"
2021Tughlaq Durbar "Arasiyal Kedi"

Awards

Won

Legacy

Choreographers and artists L. L. Cool Jayanth, Ashok Raja, Dinesh,[9] Sridhar,[10] Shobi Paulraj,[11] Baba Bhaskar,[12] Kalyan, Johny, Noble Paul,[13] Prem Rakshith, Jani,[14] Lalitha Shobi, Sathish Krishnan, Viji Sathish, Poppy, Japan Kumar, Sindhuja, Nanditha Jennifer, Raja, Shanthi Arvind, Anusha Swamy, Boopathy & Vasanthi had worked as dancers and assistants to him.[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 64th National Awards . dff.nic.in . 7 April 2017 . 8 April 2017 . 6 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170606051143/http://dff.nic.in/writereaddata/NFA64PressNote2016.pdf . live.
  2. News: The Hindu Net Desk . 2021-03-22 . 67th National Film Awards: Complete list of winners . en-IN . The Hindu . 2021-03-24 . 0971-751X. 22 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210322165021/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/67th-national-film-awards-complete-list-updating/article34131921.ece. live.
  3. Web site: It takes Raju to tango – HYDB . The Hindu . 2006-01-03 . 2015-10-30 . 19 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220419101710/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/it-takes-raju-to-tango/article3185066.ece . live.
  4. Web site: rediff.com, Movies: Dancer in the dark: Raju Sundaram . Rediff.com . 2001-12-04 . 2015-10-30 . 25 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141025014158/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/dec/04raju.htm . live.
  5. Web site: Raju Sundaram – Telugu Cinema interview – Telugu film choreographer . Idlebrain.com . 2005-09-27 . 2015-10-30 . 22 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150822215931/http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/rajusundaram.html . live.
  6. Web site: I Love You Da . https://web.archive.org/web/20030201152318/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/12/13/stories/2002121301100200.htm . dead . 2003-02-01 . 2002-12-13 . . 2015-10-30.
  7. Web site: In front of the camera! . Chennai Online . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041117070151/http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/mar124.asp . 17 November 2004 . dead.
  8. Web site: One Two Three . https://web.archive.org/web/20020815071451/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/06/07/stories/2002060700940200.htm . dead . 2002-08-15 . 2002-06-07 . . 2015-10-30.
  9. Web site: Dinesh Master choreographer – the Official Site . 9 November 2015 . 14 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150814072323/http://dineshmaster.com/profile . dead.
  10. Web site: Star Holiday (07/06/15) A day out with choreographer sridhar master [Epi – 8] ]. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/0vaBAIqJ7fo . 2021-12-17 . live . Youtube . 28 June 2015 . 9 November 2015.
  11. Web site: Dance In His Genes:Shobi And His Inspirations . News Central . 14 August 2015 . 9 November 2015.
  12. Web site: Virundhinar Pakkam Choreographer Baba Basker Dt 11-09-13 . dead . Youtube . 10 September 2013 . 9 November 2015 . 24 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160324161212/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuAhUTs2SBg.
  13. Web site: Choreographer Nobel Interview Part 1 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/CVe8rJSBozE . 2021-12-17 . live . Youtube . 16 June 2012 . 9 November 2015.
  14. Web site: Jani Master journey with director Shankar; from back dancer to choreographer . . 18 July 2021 . 20 March 2022 . 20 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220320055826/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/jani-master-journey-with-director-shankar-from-back-dancer-to-choreographer/articleshow/84500824.cms . live.
  15. Web site: Adhu Idhu Yedhu – Johnny Master, Bobby Antony & Baba Bhaskar Groupla Doupe . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/XFP0UQY4qqM . 2021-12-17 . live . Youtube . 14 November 2011 . 9 November 2015.