T. Rajendar Explained

T. Rajendar
Birth Name:Vijay Thesingu Rajender
Birth Place:Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Office:Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
Term Start:1996
Term End:2001
Predecessor:U. Baluraman
Successor:S. G. Vinayakamurthi
Constituency:Park Town
Occupation:Actor, Film director, Film producer, Musician, Cinematographer and Film distributor [1]
Party:Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (from 2004)
Otherparty:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (until 1991 and 1995-2004) Thayaga Marumalarchi Kazhagam (1991-1995)
Spouse:Usha Rajendar
Children:3 including Silambarasan and Kuralarasan

Vijay Thesingu Rajendar, also known as T. R., is an Indian actor, film director, film producer, musician, cinematographer, film distributor and politician who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. He is living in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Rajendar is known for being able to speak in rhyming sentences spontaneously and incessant rapping.[2] [3]

Family

T. Rajendar is married to former actress Usha Rajendar.[4] They have two sons, Silambarasan and Kuralarasan, and one daughter, Ilakiya.[5] His wife has served as the producer for some of his films, such as Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002), starring Silambarasan.[6]

Film career

Rajendar started off in the Tamil film industry making successful films which included him as an actor, playback singer, dancer and scriptwriter. He gained popularity through his one-of-a-kind style of acting. He normally serves as, but not limited to director, actor, songwriter, art director, production manager and playback singer. During the 1980s, all his movies were blockbusters, running for years and the songs were also well appreciated.[7] He is known for introducing new faces in his movies, and many of the actresses who debuted in his movies have been successful in South Cinema, including Amala, Nalini, Jyothi, Jeevitha and Mumtaj.

After some years, Rajendar's films started to decline in popularity because his films became too predictable, tending to follow the same storyline and oratory style of repetitious dialogues with little if any meaning.[8] For example, his films always contain a sentimental scene involving the hero's younger sister in distress, coupled with the same rhyming rhetoric and gestures.[8]

Rajendar recently started his own web TV channel called 'Kural TV' (Voice TV).[9] Originally he wanted to start a 24-hour TV channel but could not, due to problems arising while securing a license. The channel, apart from broadcasting his movies and speeches, tends to echo sentiments towards the plight of Tamils (especially women) in Sri Lanka. He previously owned a magazine called Usha.[10]

Rajendar had started talking with "common" people through Skype and discussing latest politics in the recent years. Rajendar also distributes films under his home banner "Simbu cine arts". His latest film distribution, as of mid-2011 is his son Silambarasan's film Vaanam, which will be distributed in the Chennai and Madurai region.[11]

Since early 2008, Rajendar has been slowly working on the production of a film titled Oru Thalai Kadhal, a tale based on a village singer, in which he stars in the lead role.[12] [13] In 2011, he released a first look poster for the film and revealed that three heroines from Mumbai would star alongside him.[14] [15] He provided an update in 2014, that the film was still under production and that it was sixty-five percent complete.[16] He has also revealed that he was working on a script to launch his second son, Kuralarasan, as a lead actor.[17]

Political career

Rajendar founded the Thayaga Marumalarchi Kazhagam party in 1991 after he had been expelled from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party.[18] In 1996, after Vaiko's departure from the DMK and the formation of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Rajendar's TMK merged with the DMK. Rajendar left the DMK again in 2004, to form the All India Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[19] [20] [21] Before expulsion, he was the propaganda secretary of DMK and was elected from Park Town constituency in the 1996 Assembly polls.[22] He further supported the AIADMK in the 2006 Assembly elections. After those 2006 elections, the DMK came back to power and he was made vice-chairman of the Small Savings Scheme. He subsequently quit the post.[7] [23]

Filmography

As film director and producer

This is a list of films that he directed and/or produced. He also acted in, composed music for and cinematographed many of his own films.

YearTitleCredited as RoleNotesRef.
Producer Cinematographer
1980Oru Thalai Ragam Hindi-singing student Cameo appearance; uncredited as director [24]
Vasantha Azhaippugal Cameo appearance
1981Rail Payanangalil Train passenger Cameo appearance in song "Vasantham Paadi Vara"[25]
1982Nenjil Oru Raagam Geetha's brother
Raagam Thedum Pallavi Actor,
Foreign director (voice)
Cameo appearance
1983Uyirullavarai Usha
1983Thangaikkor Geetham Soolakaruppan Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil
1984Uravai Kaatha Kili
1986Mythili Ennai Kaathali Manickam
1987Oru Thayin Sabhatham Rajkumar
1988En Thangai Kalyani Velu
1989Samsara Sangeetham
1991Shanti Enathu Shanti
1992Enga Veetu Velan
1993Pettredutha Pillai
1994Oru Vasantha Geetham
1995Thai Thangai Paasam
1999Monisha En Monalisa Kaadhaldasan
2001Sonnal Thaan Kathala T. R.
2002Kadhal Azhivathillai Vakkeel Dada
2007Veerasamy Veerasamy
2016 Idhu Namma Aalu

As actor

This is a list of films that T. Rajender acted in but did not direct.

YearFilm Role Notes Ref.
1993Sabash BabuVeluchamy also screenplay writer
2002Kadhal VirusHimself Guest appearance
2006VallavanHimself Guest appearance in song "Yammadi Aathadi"
2013Arya SuryaHimself Guest appearance in song "Thagadu Thagadu"[26]
2017KavanMayilvaganan
Vizhithiru Himself Guest appearance in song "Papparappa"

As composer and writer

This list is of films T. Rajender has composed music and wrote for that he did not direct.

YearTitleCredited as NotesRef.
Music Director Writer
1981Kilinjalgal
1982Sattam Sirikkiradhu
1985Unakkaga Oru Roja
1985Engal Kural
1986Pookkalai Parikkatheergal [27]
1987Muthukkal Moondru
Cooliekkaran
Poo Poova Poothirukku
Ivargal Varungala Thoongal
Pookkal Vidum Thudhu
Aayusu Nooru [28]
1989Enga Veettu Deivam
1993Pettredutha Pillai Also associate director
Sabash Babu [29]
1996 En Aasai Thangachi [30]
1996 Pombala Siricha Pochu
2002 Sri Bannari Amman
2021 Maaligai [31]

As playback singer

YearSongFilmComposerNotes
1983"Thatti Paarthen" Thangaikkor Geetham T. Rajendar
1984"Adangoppan Mavane" Uravai Kaatha KiliT. Rajendar
1986"En Aasai Mythiliye"
"Ada Ponnana"
Mythili Ennai Kaathali T. Rajendar
1994"Pogaathe Pogaathe" Oru Vasantha Geetham T. Rajender
1999 "Nambaathe" Monisha En Monalisa T. Rajender
2001"Kaadhalikka Theriyuma" Sonnal Thaan KaadhalaT. Rajendar
2002"Vetrinadai",
"Roopamani",
Nambinorai
Sri Bannari Amman T. Rajender
2006"Ammadi Athadi" Vallavan
2007"Marakka Mudiyala"
"Sollalaiye Kadhal"
"Varaanpaaru"
"Vechuriken"
Veerasamy T. Rajendar
2007 "Gun Ganapathi" Oram Po
2008"Aathadi"SandaiDhina
2009"Aandipatti Arasampatti"Rajadhi Raja Karunas
2011 "Dooda" Doo Abhishek-Lawrence
2011 "Chennai Gaana" Puli Vesham
2011 "Kalasala Kalasala" Osthe
2012 "Yamma Yamma" Thiruthani
2013"En Aalu"Summa Nachunu Irukku
2013 "Thagadu Thagadu" Arya Surya
2014 "Tharumaru" Vaalu S. Thaman
2014 "Chai Chai" Raj Bahadur Jeevith Krupa Kannada film[32]
2015 "Papparappa" Vizhithiru
2015 "Summa Polama" Chikkiku Chikkikkichu Vijay Benjamin
2016 "Maaman Waiting"Idhu Namma Aalu
2016 "Raangu"Theri
2016 "Damakutalaan" Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga
2017 "Happy New Year" Kavan
2018 "Monkistha Kinkistha" Koothan Balz_G
2023"Adhirudha"Mark AntonyG. V. Prakash Kumar
2024"Jiloma"The BoysArun Gautham

As distributor

Television

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.indiaglitz.com/tr-to-stay-away-from-polls-tamil-news-65268.html TR to stay away from polls
  2. Web site: 2022-06-29 . Simbu poses with father T Rajender at a hospital in America, see photo . 2022-08-11 . The Indian Express . en . 11 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811040315/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/simbu-poses-with-father-t-rajender-america-hospital-see-photo-7998374/ . live .
  3. Book: Rajadhyaksha . Ashish . Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema . Willemen . Paul . . 1998 . 0-19-563579-5 . 185 . Ashish Rajadhyaksha . Paul Willemen . 1994.
  4. Web site: Simbu's parents T Rajendar and Usha on his marriage: We are looking for a suitable girl for him. 7 June 2020 . 28 August 2021. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810200017/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/simbu-s-parents-t-rajendar-and-usha-on-his-marriage-we-are-looking-for-a-suitable-girl-for-him-1686432-2020-06-07. live.
  5. Web site: Simbu-kuralarasan-ilakiya-family-photo. 7 January 2015. 28 August 2021. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810200019/http://www.entertainmentcorner.in/galleries/rare_unseen_pics/silambarasan-with-family-and-friends/attachment/simbu-kuralarasan-ilakiya-family-photo/. live.
  6. Web site: JUST IN : Finally STR Getting Married ?? Here's What the Actor Has to Say !! | Chennai Memes. 26 May 2019 . 28 August 2021. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810200025/https://www.chennaimemes.in/just-in-finally-str-getting-married-heres-what-the-actor-has-to-say/. live.
  7. Anantharam, Chitra Deepa (27 March 2017) I am the pioneer of kuthu: T Rajendherr . The Hindu
  8. Web site: Rajender gets ready with 'Oru thalai kadhal' . Tamilchannel.com . 26 December 2010 . 13 March 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323074020/http://www.tamilchannel.com/news_page/29/3995/Rajender_gets_ready_with_Oru_thalai_kadhal/ . 23 March 2012 .
  9. News: His virtual world: Actor T. Rajendar launches a web television . https://web.archive.org/web/20091104045712/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/03/07/stories/2009030753531200.htm. dead. 4 November 2009. 7 March 2009. The Hindu. 15 July 2009.
  10. 1998-08-16 . என்னால் பத்திரிகையை நிர்வகிக்க முடியவில்லை! . . Ta . 2 June 2023.
  11. Web site: TR buys 'Vaanam' rights – Tamil Movie News . https://web.archive.org/web/20110427060841/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/66148.html . dead . 27 April 2011 . IndiaGlitz . 13 March 2012.
  12. Web site: Vijaya T. Rajendar inspired by Ameer – Tamil Movie News. IndiaGlitz.com. 11 March 2008. 16 July 2018. 17 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717013047/https://www.indiaglitz.com/vijaya-t-rajendar-inspired-by-ameer-tamil-news-37168.html. live.
  13. Web site: Director Vijaya T. Rajendar – Interview – Behindwoods.com – Director Vijaya T. Rajendar Veerasamy Sonnal Thaan Kathala Kadhal Azhivathillai Monisha En Monalisa images tamil picture gallery images. Behindwoods.com. 16 July 2018. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062855/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/director/vijaya-t-rajendar.html. live.
  14. Web site: T Rajendar's Oru Thalai Kadhal start rolling from today. Kollyinsider.com. 16 February 2011 . 16 July 2018. 16 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180716224051/http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/02/t-rajendars-oru-thalai-kadhal-start.html. live.
  15. Web site: Vijaya T Rajendar. Behindwoods.com. 16 July 2018. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227051146/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-events/Vijaya-T-Rajendar-20-03-12.html. live.
  16. Web site: Two heroines for T Rajendar in 'Oru Thalai Kadhal' – Only Kollywood. 8 July 2014. Onlykollywood.com. 16 July 2018. 17 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717041613/https://www.onlykollywood.com/t-rajendar-oru-thalai-kadhal-film-two-heroines/. live.
  17. Web site: "Oru Thalai Kadhal" is a romantic entertainer. IndiaGlitz.com. 24 December 2010. 16 July 2018. 17 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717013115/https://www.indiaglitz.com/oru-thalai-kadhal-is-a-romantic-entertainer-tr-tamil-news-62563.html. live.
  18. Web site: Tamil film artiste launches new party. 26 April 2004. Sify . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070322040940/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13462493. 22 March 2007.
  19. Web site: T. S. . Subramanian . Another actor in politics . https://web.archive.org/web/20060427114343/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2220/stories/20051007003203900.htm . usurped . 27 April 2006 . . . 7 October 2005 . 20 January 2010.
  20. Web site: T. S. . Subramanian . The celluloid connection . . . 30 July 2004 . 20 January 2010 . 1 June 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090601235031/http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl2115/stories/20040730003803600.htm . live.
  21. http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1991/StatisticalReport-Tamil%20Nadu91.pdf 1991 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India
  22. Web site: T. Rajendar rejoins DMK. 28 December 2013. 16 July 2018. Thehindu.com. 26 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140826085746/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/t-rajendar-rejoins-dmk/article5510667.ece. live.
  23. News: Eenadu. రాజకీయ తెరపై తారల తళుకులు.. తమిళనాట పరిస్థితి ఇలా... 13 April 2024. 13 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240413053157/https://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/districts/Tamilnadu/704/124070827. 13 April 2024. te.
  24. Web site: ஒரு தலை ராகமும்... டி.ராஜேந்தர் எனும் காந்தமும்!. 9 May 2016. Ananda Vikatan. https://archive.today/20210509122006/https://www.vikatan.com/anniversaries/kollywood/63803-magnetic-trajendar-and-oru-thalai-raagam-movie#selection-845.0-845.48. 9 May 2021.
  25. சாஸ்திரி . நளினி . 21 June 1981 . ரயில் பயணங்களில் . live . . Ta . 18 . https://archive.today/20230408024450/https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-06-21/page/n17/mode/2up . 8 April 2023 . 7 April 2023.
  26. Web site: Arya Surya shoot wrapped up. Times of India. 15 January 2017. 3 June 2019. 1 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180901045456/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Arya-Surya-shoot-wrapped-up/articleshow/20926608.cms. live.
  27. ஜெயமன்மதன் . Subha (writers) . 15 June 1986 . பூக்களை பறிக்காதீர்கள் . live . . Ta . 17 . https://archive.today/20230217055943/https://archive.org/details/kalki1986-06-15/page/16/mode/2up . 17 February 2023 . 16 February 2023.
  28. News: 4 December 1987 . Love triangle . 5 . . 11 January 2019.
  29. News: Mannath . Malini . 19 November 1993 . Project son! . 6 . . 6 January 2019.
  30. Web site: En Aasai Thangachi/Tamizhselvan/Krishna/Poovarasan. 16 August 1996. The Hindu. https://web.archive.org/web/19961220091023/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960817/03/1633a.html. 20 December 1996.
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJYaprxYoI
  32. Web site: T Rajendar Sings for Raj Bahaddur. 6 March 2014. 7 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140307102014/http://www.chitraloka.com/news/4657-t-rajendar-sings-for-raj-bahaddur.html. live.
  33. Web site: Vijay TV to launch five 'blockbusters' weeklies . 10 October 2003 . 28 November 2021 . 28 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211128132240/https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/oct/oct81.htm . live .