Kothanda Ramaiah (also known as K. R. and Keyaar) is an Indian film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He has held various leading positions in different film industry organizations.
Career
KR studied film processing at the Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972. Upon graduation in 1975, he spent three years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as a director and producer with the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to its release, the film faced a number of distribution problems and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it provided him the incentive to move into film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu covering territories including: Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet, Pondicherry, and 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.
Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films. His directorial debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave featured new actors and was a huge commercial success. His most notable collaborations are with actors Vijayakanth, Ramki, Khushbu, and with Urvashi on several occasions. In total he has directed fourteen feature films. His film Dancer, released in 2005, most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty, a highly talented and disabled artist, won the National Award, three State Awards, and an award at the prestigious Canadian film festival. The film also had a special screening at the London Disability Arts Forum.
His involvement in film production includes producing and financing over forty films in various Indian Languages. While he was involved in film distribution he was also an exhibitor with twenty-eight theatres leased across: Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi; he also ran the Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai from 1984 to 1993.
He has played a role in some of the landmarks of Tamil cinema including: India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil and Telugu; Pesum Padam a movie without dialogue 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 technology for the first time; and Jai Vedalam the first film to be released in 3D in four languages.
He was elected president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) in 2013 and has worked on issues including title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers, and helping see through the release of delayed projects. Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity and having actors participate in all promotional activities for their films.
KR has also written a book Idhuthaan Cinema (This is Cinema) in Tamil published in 2003. It details the nuances of cinema and predicts its future viewed from today. He has been an authority on cinema since the early 1980s giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.
KR worked at Raadaan Mediaworks as vice president.
Member and honorary positions
Post Organisation Notes Chairman of the Jury Chennai International Film Festival - Tamil Feature Film Category Dec 2022 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 ClubChair 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 members of an eight-member advisory committee, which included several personalities from across the country, to advise the Honorable Union Minister in the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters pertaining to the Indian film industry in 2001.
He also served on the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1989 to study and submit a white paper on the state of the 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 Aame1998 Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara Remake of Malayalam film Kalyanji Anandji Dharma Remake of Hindi film Ziddi Kumbakonam Gopalu Remake of Kannada film Gauri Ganesha 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 Producer
As distributor Year Film Role NotesProducer Distributor 1981 Thillu Mullu 1981 Ram Lakshman 1981 Enga Ooru Kannagi 1982 Nenjil Oru Raagam 1982 Ranga 1982 Rani Theni 1982 Payanangal Mudivathillai 1982 Deviyin Thiruvilayadal 1982 Poi Satchi 1982 Naan Kudithu Konde Irrupen 1983 Thalaiyanai manthiram 1983 Sashti Viratham 1983 Thai Veedu 1984 Vaidehi Kathirunthal 1984 Vazhkai 1984 My Dear Kuttichathan 3D India's first 3D film 1984 Nalla Naal 1984 Thambikku Entha Ooru 1984 Anbulla Rajinikanth 1984 Kuva Kuva Vaathugal 1985 Paadum Vaanampadi 1985 Mard (Hindi film) Distribution rights South India & Remake rights Tamil 1985 Paadum Paravaigal Dubbed version of Anveshana 1985 Japanil Kalyanaraman 1985 Aduthathu Albert 1985 Poove Poochooda Vaa 1985 Avan 1985 Anthasthu 1985 Padikkaatha Pannaiyar 1985 Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri 1985 Sindhu Bhairavi 1985 Jai Vedalam 3D Dubbed version of Jai Vedalam 1985 Kunguma Chimil 1985 Poo Ondru Puyalaanadhu Dubbed version of Pratighatana 1986 Vikram 1986 Punnagai Mannan 1986 Mythili Ennai Kaathali 1986 Maaveeran First Tamil film in 70mm 1987 Chinna Poove Mella Pesu 1987 Velaikaran 1987 Manathil Uruthi Vendum 1987 Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi 1987 Enga Ooru Pattukaran 1987 Pesum Padam 1988 En Jeevan Paduthu 1988 Illam 1988 Manamagale Vaa 1988 Paravaigal Palavitham 1989 Solaikuyil 1989 Maapillai 1992 Raasukutti 1990 Michael Madana Kama Rajan 1990 Pengal Veetin Kangal 1991 Gunaa 1991 Thanthu Vitten Ennai 1992 Aavarampoo 1992 Chinna Marumagal 1994 Veera 2007 Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram 2015 I via Global United Media 2015 Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka via Global United Media 2015 Baahubali via Global United Media (Tamil/ Malayalam/ Telugu) 2015 Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi via Global United Media 2015 Thoongavanam via Global United Media 2016 The Jungle Book via Global United Media 2016 Kammatipaadam via Global United Media 2016 Devi(L) via Global United Media 2017 Baahubali: The Conclusion via Global United Media 2017 Sherlock Toms via Global United Media 2017 Mersal via Global United Media 2018 K.G.F: Chapter 1 KR Infotainment 2019 Yatra KR Infotainment 2022 Aayiram Porkasugal KR Infotainment
As actor Pondatti Thevai (1990) Kadhal Virus (2002)
References
External links
Official Website