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R. Velraj
Indian cinematographer

Rajamani Velraj is an Indian cinematographer, director and writer who primarily works in Tamil and Hindi cinema. He is known for his long-standing collaborations with Vetrimaaran and M. Muthaiah.

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Personal life

Rajamani Velraj was born in the village Kootthiyar Kundu near Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He went to PKN Boys Higher Secondary School (Tirumangalam), and studied at Madurai Sourastra College.2

Career

Early in his career, he worked as an assistant to cinematographer Tirru in several Tamil films. After working with actor Dhanush in Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film, Polladhavan, directed by then debutant, Vetrimaaran. He won the Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer in 2008.3 Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, from Aadukalam to their most recent film, Viduthalai Part 1 (2023). He made his directional debut with Velaiilla Pattadhari, starring Dhanush and Amala Paul and with Anirudh as the music director. The film was extremely successful and became a cult film. In 2015, he directed his second film, Thanga Magan. Velraj is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers.4

Filmography

As cinematographer

YearTitleLanguageNotes
200223rd March 1931: ShaheedHindiRa Operator
2003SupariHindi
2006Phir Hera PheriHindi
2007Parattai Engira Azhagu SundaramTamil
PolladhavanTamilWinner, Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer5
2008Kabhi Bhi Kahin BhiHindi
Malabar WeddingMalayalam
2010KandaharMalayalamCollaborated with Ravi Varman
2011AadukalamTamilWinner, Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – TamilWinner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer

(Cameo appearance)6

SiruthaiTamil7
Engeyum EppodhumTamilWinner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer8
20123Tamil9
SavaariKannada
LeelaiTamil
2013Naan Rajavaga PogirenTamil
Ethir NeechalTamil
Udhayam NH4Tamil10
NaiyaandiTamil11
2014Velaiyilla PattathariTamilDirector (Cameo appearance)12
PoriyaalanTamil(Cameo appearance)
2015KombanTamil(Cameo appearance)
Vai Raja VaiTamil13
Paayum PuliTamil(Cameo appearance)
Thanga MaganTamilDirector (Cameo appearance)14
2016PugazhTamil(Cameo appearance)15
MarudhuTamil
2017Power PaandiTamil(Cameo appearance)16
2018Kadaikutty SingamTamil(Cameo appearance)
Vada ChennaiTamil(Cameo appearance)17
2019DevTamil
AsuranTamil(Cameo appearance)18
SangathamizhanTamil
2021Pulikkuthi PandiTamil19
UdanpirappeTamil20
2022VeerapandiyapuramTamil21
The LegendTamil22
Anel Meley Pani ThuliTamil23
PettaikaaliTamilTV series on Aha24
Kuttram KuttrameTamil25
2023Viduthalai Part 1Tamil26
Kathar Basha Endra MuthuramalingamTamil
2024Viduthalai Part 2Tamil
2025SingleTelugu27

As director

YearTitleLanguageNotes
2014Velaiilla PattadhariTamilWinner, Edison Award for Best Debut DirectorNominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Cameo as Traffic Police
2015Thanga MaganTamilCameo as Ramalingam

As actor

Awards

References

  1. "Cinema cinema!". The Hindu. 31 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 January 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/cinema-cinema/article6267935.ece

  2. "Cinema cinema!". The Hindu. 31 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 January 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/cinema-cinema/article6267935.ece

  3. "A reluctant director". The Hindu. 19 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 January 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-reluctant-director/article6229065.ece

  4. "Acclaimed cinematographer Velraj gets the prestigious ISC recognition". www.zoomtventertainment.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023. https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/acclaimed-cinematographer-velraj-gets-the-prestigious-isc-recognition/598830

  5. Kumar, Pradeep (16 February 2019). "The Usual Suspects: Dhanush, Vetrimaaran and R Velraj". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dhanushs-polladhavan-scene-is-my-best-work-r-velraj/article26291658.ece

  6. Kumar, Pradeep (16 February 2019). "The Usual Suspects: Dhanush, Vetrimaaran and R Velraj". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dhanushs-polladhavan-scene-is-my-best-work-r-velraj/article26291658.ece

  7. "Cinema cinema!". The Hindu. 31 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 January 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/cinema-cinema/article6267935.ece

  8. "Engeyum Eppodhum". Deccan Herald. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.deccanherald.com/content/193224/engeyum-eppodhum.html

  9. "Cinema cinema!". The Hindu. 31 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 January 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/cinema-cinema/article6267935.ece

  10. "NH4: Take this route". The Hindu. 20 April 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/nh4-take-this-route/article4636533.ece

  11. "Dhanush Helped With Script, Says Vellai Illa Pattathari Director". NDTV.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dhanush-helped-with-script-says-vellai-illa-pattathari-director-640648

  12. "A reluctant director". The Hindu. 19 July 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-reluctant-director/article6229065.ece

  13. "'Vai Raja Vai' gearing up for April 24". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vai-raja-vai-gearing-up-for-april-24/articleshow/46593318.cms

  14. ""It was all Dhanush"". The Hindu. 19 December 2015. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Velraj-says-quotThangamaganquot-has-nothing-to-do-with-quotVIPquot-his-debut/article59837667.ece

  15. "Surbhi: My role in Pugazh a reflection of my real self | India.com". www.india.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.india.com/entertainment/surbhi-my-role-in-pugazh-a-reflection-of-my-real-self-469457/

  16. "Dhanush Tweets First Look of Power Paandi, His Debut as Director". NDTV.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023. https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dhanush-tweets-first-look-of-power-paandi-his-debut-as-director-1455468

  17. "Blow for Dhanush's Vada Chennai: Amala Paul exits after Vijay Sethupathi". Hindustan Times. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/blow-for-dhanush-s-vada-chennai-amala-paul-exits-after-vijay-sethupathi/story-iRxMtTtyqn8EzXxTZE1qaI.html

  18. Kumar, Pradeep (16 February 2019). "The Usual Suspects: Dhanush, Vetrimaaran and R Velraj". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dhanushs-polladhavan-scene-is-my-best-work-r-velraj/article26291658.ece

  19. "'புலிக்குத்தி பாண்டி' ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் வெளியீடு". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/617131-pulikuthi-pandi-first-look-released.html

  20. The Hindu Net Desk (5 October 2021). "Jyotika: 'Udanpirappe is special, as it shows the strength of a woman's silence'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/jyotika-udanpirappe-is-special-as-it-shows-the-strength-of-a-womans-silence/article36835986.ece

  21. "Veerapandiyapuram Movie Review: An uninventive, dull revenge drama". Cinema Express. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2022/feb/17/veerapandiyapuram-movie-review-an-uninventive-dull-revenge-drama-29809.html

  22. "The Legend gets U/A certficate". Cinema Express. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/jul/27/the-legend-gets-ua-certficate-33109.html

  23. Sudevan, Praveen (18 November 2022). "'Anel Meley Pani Thuli' movie review: Andrea excels in a gritty crime drama about sexual assault". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/anel-meley-pani-thuli-movie-review-andrea-excels-in-a-gritty-crime-drama-about-sexual-assault/article66150684.ece

  24. IANS. "Vetri Maaran's Jallikattu-Based Series 'Pettaikaali' To Stream From Diwali". Outlook India. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/vetri-maaran-s-jallikattu-based-series-pettaikaali-to-stream-from-diwali-news-226979

  25. "Kuttram Kuttrame Movie Review: Jai, Harish Uthaman shine in Susienthiran's return to form". Cinema Express. Retrieved 25 April 2023. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2022/apr/27/kuttram-kuttrame-movie-review-jai-harish-uthaman-shine-in-susienthirans-return-to-form-31135.html

  26. "Vijay Sethupathi begins dubbing for Viduthalai". OTTPlay. Retrieved 30 January 2023. https://www.ottplay.com/news/vijay-sethupathi-begins-dubbing-for-viduthalai-pictures-with-vetri-maaran-go-viral/33f6bb9d665

  27. Geetha Arts (28 April 2025). #Single Trailer | #SingleOnMay9th | Sree Vishnu, Ketika, Ivana | Allu Aravind | Caarthick Raju. Retrieved 28 April 2025 – via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=6-RygBN_kZh9qoIZ&v=q2KdzXF_svA&feature=youtu.be

  28. "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South)". The Times of India. 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 July 2013. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/The-59th-Idea-Filmfare-Awards-2011South/articleshow/14742576.cms