Perarasu (born 8 January 1967) is an Indian film director who works primarily in Tamil cinema and is best known for masala films with Vijay and Bharath.[2] Perarasu has also made cameo appearances in most of his films apart from sometimes being a music director, singer and lyricist.
Perarasu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 January 1967 |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, Music director |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouses |
|
Personal life
editPerarasu, was born on 8 January 1967 in Natarasankottai in Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu.
Perarasu married Shanthi at Nattarasankottai on June 11, 2000 and a girl child Viruthika was born to them in July 2001.[3] When Shanthi conceived a second time, she was given abortion pills and fell ill, where she was sent by Perarasu to her parents. A panchayat was summoned and they started living together. However, Perarasu insisted Shanthi in moving to Nattarasankottai. During this time, Perarasu received an explicit divorce decree without Shanthi's knowledge. Shanthi took steps to have the decree rescinded and moved the JM court to Bhavani, who asked Perarasu to pay child support.[3] Though Perarasu had filed a petition challenging the order, neither he and his counsel appeared in court when the matter was called on five occasions. On September 12, 2007, a judicial magistrate court in Bhavani in Erode district, directed Perarasu to pay alimony of ₹10,000 a month to Shanthi and ₹5,000 a month to their daughter.[4] Perarasu later married Krishnaveni.[5]
Career
editPerarasu tried for 7 to 8 years to make it big in cinema industry and had some off-beat stories. When Perarasu was new to Chennai, he used to frequent AVM Productions and stand in front of the studios longing to visit the place, where he also bribed a production in charge ₹10 rupees one day and got himself into the studios. Perarasu's 15–16 years experience in the industry taught him to analyse the pulse of the audience and give them what they want. He honed his skills under Rama Narayanan and N. Maharajan. Apart from assisting, Perarasu appeared in few films doing small uncredited roles.
Perarasu made his directorial debut with Thirupaachi starring Vijay in the lead role as his 40th film. The film was released on the eve of Pongal and received positive reviews from critics claiming that "you may strive hard to find anything new in Tirupachi, which is old wine served in a new bottle, with a different label".[6][7] Thirupaachi became a commercial success by completing and 200 days in theatres.[8]
After the success of Thirupaachi, Perarasu collaborated with Vijay again for Sivakasi, which also marks Vijay's third collaboration with A. M. Rathnam after Kushi and Ghilli. The film was released on Diwali to positive reviews from critics and eventually became a successful venture claiming that ""This formula had worked well for director Perarasu and Vijay in Thirupaachi and now the team has re-worked it. This time, however, it will test your patience as it is not meant for the class audience or those seeking quality entertainment. Perarasu and Vijay believe only in catering to the mass audience who want their dose of unpretentious masala mix"[9]
During the making of Sivakasi, representatives from AVM Productions approached Perarasu to make a film with Ajith Kumar in the lead role.[10] The director immediately accepted the offer and told the producer the story of the film during the meeting and the film was announced publicly two days later.[11] In August 2005, it became clear that the film would begin in November and that Riyaz Khan would play the lead antagonist role in the project. Sadha was signed on to play the lead role after early reports suggested that either Nayanthara, Renuka Menon or Gopika would play the lead female role. The film was named Thirupathi and was launched officially on 15 September 2005 with Vijay attending the opening ceremony.[12] The film was critically panned with critics claiming that the film drew too much resemblance to Perarasu's previous projects, but became a commercial success.[13]
After the success of Thirupathi, Perarasu announced a project called "Pandigai" with S. J. Suryah, but the project was cancelled and he announced his next project Dharmapuri with Vijayakanth in 2006 since Rathnam expressed his desire of Perarasu directing a film for him again after Sivakasi. When Rathnam and Vijayakanth heard the ‘one liner’ of the film, they both liked it instantly and thus Dharmapuri was created without even a heroine.
Perarasu's next film was Pazhani, starring Bharath and Kajal Aggarwal, but became an above average venture at the box office. He then directed films like Thiruvannamalai and Thiruthani. Thiruvannamalai was a commercial success, but Thiruthani became a box-office bomb. Later, Perarasu made his directorial debut in Malayalam with Samrajyam 2, which was also partially reshot in Tamil as Tihar. Samrajyam 2 was the sequel of Samrajyam which starred Mammootty in the lead role. The Malayalam and Tamil versions received negative reviews from critics and became a box-office bomb.[14]
Filmmaking style
editPerarasu primarily directs films he claims are "aimed at the common man who looks at pure entertainment" rather than critics or intellectuals. He also wants his films to be packed with mind-blowing soundtrack, fast-paced script and punch dialogues inserted along with sentiments, humour, twists and turns. Due to his films being named after towns and cities, Perarasu has been nicknamed "Oorarasu" by the media, the term being a portmanteau of "oor" (meaning town or city) and his name Perarasu.[15][16][17]
Filmography
edit- All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
As film director
edit| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Thirupaachi | |
| Sivakasi | ||
| 2006 | Thirupathi | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer |
| Dharmapuri | ||
| 2008 | Pazhani | |
| Thiruvannamalai | ||
| 2012 | Thiruthani | Also music composer |
| 2015 | Samrajyam II: Son of Alexander | Malayalam film[18] Partially reshot in Tamil as Tihar |
- As lyricist
| Year | Title | Song | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Thirupaachi | all songs | Dhina | |
| Sivakasi | all songs | Srikanth Deva | ||
| 2006 | Vallavan | Ammadi Aathadi | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Kedi | Aatha Unnai | Yuvan Shankar Raja | ||
| Dharmapuri | all songs | Srikanth Deva | ||
| Thirupathi | all songs | Bharathwaj | ||
| 2007 | Madurai Veeran | Gokka Makka | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2008 | Pazhani | all songs | Srikanth Deva | |
| Thiruvannamalai | all songs | Srikanth Deva | ||
| 2009 | Rajadhi Raja | all songs | Karunas | |
| 2012 | Thiruthani | all songs | Himself | |
| 2022 | Coffee with Kadhal | Thiyagi Boys | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
- As singer
| Year | Title | Song | Composer | Co-artists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Dharmapuri | "Vandha Vaadi" | Srikanth Deva | Suchithra | |
| 2008 | Pazhani | "Loc Loc Local" | Srikanth Deva | Suchitra |
- As actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Sathan Sollai Thattathe | guy at park | credited as Ma. Perarasu |
| 1999 | Ethirum Pudhirum | Doctor | Uncredited |
| 2004 | Arasatchi | Reporter | |
| 2005 | Sivakasi | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2006 | Thirupathi | Auto driver | |
| Dharmapuri | Lawyer | ||
| 2007 | Puli Varudhu | Himself | Cameo appearance in a song "Kanava Nejama" |
| 2008 | Pazhani | Thiruthani | Cameo appearance |
| Thiruvannamalai | Dr. Swamy Malai | ||
| Pandhayam | Himself | ||
| 2012 | Thiruthani | Ramalingam | Cameo appearance |
| 2013 | Onbadhula Guru | Himself | Cameo appearance in song "Vaa Machi" |
| 2015 | Samrajyam II: Son of Alexander | Malayalam film; cameo appearance in song "Megathin Meethada" | |
| 2021 | Minmini | ||
| 2024 | Petta Rap | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2024 | Uppu Puli Kaaram | Yashoda's lawyer | Web series |
| 2025 | Central |
References
edit- ^ "Director Perarasu's Wife become as playback singer". thehindu.com. 11 February 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ Interview with director perarasu / இயக்குனர் பேரரசு பேட்டி. Web.archive.org (21 February 2010). Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ a b "HC upholds alimony order against film director". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ "Film director's plea against alimony dismissed". The Times of India. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ Perarasu, AR Murugadoss (24 October 2013). "Top director's wife at the Commissioner's office to lodge complaint". KollyInsider. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ `Tirupachi` creates a new record!. Sify.com. Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ Review : Tirupachi. Sify.com. Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ Chennai Box Office. sify.com (8 February 2005). Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Movie Review:Sivakasi". Sify. Archived from the original on 22 December 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ^ www.ajithkumar.fr.fm Archived 26 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. www.ajithkumar.fr.fm (14 April 2006). Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ Perarasu on Tirupathi Archived 2 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ "டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு — Tamil Kavithai -- தமிழ் கவிதைகள் - நூற்று கணக்கில்!". Archived from the original on 8 January 2006.
- ^ Sify Movies – Review listing Archived 31 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Sify.com (2 December 2012). Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ Sify Movies – Review listing. Sify.com (2 December 2012). Retrieved on 16 November 2016.
- ^ ""I make films for common man":Perarasu". Sify. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- ^ "Thiruvannamalai". Ayngaran International. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- ^ Raghavan, Nikhil (12 March 2011). "Name it right!". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- ^ Ammu Zachariah (10 June 2012). "Kollywood director Perarasu's M'wood debut". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.