R. Parthiban | |
|---|---|
 Parthiban 62nd Filmfare Awards South | |
| Born | Radhakrishnan Parthiban (1958-10-14)14 October 1958 (age 67)[1] Madras,Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Radhakrishnan Parthiban[a] (born 14 October 1958) is an Indian actor and film director who works mainly inTamil cinema. He has directed 16 films, produced 14 films and acted in more than 70 films. He started his career as assistant director forK. Bhagyaraj in 1984 and the duo worked in over 20 films from 1984 to 1991.[3] Parthiban is known for having directed critically acclaimed films such asPudhiya Paadhai (1989) andHouse Full (1999) won theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.[4] He also wonNational Film Award – Special Jury Award inOtha Seruppu Size 7 (2019).[5]
His performances as actor are in successful films such asBharathi Kannamma (1997),Nee Varuvai Ena (1999),Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000),Azhagi (2002),Aayirathil Oruvan (2010),Melvilasom (2011),Otha Seruppu Size 7 (2019) andIravin Nizhal (2022).
On 25 December 2018, he was appointed as the new Vice President of theTamil Film Producers Council replacingGautham Vasudev Menon andPrakash Raj who were jointly holding the position until 24 December 2018.[6]
Parthiban was born in aTelugu speaking Naidu family[7][8] on 15 November 1958 inMadras (now Chennai),Tamil Nadu, India. His father is Radhakrishnan. He started as an assistant director in the filmVedikkai Manidhargal. He was even given an opportunity to assist in dialogue in the name of R. Moorthy. After this, he joined as an assistant ofK. Bhagyaraj. At that time, he used to make around Rs 6000 a month by dubbing for various artists. He made his first film appearance inRanuva Veeran (1981). Then, he played the role of a postman in his mentor'sDhavani Kanavugal (1984).[9]
Apart from direction and acting, he produces films. He wrote a book,Kirukkkalgal – Thamizh Kavithai Thoguppu, which was released byM. Karunanidhi. He runs a charitable trust named "R.Parthepan Manidha Neya Mandram".[10]
Parthiban married actressSeetha in 1990, with whom he worked inPudhea Paadhai the previous year.[11] The couple has two daughters including P. S. Keerthana, who won theNational Film Award for Best Child Artist forKannathil Muthamittal (2002), and an adopted son.[12] The couple filed for divorce in September 2003,[13] which was granted in March 2004.[14]
In 1989, he made his directorial debut throughPudhiya Paadhai, starring himself as an inhuman ruffian who gets reformed by his rape victim.[15][16] The film was released to critical acclaim and emerged a box office success, while also winning several accolades, including theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil,Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film andTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer. In early 1990, he directed and acted inPondatti Thevai, which failed at the box office. In the end of 1990, he appeared inR. Sundarrajan'sThalattu Padava and in the devotional filmEngal Swamy Ayyappan. In 1991, he starred inS. P. Muthuraman'sThaiyalkaran. In 1992, he starred inUnnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren, co-starring withSuman Ranganathan andMohini. He then directed and acted inSugamana Sumaigal, a clean family drama, which failed at the box office. In 1993, to recoup the financial losses, he directed and acted in the commercial filmUlle Veliye. Ayyappa Prasad ofThe New Indian Express labelled the film as "flesh and bore". Despite negative reviews, the film has been declared a super hit at the box office. He then directed and acted in 1994 inSarigamapadani and the next year inPullakuttikaran. In 1996, he acted in the comedy filmTata Birla.[17]
He wonTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor forBharathi Kannamma (1997). He played a man from a lower caste who azamindari falls in love with.[18] Parthipan, the actor, director and producer, loves breaking the conventional rules set by commercial cinema. He has taken roles that other heroes would carefully avoid, directed films that his critics found to be arty. The actor has remained uncompromising and stuck to his principles in spite of some not-so-memorable roles in the past. After the critically acclaimed and award-winning films such asHouse Full (1999) andAzhagi (2002), audience and the trade have acknowledged the maker's undisputed talents.[19][20] His 1999 Tamil filmHouse Full won the same award.[21]
In 2001, he launched an ambitious directorial project titledYelelo, withA. R. Rahman composing four songs for the film. Despite having a high-profile launch and completion of a few filming schedules, the venture was shelved.[22] Similarly, he launched three films simultaneously titledKartha,Rowdy andAdi after the failure ofKudaikul Mazhai (2004), though all projects were abandoned.[23][24]
The filmAayirathil Oruvan (2010), in which he portrayed aChola King, won him theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil.[25]His previously released movieKathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam becomes Parthiban's first directorial film in which he does not feature in the lead role. The film, which has a tagline reading "a film without a story?", began production in late 2013 and released on 15 August 2014 and received positive reviews from all the sides and was a huge blockbuster hit in the box office. In 2015, he portrayed a cop inMassu Engira Masilamani and played a comedian villain inNaanum Rowdy Dhaan. He acted in supporting role in theMaaveeran Kittu (2016) andKoditta Idangalai Nirappuga (2017). He appeared in Kannada movieDada Is Back (2017), which he played in lead role as undisputed king of the underworld in Bengaluru.[26] Followed by a comedy film,Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam (2017). In 2018, he acted in the drama filmKeni.[27]
In 2019, Parthiban wrote, directed and appeared inOththa Seruppu Size 7, as the only character. He revealed that it was his 18-year dream to make this film.[28] Along with the outstanding performance and sharp visuals, the film is amplified by the amazing sound design which gives life to the uncanny, yet detailed confession of Masilamani.[29] At67th National Film Awards, Parthiban won theSpecial Jury Award.[30] He also wins three awards atToronto Tamil Film Festival, which includes the Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Jury Award for Best Feature Film Director and Best Solo Act Award.[31] Parthiban has been a part of multi-starrers as well, includingPonmagal Vandhal (2020),Tughlaq Durbar (2021),Yutha Satham (2022),Ponniyin Selvan (2022) andPonniyin Selvan: II (2023).
| Year | Film | Credited as | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Producer | |||
| 1989 | Pudhiya Paadhai |  Y | Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Won—National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil[32] Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer[33] | |
| 1990 | Pondatti Thevai | Y | ||
| 1992 | Sugamana Sumaigal | Y | Y | |
| 1993 | Ulle Veliye | Y | Y | |
| 1994 | Sarigamapadani | Y | Y | |
| 1995 | Pullakuttikaran | Y | Y | |
| 1999 | House Full | Y | Y | Won—National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil[34] Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Special Award for Best Film[35] |
| 2002 | Ivan | Y | Y | |
| 2004 | Kudaikul Mazhai | Y | Y | |
| 2006 | Pachchak Kuthira | Y | Y | |
| 2011 | Vithagan | Y | Y | |
| 2014 | Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam | Y | Y | Cameo |
| 2017 | Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga | Y | Y | |
| 2019 | Otha Seruppu Size 7 | Y | Y | Won—National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film)[30] Won—Toronto Tamil Film Festival Jury Award Best Feature Film[36] Won—Toronto Tamil Film Festival Jury Award Best Feature Film Director[37] |
| 2022 | Iravin Nizhal | Y | Y | |
| 2024 | Teenz | Y | Y | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Suzhal: The Vortex | Shanmugam |
| Year | Title | Song | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Sarigamapadani | "Hey Kala Kala" | Deva | |
| 2005 | Kannadi Pookal | "Dey Vasu" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| 2024 | Teenz | "Bibli Bibli Bili Bili" | D. Imman | Co-singers include D. Imman,Arivu, Key |
| Year | Title | Song | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Kudaikul Mazhai | "Adiye Kiliye" | Karthik Raja | |
| 2011 | Vithagan | All songs | Joshua Sridhar | |
| 2017 | Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga | "Kilukilu Payai", "Wife Love" | C. Sathya | |
| 2022 | Iravin Nizhal | "Kaayam", "Bejara", "Kannethire" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2024 | Teenz | "Kaanaathathai Naan Kandeney", "Vaanamey Kaanomey", "Ikky Pikky", "Yesuvey Nee Pesuvey", "We Are The Teenz" | D. Imman | Also co-lyricist for "Bibli Bibli Bili Bili"withArivu |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
| People | |
