Mahendran (filmmaker)

Mahendran
Mahendran in April 2016
Born
J. Alexander

(1939-07-25)25 July 1939[1]
Ilaiyangudi, Madras Presidency, British India
Died2 April 2019 (Aged 79)
Chennai
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • actor
  • literary editor
Years active1966–2006, 2016–2019
SpouseJasmine[2]
ChildrenJohn Mahendran
FamilyRajesh (Cousin)[3]

J. Alexander (25 July 1939 – 2 April 2019), known professionally as Mahendran, was a Veteran Indian film Director, Screenwriter and Actor, known for his work in the Tamil film industry. Mahendran is regarded as one of the greatest film makers of Tamil cinema and has influenced several filmmakers of the generations that followed.[4]

Mahendran entered the film industry as a screenwriter, writing scripts for nearly 26 films. He made an immediate impact with his first directional venture Mullum Malarum (1978). Mahendran's next film Uthiripookkal, based on a short story written by Pudumaipithan, firmly established him as an important filmmaker in Tamil cinema. His Nenjathai Killathe won three National Film Awards including the award for the best regional film.

He has also acted in films during the latter part of his film career, including Kamaraj (2004), Theri (2016), Nimir (2018) and Petta (2019).

  1. ^ Bibekananda Ray; Naveen Joshi; India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Publications Division (1 January 2005). Conscience of the race: India's offbeat cinema. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 122. ISBN 978-81-230-1298-8. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Veteran writer, director Mahendran passes away". 3 April 2019. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  3. ^ "பாக்யராஜ் படத்தில் நடிக்கத் தயங்கினேன் – Actor Rajesh Chai With Chithra Part – 1". Touring Talkies. 20 September 2020. Relationship mentioned at 4:42. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "cinemanewstoday.com". Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2016.