Mohan Raja
Mohan Raja | |
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Occupations |
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Years active | 2001–present |
Parent |
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Relatives | Jayam Ravi (brother) |
Mohan Raja is an Indian film director and screenwriter who primarily works in Tamil and Telugu film industries. After making his debut in the
Career
2001–2004: Early career and initial success
As a result of his father senior
Raja then worked with his father and brother on the production of
2006–2010: Further remakes
Raja did not sign on to make any further films, while Ravi experienced two consecutive box office failures after the success of their last collaboration. Subsequently, the duo came together for another home production titled
Raja next began work on the family drama film
2010–2015: Mixed success
After five consecutive successful films, Raja chose to remake the Telugu comedy film,
In late 2009, Raja agreed terms to work with actor
2015–present: Thani Oruvan (2015) and recent work
After taking a sabbatical, Raja began working on his first original script for the production house AGS Entertainment in late 2012 and was helped by the writer duo Subha. He worked on the script of Thani Oruvan (2015) for nine months, and revealed that it was based on an original idea about "a man who goes all out to hunt evil in society". He added that in "formulaic Tamil films", the protagonist would require a flashback to show a reason to fight evil or that the "hero would wait for the villain to make the first move", but noted that Thani Oruvan would eschew those typical notions seen in Tamil films.[38] He considered several actors for the lead role but finally chose Jayam Ravi again as he wanted an actor "who would trust him blindly" because he had wanted the film to be a "career-changing film". After unsuccessful negotiations with Arya and Madhavan, Raja cast Arvind Swamy in the role of the main antagonist because he wanted "an actor whose attractiveness would act as a distraction from his evilness".[38] Raja called the film "experimental" and "close to his heart", revealing the efforts he put into the pre-production of the project. The film began production in late 2013 and took a year and a half to complete shoot, with several delays during production. The making of the film was marred with the troubles of the original composer backing out, Sun Pictures cancelling their film distribution contract and a spat between the director and the lead actress, Nayanthara. As a result of the delays, Raja and Ravi decided to forgo their salaries for the last schedule to ensure the budget stopped escalating.[39] The film opened in August 2015 to unanimously positive reviews, with Rediff.com noting that the script was "highly intelligent, racy and well-polished script that is perfectly executed" and added it has "flawless execution by the director that deserves all the credit".[40] Likewise Sify.com called the film a "taut, intelligent, and deliciously twisted action drama", while The Times of India praised the "sleek filmmaking".[41] The Hindu stated the film was a "pretty smart, pulpy thriller" and wrote it has "more style than you expect in a Mohan Raja movie".[42] The film subsequently went on to become one of the most profitable Tamil films of 2015, as well as the biggest successes in the careers of Raja and Ravi.[43] Raja then directed another film, titled Velaikkaran starring Sivakarthikeyan, Nayanthara and Fahadh Faasil in the lead roles. This film, being his second original film after Thani Oruvan, was released on 22 December 2017 was a box office success. Mohan Raja returned to remakes with the Telugu remake of the Malayalam film Lucifer (2019) titled Godfather which was released on 5 October 2022.[44][45]
Style of work
Raja has mostly worked on Tamil remakes of Telugu films, leading to the media nicknaming him "Remake Raja" or "Xerox Raja".[22] He has stated, "Remakes aren't easy. Taking up a proven hit and making it succeed again is a challenge."[1] While other filmmakers in Tamil cinema have often taken to plagiarism without acknowledging the source material, Raja has only worked on officially approved remake projects and his first six directed films were credited to other writers.[22] He works with his team of assistants to blend in changes to the script to suit the culture of Tamil audiences, and thrashes out every single shot from the original version to add or subtract sequences. Raja has been praised for his casting decisions for putting Nadhiya in a comeback role as a young mother in M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi and for casting Asin as the film's heroine. Meanwhile, he gave Prabhu a supporting role as a brother in Unakkum Enakkum, marking an early foray away from lead roles for Prabhu which won him acclaim from critics.[1] Likewise, his decision to cast Arvind Swamy as an antagonist in Thani Oruvan, because of his "attractiveness" also received acclaim, following the film's success.[38]
Raja has often attempted to make films for family entertainment, and revealed that progressively since Jayam, he has attempted to reduce scenes of glamour and vulgarity. He has also stated his intentions of appealing to all sectors of the audience and has revealed that films such as Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986) and Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997) are amongst the types of films that he aspires to make.[46]
Filmography
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
- All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
As director
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2001 | Hanuman Junction | Telugu film; Remake of Thenkasipattanam |
2003 | Jayam | Remake of Telugu film with the same name |
2004 | M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi | Remake of Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi; Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil |
2006 | Unakkum Enakkum | Remake of Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana |
2008 | Santosh Subramaniam | Remake of Bommarillu; Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Third prize); Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil |
2010 | Thillalangadi | Remake of Kick |
2011 | Velayudham | Loosely based on the 2000 Telugu film Azad |
2015 | Thani Oruvan | Won— |
2017 | Velaikkaran | |
2022 | Godfather | Telugu film; Remake of Lucifer |
2024 | Thani Oruvan 2 |
As actor
Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Enna Satham Indha Neram | Raja | |
2023 | Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir | Vincent | [47] |
References
- ^ a b c "Raja of remakes". The Hindu. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Telugu Cinema – Research – Analysis – Telugu cinema in first half of 2002 – Aadi, Hanuman Junction, Santosham, Jayam, Lahiri". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "Telugu Cinema – Review – Hanuman Junction – Jagapathi Babu, Arjun, Venu, Laya, Sneha & Vijaya Lakshmi – Raja – Editor Mohan". Idlebrain.com. 21 December 2001. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Jayam". The Hindu. 27 June 2003. Archived from the original on 28 October 2003. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Tamil heroes: Generation Next!". rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "<!-#echo var="stitle" -> – Cinema scidhigal – It's All About movie". Kollywood.allindiansite.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Entertainment / Film Review : M. Kumaran Son of". The Hindu. 8 October 2004. Archived from the original on 22 November 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ ""M.Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi" – Review". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "rediff.com: The Best Tamil Films, 2004". Specials.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Metro Plus Coimbatore / Personality : The family 'connection'". The Hindu. 25 October 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Something..Something: Will it work?". Rediff.com. 31 December 2004. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Will it be a success story in Tamil? – CHEN". The Hindu. 14 April 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Something Something Review – Finally Jeyam Ravi had got his another break and Trisha is all set to rule again!!". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Review : Something Something Unakkum Enakkum". Sify. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "From London with love – Unakkum Enakkum – CHEN". The Hindu. 28 July 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Success begins at home – MADS". The Hindu. 8 September 2006. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Raja to direct 'Lage Raho' remake!". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "M.Raja – A quick chat". Sify. 29 April 2008. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Review : Santhosh Subramaniam". Sify. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "The 'Jayam' jamboree – Santosh Subramaniam – CHEN". The Hindu. 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Santhosh Subramaniyam 100 days and going strong – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz.com. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ a b c "Cracking the bro code". The Hindu. 25 July 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Editor Mohan bags Kick Tamil rights!! – Telugu Movie News". IndiaGlitz.com. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 8 June 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Jayam Ravi's Thillalangadi starts rolling!". Sify. Archived from the original on 19 January 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ Comedy of errors Archived 29 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. The Hindu (30 July 2010)
- ^ Review-3 Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Movies.rediff.com (23 July 2010). Retrieved on 2016-12-26.
- ^ "Thillalangadi Review – Tamil Movie Thillalangadi Review". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "TOP 20 CHENNAI BOX OFFICE COLLECTION OF 2010 – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Movie Slide Shows – Endhiran | Nandalala | Myna | Singam | Paiyaa | Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa | Naan Mahaan Alla | Uthama Puthiran | Angadi Theru". Behindwoods.com. 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "'Jeyam' Raja looks beyond remakes – TAMIL NADU". The Hindu. 15 July 2010. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Velayudham is a mass entertainer: M Raja". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Raja: Velayudham is not a remake' – Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 24 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "The V quotient – Puducherry". The Hindu. 9 October 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Velayudham Review – Velayudham Movie Review". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Review: Velayudham is paisa vasool – Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 26 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Akki in Raja's film?". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Jayam Raja Gets A.r.murugadoss' Film – Jayam Raja – Ar Murugadoss – Ramana – Akshay Kumar – Vijayakanth – Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. 13 August 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Director Jayam Raja turns actor". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ a b c "Thani Oruvan Is Neither Remake Nor 'Freemake': The M Raja Interview". Silverscreen.in. 25 August 2015. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "'Thani Oruvan – Reasons why Jayam Raja and Ravi emotionally broke down' Tamil Movie, Music Reviews and News". Moviecrow.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Review: Thani Oruvan is brilliant – Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Thani Oruvan Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 29 August 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Thani Oruvan review: Jayam Ravi in a pretty smart, pulpy thriller". The Hindu. 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "'Thani Oruvan' is 'biggest hit' in Jayam Ravi's career". The Indian Express. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Chiranjeevi's next with Jayam Mohan Raja launched". The Indian Express. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ "Mohan Raja to direct Lucifer Telugu remake starring Chiranjeevi". Hindustan Times. 25 November 2020. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Jayam Raja – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Movie Directors Interview – Jayam M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi Something Something Santosh Subramanian". Behindwoods.com. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ Krishnaswamy, Karthik (22 November 2019). "Mohan Raja to make a special cameo appearance in Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir". Only Kollywood. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
External links
- Mohan Raja at IMDb
- MOhan Raja on Twitter