Thankar Bachan, alternatively Thangar Bachan, is an Indian film director and actor, cinematographer and novelist. He has served as a jury member in the National Film Awards.
Early life Thankar Bachan was born 5 May 1961 in Pathirakottai, a village near Panruti, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu.
Career Bachan started his career as a cinematographer in his debut film Malai Charal. He was known for his work in Mogamul and Bharathi. He made his directorial debut in Azhagi.
Apart from his work in films, he occasionally wrote literary works. His novels include Onbathu Roobai Nottu and Ammavin Kai Pesi, both of which he later adapted into films that he directed himself.
Thangar Bachan was known for his contribution in portraying North Tamil Nadu villages, which were not depicted in Tamil cinema properly. His story plots were set mostly in Panruti and surrounding villages. After Bharathiraja, villages were best portrayed in Thangar Bachan movies. Bharathiraja himself declared that after him Bachan directs the best village films.
He was the Pattali Makkal Katchi candidate for the Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 Indian general election, in which he came in third place and lost.
Filmography
As director Year Title Notes2002 Azhagi Solla Marandha Kadhai 2004 Thendral 2005 Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy Also producer2007 Pallikkoodam Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director Onbadhu Roobai Nottu 2012 Ammavin Kaipesi Also producer 2017 Kalavaadiya Pozhuthugal 2023Karumegangal Kalaigindrana
As cinematographer only
Year Title Notes 1990 Malai Charal 1992 Madhumathi 1993 Dharma Seelan Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan 1994 Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji Malayalam film 1995 Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru 1996 Vaanmathi Vaazhga Jananayagam Karuvelam Pookkal Kadhal Kottai 1997 Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga 1998 Kaadhale Nimmadhi Sirf Tum Hindi film Marumalarchi 1999 Kannedhirey Thondrinal Kanave Kalaiyadhe Kallazhagar Unnudan 2000 Bharathi Kannukku Kannaga James Pandu 2001 Kutti Pandavar Bhoomi 2007 Periyar
As actor Year Title Role Notes 2005 Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy Elangovan 2007 Pallikkoodam Kumarasamy 2012 Ammavin Kaipesi Prasad 2018 Merlin 2023 Karumegangal Kalaigindrana Public prosecutor Cameo appearance
As presenter Peranbum Perungobamum (2025)
Bibliography
Novels Onbathu Roobai Nottu novel, 1996. Ammavin Kai Pesi, 2009
Short story collections Vellai Maadu, 1993 Kodi Munthiri, 2002 Isaikaatha Isaithattu, 2006 Thangar Bachan Kathaigal Solla Thonuthu- A collection of 50 articles published in Tamil Hindu daily news paper- 2015
Awards
1993 – Lilli Deivasigamani Memorial Award for Best Short Story Collection (Vellai Maadu) 1996 – Tamil Nadu Government's Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu) 1996 – Agni Akshara Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu) 1996 – Thiruppur Tamil Sangam Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu) 1997 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer (Film – Kaalamellam Kadhal Vazhga) 1998 – "Kalaimamani" Award – awarded by the Government of Tamil Nadu for Contributions in Tamil cinema 2002 – GV SICA Award for Best Director (Film – Azhagi) 2005 – Jaya TV Award for Best Actor (Film – Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy) 2007 – Tamil Nadu State Raja Sando Award for Contribution in Film direction 2007 – Santhome Communication Award for Best Director (Film – Onbadhu Roobai Nottu) 2007 – Sathyan Memorial Film Award for Best Director (Tamil) (Film – Pallikoodam) 2007 – GV SICA Award for Best Story Dialogues (Film – Pallikoodamm) 2007 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director for Pallikoodamm) 2015 – S. P. Adithanar Literary Award for "Thankar Bachan Kathaigal" - A Short Story Collection.
References
External links
Official website Interview to TamilAustralian