A. Venkatesh is an Indian film director and actor working in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as an assistant, he directed his first film, Mahaprabhu, in 1996.
Career
Initially, he worked as an assistant to director K. Rajeshwar on Nyaya Tharasu (1989) and Idhaya Thamarai (1990). He assisted Pavithran on Vasanthakala Paravai (1991) and Suriyan (1992), then he was an associate director to director Shankar on Gentleman (1993) and Kaadhalan (1994). During the shooting of the film Kaadhalan, producer G. K. Reddy approached him to direct a film. In 1996, he made his directional debut through Mahaprabhu starring R. Sarathkumar, Sukanya and Vineetha. He has directed Vijay's movies including action film Selva (1996) and romance film Nilaave Vaa (1998). In 1999, he directed a drama film Pooparika Varugirom starring Sivaji Ganesan, Vikram Krishna and Malavika.
Following the death of director Thirupathisamy in 2001, Venkatesh was briefly announced as the new director of the film Velan featuring Vijay and Priyanka Chopra, but the project was later shelved.
He started directing action movies with Prashanth's Chocklet (2001), Vijay's hit film Bhagavathi (2002), and Silambarasan's Dum (2003) and Kuthu (2004). These were followed by Sarathkumar's Aai (2004), Chanakya (2005) and Arjun's Vathiyar (2006).
During 2008, Venkatesh worked simultaneously on six productions, which were at different stages of completion. The Arjun-starrer Durai (2008) and Arun Vijay's Malai Malai (2009) were released first, while Sundar C's Vaadaa (2010) and Bharath's Killadi (2015) had delayed releases. Two further films, Prashanth's Petrol and Sarathkumar's Imaya Malai, were subsequently shelved mid-production.
He has also acted in various Tamil movies, notably Angadi Theru (2010). Venkatesh returned after a two-and-a-half year break with Nethra (2019). The filmmaker says the delay was because he had to fulfil commitments as an actor before he could get back to the direction. The film is a psycho-thriller based on a true event which he was witness to at an airport in Canada.
Filmography
As director Year Film Notes 1996 Maha Prabhu Credited as A. Venkatesan Selvaa 1998 Nilaave Vaa 1999 Pooparika Varugirom 2001 Chocklet 2002 Bhagavathi 2003 Dum 2004 Kuthu Aai 2005 Chanakya 2006 Vathiyar 2008 Singakutty Durai 2009 Malai Malai 2010 Maanja Velu Vaadaa Vallakottai 2013 Summa Nachunu Irukku 2015 Killadi Sandamarutham Rombha Nallavan Da Nee 2019 Nethra 2024 Operation Laila Dhil Raja
As actor Year Film Role Notes1991 Vasanthakala Paravai 1992 Suriyan Telegram Office clerk 1994 Kaadhalan Cameo appearance in "Kadhalikum Pennin" song1998 Nilaave Vaa Christian who prays at Hindu temple 2010 Angaadi Theru Karungali 2011 Sattapadi Kutram Ekambaram Mahaan Kanakku Maths Teacher 2012 Paagan Mahalakshmi's father 2013 Azhagan Azhagi Rathinavel Naan Rajavaga Pogiren Isakkimuthu Annachi Summa Nachunu Irukku Gautham (Dato) 2014 Goli Soda Vanmathi's father 2015 Touring Talkies Doctor Anthology film; segment Love @ 75 Rombha Nallavan Da Nee Iravum Pagalum Varum Pallikoodam Pogamale Vijay's father Sivappu 2016 Pagiri Madhu's father Aandavan Kattalai Gandhi's brother-in-law Thodari Thangapandian 2017 Nisabdham a public prosecutor Kadugu an Inspector 2018 Onaaigal Jakkiradhai Chithappu Torchlight Thodraa 2019 Nethra an officer Asuran Viswanathan 2020 Nungambakkam Advocate Durai Alti 2022 Oh My Dog a moneylender Nadhi Laththi Inspector Gnanamuthu 2023 Rudhran Ethiraj Thuritham Priyamudan Priya 2024 Singappenney Dhil Raja 2025 Padai Thalaivan Aan Paavam Pollathathu Sakthi's father 2026 Sathyavan Savithiri Modha Rathri Velayudham
Web series YearProgram NameRoleNetworkNotes2020Triples Councillor ChelladuraiHotstar Debut Web Series2023Mr. ManaiviVedhanayagamSun TVDebut as an actor2024Goli Soda RisingVanmathi's fatherDisney+Hotstar
References
External links