Rajamani Velraj is an Indian cinematographer, director and writer who primarily works in Tamil and Hindi cinema. He is known for his long-standing collaborations with Vetrimaaran and M. Muthaiah.
Personal life Rajamani Velraj was born in the village Kootthiyar Kundu near Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He went to PKN Boys Higher Secondary School (Tirumangalam), and studied at Madurai Sourastra College.
Career Early in his career, he worked as an assistant to cinematographer Tirru in several Tamil films. After working with actor Dhanush in Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film, Polladhavan, directed by then debutant, Vetrimaaran. He won the Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer in 2008. Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, from Aadukalam to their most recent film, Viduthalai Part 1 (2023). He made his directional debut with Velaiilla Pattadhari, starring Dhanush and Amala Paul and with Anirudh as the music director. The film was extremely successful and became a cult film. In 2015, he directed his second film, Thanga Magan. Velraj is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers.
Filmography As cinematographer Year Title Language Notes2003 Supari Hindi2006 Phir Hera Pheri 2007 Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram Tamil Polladhavan 2008 Kabhi Bhi Kahin Bhi Hindi Malabar Wedding Malayalam2010 Kandahar Collaborated with Ravi Varman2011 Aadukalam Tamil (Cameo appearance) Siruthai Engeyum Eppodhum Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer2012 3 Savaari Kannada Leelai Tamil 2013 Naan Rajavaga Pogiren Ethir Neechal Udhayam NH4 Naiyaandi 2014 Velaiyilla Pattathari (Cameo appearance) Poriyaalan (Cameo appearance)2015 Komban (Cameo appearance) Vai Raja Vai Paayum Puli (Cameo appearance)Thanga Magan (Cameo appearance)2016Pugazh (Cameo appearance) Marudhu 2017Power Paandi (Cameo appearance)2018Kadaikutty Singam (Cameo appearance)Vada Chennai (Cameo appearance)2019Dev Asuran (Cameo appearance) Sangathamizhan 2021 Pulikkuthi Pandi Udanpirappe 2022 Veerapandiyapuram The LegendAnel Meley Pani ThuliPettaikaaliTV series on AhaKuttram Kuttrame2023Viduthalai Part 1Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam2024 Viduthalai Part 2 (Cameo appearance)2025SingleTeluguPhoenixTamil2026ArasanFilming
As director Year Title Language Notes2014 Velaiilla Pattadhari Tamil Winner, Edison Award for Best Debut DirectorNominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Cameo as Traffic Police2015 Thanga Magan Cameo as Ramalingam
As actor Aadukalam (2011) as police inspector Poriyaalan (2014) Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014) Komban (2015) Paayum Puli (2015) Thanga Magan (2015) Ithu Namma Aalu (2016) Pugazh (2016) Pa. Pandi (2017) Kadaikutty Singam (2018) Vada Chennai (2018) Kaalidas (2019) Asuran (2019) Udanpirappe (2021) Kuttram Kuttrame (2022) Viduthalai Part 1(2023) Viduthalai Part 2 (2024)
Awards Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer for Pollathavan (2007) Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Aadukalam (2011) SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer for Aadukalam (2011) SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director for Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014) SIIMA Award for Best cinematographer for Asuran (2019) Vikatan Cinema Awards for Best cinematographer for Viduthalai Part 1 (2023) Tamil Nadu State Film Award : Best Cinematographer (2018) for Vada Chennai & Kadaikutty Singam.
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