Chithra Lakshmanan

Lakshmanan Ramasamy (born 23 January 1948), known professionally as Chitra Lakshmanan, is an Indian journalist, filmmaker and actor. He produced and directed several Tamil language films starring some of Tamil cinema's major stars during the 1980s and 1990s, while appearing in numerous films and television series in supporting roles. He currently operates the YouTube channel Touring Talkies, which features Tamil cinema related interviews and discussions.

Career

Lakshmanan began working in a hardware shop in Arani. He later joined the magazine Vidhi Velli as a sub-editor until its closure. He later joined Thayin Manikodi run by Jayakanthan. He later joined a Singaporean Tamil magazine. After its failure, he decided to start his own magazine Thirai Kathir which became successful. His career in entertainment journalism helped him to also become a public relations officer.

He became acquainted with director Bharathiraja to enter the film industry, and subsequently served as a co-producer on all his films with Lakshmanan's brother, Ramu. In 1983, he produced Mann Vasanai under Gayathri Films, which won commercial success as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Film. He also served as a press relations officer for Tamil films during the 1980s, and later reprised that role as an actor through Uttama Villain (2015). His first directorial venture was Soora Samhaaram (1988) with Kamal Haasan and later he directed Periya Thambi (1997) with Prabhu and Chinna Raja (1999) with Karthik in the lead role. He turned actor in Japanil Kalyanaraman (1985) and began to prioritise acting commitments in the 2000s, winning acclaim for his comedy roles in Boss Engira Bhaskaran (Nene Ambhani) (2010) and Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013).

Throughout his career, Lakshmanan has also taken up posts of responsibility. He served as the Secretary of Tamil Film Producers Council for four years and as an executive committee member in South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, Film Federation of India, and Tamil Film Directors Association for several years. In 2011, he published the book 80 Years of Tamil Cinema, an account documenting the history of Tamil cinema.

Filmography

As producer YearFilmNotes 1983 Mann Vasanai 1984 Ambigai Neril Vanthaal Vaazhkai 1985 Puthiya Theerppu 1987 Jallikattu 1989 Chinnappadass

As director and producer YearFilmNotes 1988 Soora Samhaaram 1997 Periya Thambi 1999 Chinna Raja

As writer

As actor Films Year Film Role Notes 1984 Pudhumai Penn Dhavani Kanavugal Guest appearance 1985 Japanil Kalyanaraman Guide Munusamy Puthiya Theerppu Murali 1986 Neethana Antha Kuyil 1987 Jallikattu Dharmaraj 1987 Poo Poova Poothirukku Narayanan 1997 Periya Thambi 1999 Chinna Raja Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum Ramalingam Guest appearance 2001 Ullam Kollai Poguthae Jyothi's father Azhagana Naatkal 2002 Kadhal Virus Guest appearance Unnai Ninaithu Vaidyalingam 2004 Bose Kangalal Kaidhu Sei Subramaniam Vasool Raja MBBS Dr. Kalidas 2006 Unarchigal Balaji's father Guest appearance Pachchak Kuthira The mayor's personal assistant Kusthi 2007 Piragu Film Producer 2008 Vaitheeswaran Dhanasekaran's Henchman Bommalattam Makeup man 2010 Boss Engira Bhaskaran Shanmugasundaram 2011 Sadhurangam 2012 Saguni Boopathi's sidekick 2013 Settai Murugaraj Isakki Devarajan Pattathu Yaanai Inspector Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru Kunchithapadam Arya Surya Ya Ya Kanaka's father Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham Kovai Kamaraj 2014 Ninaithathu Yaaro Nimirndhu Nil Judge Chitra Lakshmanan Aranmanai Maya's father 2015 Janda Pai Kapiraju Judge Lakshmanan Telugu filmNannbenda Hotel Manager Uttama Villain PRO Lakshmanan Sakalakala Vallavan Shakthi's Uncle 2016 Aranmanai 2 Anitha and Ravi's father 2016 Pokkiri Raja Dr. Kothandam Vaaliba Raja Chithra Lakshmanan Muthina Kathirika Politician Vellikizhamai 13am Thethi Raasathi's father 2017 Kattappava Kanom Jayagopal Ullam Ullavarai 2018 Vidhi Madhi Ultaa Divya's father Nagesh Thiraiyarangam Pundek Itly Bank Manager 2021 Dikkiloona L. Gopal, Priya's father 2022 Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal Rambo's fake father 2023 Kannai Nambathey Divya's father 2024 Dear Doctor Vaagai 2025 Kuzhanthaigal Munnetra Kazhagam Otha Votu Muthaiya Periyappa Enai Sudum Pani Thangaraj Thalaivan Thalaivii Senior politician 2026 TN 2026 Film Producer Karuppu Tamil Legislative Assembly speaker Uncredited role

Television

Voice actor Year Title Actor Character Notes2017VasukiS. N. SwamySwamyDubbed version of Malayalam film Puthiya Niyamam