Mahendran

J. Alexander (25 July 1939 – 2 April 2019), known professionally as Mahendran, was an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his work in the Tamil film industry. Mahendran is regarded as one of the greatest film makers of Indian cinema and has influenced several filmmakers of the generations that followed.

Mahendran entered the film industry as a screenwriter, writing scripts for nearly 26 films. He made an immediate impact with his first directional venture Mullum Malarum (1978). Mahendran's next film Uthiripookkal, based on a short story written by Pudumaipithan, firmly established him as an important filmmaker in Tamil cinema. His Nenjathai Killathe won three National Film Awards including the award for the best regional film.

He has also acted in films during the latter part of his film career, including Kamaraj (2004), Theri (2016), Nimir (2018) and Petta (2019).

Biography Mahendran was born on 25 July 1939 to Joseph Chelliah, a teacher and Manonmani. Mahendran did his schooling in Ilayangudi and completed his intermediate at American College, Madurai. After the success of the film he got more offers from the same banner and worked in films like Sabaash Thambi and Panakkara Pillai, both released in the subsequent years. He also worked as an actor in the films Kamaraj (2004), Theri (2016), and Nimir (2018).

Mahendran died on 2 April 2019, at the age of 79.

Awards

Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil – Mullum Malarum (1978) Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil – Uthiripookkal (1979) National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil – Nenjathai Killathe (1980) IIFA Utsavam Best Actor for Performance in a Negative Role – Theri (2016)

Filmography

As a film director

As a writer Year FilmCredited asNotes Story Screenplay Dialogues1966 Naam Moovar 1967 Sabash Thambi 1968 Panakkara Pillai 1969 Nirai Kudam 1972 Ganga 1974 Thirudi Thangapathakkam 1975 Nambikkai Natchathiram Vaazhnthu Kaattugiren Avalukku Aayiram Kangal 1976 Vazhvu En Pakkam Mogam Muppadhu Varusham 1977 Sonthamadi Nee Enakku Chakravarthy Sonnathai Seiven Aadu Puli Attam 1979 Pagalil Oru Iravu 1980 Challenge Ramudu Telugu film Rishi Moolam Kaali 1982 Hitler Umanath 1984 Anbulla Malare 1991 Thaiyalkaran 1992 Naangal 1999 Kallazhagar

As an actor