Viswanathan Ravichandran

Viswanathan Ravichandran (also known as Venu Ravichandran) is an Indian film producer and film distributor in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is the founder and owner of the production and distribution company, Aascar Films Pvt. Ltd, previously known as Oscar Films. Ravichandran started his venture in 1998 with the co-production of Kadhalukku Mariyadhai. He went on to produce many large-scale Tamil language films and distribute a number of English films across South India.

Early life He was born in Vellore and completed his graduation from Voorhees College, Vellore. His brothers own smaller production companies, Celebrity Pictures and Viswas Pictures. He started distributing films since he was 16 years old as he was the son of a leading distributor in Vellore.

Career Prior to making his name as a film producer, Ravichandran had been a leading film distributor in Tamil cinema since the late 1970s and gained attention through the distribution of Jackie Chan films across Tamil Nadu. Ravichandran made his debut as a producer in cinema through Fazil's romantic drama film Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), which he co-produced with Sangili Murugan. Though Fazil offered him the opportunity to produce the Malayalam version of the film first, Ravichandran refused because he wanted his first venture to be in Tamil. The film went on to become one of the most successful films of the year, while his second venture, Vikraman's family drama Vaanathaippola (2000), received similar commercial success. The team also subsequently held a grand audio launch event with Arnold Schwarzenegger being brought in as chief guest for the event, and I released shortly after, becoming a profitable venture.

In the media Ravichandran actively avoids being photographed and prefers to remain incognito at the promotional events of his films. In an interview with Behindwoods, he revealed that there were no photographers at his wedding and that in family photos, only his wife would appear with his children.

Filmography Production Year Title Language Notes1997 Kadhalukku Mariyadhai Tamil Co-producer 2000 Vanathai Pola Tamil 2001 Poovellam Un Vasam Tamil 2002 Ezhumalai Tamil Roja Kootam Tamil Ramana Tamil En Mana Vaanil Tamil 2003 Jay Jay Tamil Manasellam Tamil 2004 Thendral Tamil 2005 Anniyan Tamil 2006 Parijatham Tamil Thalai Nagaram Tamil Dishyum Tamil Rendu Tamil 2007 Marudhamalai Tamil Unnale Unnale Tamil Pachaikili Muthucharam Tamil 2008 Dasavathaaram Tamil Vaaranam Aayiram Tamil 2009 Ananda Tandavam Tamil 2011 Leelai Tamil Lucky Jokers Malayalam Velayudham Tamil 2013 Maryan Tamil 2014 Vallinam Tamil Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah Tamil 2015 I Tamil Bhooloham Tamil 2018 Vishwaroopam IIVishwaroop II TamilHindi Co-producer

Distribution