Velraj

Biography:

Indian filmmaker, writer, and cinematographer Rajamani Velraj mainly works in Tamil and Hindi movies. In addition to directing Velaiilla Pattadhari and Thanga Magan, he is highly recognized for his camera work in movies like Asuran, Aadukalam, Vada Chennai, Kadaikutty Singam, and Komban.

In the Tamil Nadu village of Kootthiyar Kundu, close to Madurai, Rajamani Velraj was born. He attended Madurai Sourastra College and PKN Boys Higher Secondary School in Tirumangalam. He began his career assisting renowned cinematographer Tirru on a number of Tamil movies. Following their collaboration on Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Dhanush suggested Velraj for his upcoming film, Polladhavan, which was helmed by rookie Vetrimaaran. In 2008, he was named the Best Cinematographer Vijay Award winner.

After Aadukalam, Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued to collaborate on films, including their most recent picture, Viduthalai Part 1. Velaiilla Pattadhari, which starred Dhanush and Amala Paul and had Anirudh as the music director, marked his directorial debut. The movie became a cult classic after being incredibly successful. He directed Thanga Magan, his second movie, in 2015. The Indian Society of Cinematographers counts Velraj among its members.