Raju Sundaram

Biography:

Basuva Raju Sundaram is a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, known for his multifaceted contributions as a dance choreographer, actor, and director, primarily in Tamil and Telugu cinema. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in dance—son to the esteemed dancer Mugur Sundar and the elder brother of renowned choreographers Prabhu Deva and Nagendra Prasad—Sundaram initially began his career assisting his father before moving on to lead dance troupes. His work as a choreographer gained recognition, especially through his collaborations with acclaimed directors like Mani Ratnam and Shankar, handling dance sequences in various films, including Mani Ratnam’s “Thiruda Thiruda” and Shankar’s “Gentleman” and “Kadhalan.”

While primarily recognized for his choreography, Sundaram made notable forays into acting. He appeared in several films such as “Jeans” (1998), “I Love You Da” (2002), and “Quick Gun Murugun” (2009). His venture into a lead role in “I Love You Da” alongside actress Simran received mixed critical reviews, with observations that serious acting might not be his forte. Despite these acting endeavors, he largely gravitated back to his strength as a choreographer, occasionally taking on comedic roles in films like “Unnale Unnale” (2007), “Engeyum Kadhal” (2011), and the Telugu movie “Action 3D” (2013).

His prowess in choreography was acknowledged with the National Film Award for Best Choreography for his work on songs in films like “Janatha Garage” (2016) and “Maharshi” (2019), showcasing his continued influence and success in the industry.

Sundaram’s career showcases his versatility in both dancing and acting, with a significant impact in the South Indian film industry.

On the personal front, he married Vasanthi Sundaram in 2003, and the couple has two children, Shobha and Tharun H. Babu, born in 2005 and 2007, respectively.