S. A. Chandrasekhar

Biography:

S. A. Chandrasekar, an accomplished Indian filmmaker, is primarily associated with the Tamil film industry, often referred to as Kollywood. He made his directorial debut in 1978 with “Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhanthai” and achieved significant recognition with the release of “Sattam Oru Iruttarai” in 1981. Known for directing films that address social issues, Chandrasekar has an extensive filmography, having directed over 70 movies in various South Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.

Born in Thangachimadam, Tamil Nadu, into a Christian Vellalar family, Chandrasekar’s family has had connections to the entertainment industry. His son, Vijay, is a leading actor in Tamil cinema, while his brother-in-law, S. N. Surendar, is a well-known playback singer and voice artist. Chandrasekar’s nephew, Vikranth, also pursued a career in acting.

Throughout his career, Chandrasekar directed numerous successful films, collaborating with notable actors like Vijayakanth and Vijay. He introduced Vijay to the industry and directed several films during Vijay’s early years. Some of his notable movies include “Naan Sigappu Manithan,” “Deva,” “Rasigan,” and “Nenjirukkum Varai.” In the early 2000s, he shifted his focus to business interests, including hotel construction.

Chandrasekar made a return to filmmaking, directing his 70th film, “Capmaari,” in 2019. Notably, he also ventured into acting, playing lead roles in films like “Touring Talkies” (2015) and directed a biopic on social activist Traffic Ramasamy in 2018. However, he faced controversy for remarks made at a music launch event in 2018, leading to a police case related to alleged religious sentiments being hurt.