Sakthi Chidambaram

His real name is C. Dhinakaran. He first wrote the dialogues for the films Kottai Vaasal, Pokkiri Thambi, Pathavi Pramanam, Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru and Uzhiyan. Chidambaram made his directorial debut in 1997 with Samrat,starring Ramki, a remake of Hindi film Baazigar. In 1998, he directed the film Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu, starring Mansoor Ali Khan in the lead role. Both films were failures.[2]

After a gap, he changed his name and directed Ennamma Kannu with Sathyaraj. The film received mixed reviews and did well.[3] The success of the film prompted director and actor to reunite to make Mr. Narathar, but the project was shelved.[4] He then directed Lovely with Karthik.[5] His next directorial project, Charlie Chaplin, was a hit, and its success led to various remakes in other languages. His other projects, Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu and Kadhal Kirukkan, became box office disasters.

In 2004, he again collaborated with Sathyaraj with Maha Nadigan, a satire on cinema and politics.[6] The film faced controversy prior to its release for its mockery of Tamil actors and politicians. In late 2004, he agreed to collaborate with Sathyaraj again in a project titled Saddam Hussein, but the project did not continue.[7] In 2005, he briefly worked on the production of a film titled Pattasu with Sibiraj, Vikranth and Chaya Singh in the lead roles, but the film did not complete production.[8]

Sakthi again directed Sathyaraj in Englishkaran and Kovai Brothers, both successful.[9][10]

In 2012, Sakthi Chidambaram began work on a film titled Machan and immediately speculation arose that Namitha, who has appeared in several of the director's previous films as well as being closely associated with the title, would play a pivotal part in the film.[11] It was later announced that Siva Karthikeyan would play the lead role in the film alongside Dhansika, though the pair were later replaced by a new cast including Ramesh Aravind and comedians Vivek and Karunas.[12] Despite the release of a trailer and soundtrack, the film did not have a theatrical release.[13][14]

As director

As actor

As producer

Shakthi N Chidambaram has produced five films (Kovai Brothers, Viyabari, Sandai, Rajadhi Raja, Guru Sishyan) he directed under the Cinema Paradise banner owned by him, and has produced only one film, 2008's Pazhani which he did not direct.

As distributor

Shakthi N Chidambaramhas bought the Tamil Nadu rights for Kaavalan.[15]

Shakthi N Chidambaram lashed out at actress Suhasini for giving bad reviews of his film Rajadhi Raja.[16][17]