Birthday:
07-25-1939
Deathday:
04-02-2019 (79 years)
Birthplace:
Ilaiyangudi, Madras Presidency, British India
Biography
J. Alexander, known professionally as Mahendran, was an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his work in the Tamil film industry. Mahendran is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Tamil cinema and has influenced numerous filmmakers, writers and actors after him. After entering the film industry as a screenwriter, writing scripts for nearly 26 films, including the widely influential Thangappathakkam (1974), he made an immediate impact with his first directional venture Mullum Malarum (1978), starring Rajinikanth. Uthiripookkal (1979), Mahendran's next film, was based on a short story written by Pudumaipithan, and firmly established him as an important filmmaker in Tamil cinema. His subsequent works, such as Johnny (1980) and Nenjathai Killathe (1980), were acclaimed, with the latter winning three National Film Awards including the award for the Best Regional Film.
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Their works
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Theri
Act like Minister Vanamamalai
event2016 star_border 6.7
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When an honest cop, Vijay Kumar's family is ruthlessly slaughtered by a politician and his aides, he decides to change his identity and commits his life to bring his daughter up in a serene atmosphere. But some freak events end up compromising his identity and what he does to save his daughter and avenge the death of his family unfurls as Theri.
Nimir
Act like National Shanmugam
event2018 star_border 6.3
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An amiable photographer in a small-town, who is nursing a breakup, unwittingly becomes embroiled in a street brawl that turns him into a man obsessed with revenge.
Katamarayudu
Act like Yelasari Bhanu's Father
event2017 star_border 5.4
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A violent man Rayudu tries to redeem himself to impress the love of his life, until he gets pushed into a situation that forces him to act.
Seethakathi
Act like Judge
event2018 star_border 7.5
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A veteran theatre artist who lives for his art 'enters' the world of films. Can the film industry hold on to his inimitable artistry?
Mr. Chandramouli
Act like Azhagar
event2018 star_border 4.2
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Raghav, a professional boxer, finds himself in a fix when an unexpected turn of events gets him tangled in a battle between his passion, family and the love of his life.
Pon Manickavel
event2021 star_border 4
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A cop tasked with investigating the murder of a judge finds out that a businessman might be the key to cracking the case.
Ninaithathu Yaaro
Act like Special Appearance
event2014 star_border 3
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A director changes the perception of love for a group of youngsters by narrating how he reclaimed his life because of his now-married lover and her understanding husband.
Petta
Act like Rajapandi
event2019 star_border 7.1
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A hostel warden becomes the target of a dreaded politician and his gangster son, but little do they realise that it is they who should fear him.
Boomerang
Act like Self
event2019 star_border 5.2
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A guy who gets a face transplant done, following a fire accident, realises many are after his life. He sets out to find the reason for the same.
Rustum
event2019 star_border 5
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The disappearance of an honest IAS officer leads to his family seeking help from police, but to no avail. To their assistance arrives Abhishek, someone who happens to be there for them in times of need. But why does he want to help them? What is his real identity?
Kamaraj
Act like K. Rajaram
event2004 star_border 5
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The film is a biographical sketch of the former Chief Minister of the then Madras State and the All-India Congress Committee secretary and a respected national figure. The film starts with the young age of Kamaraj and ends with the funeral procession of the leader.
Kombu Vatcha Singamda
Act like Deivendran
event2022 star_border 7
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Six friends, who follow Periyaar's ideologies, fall prey to the local caste politics that happens in their hometown. Who is the reason behind this and what happens after?
Kaali
Screenplay
event1980 star_border 5.2
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After being released from jail, Kaali is in search of Raja Rao, a rich businessman who is responsible for the death of his family members.
Hitler Umanath
Story
event1982
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A mild and timid man is made fun of for his resemblance to Hitler. However, the man soon starts growing in confidence and transforms himself into a charismatic leader.
Kondaveeti Simham
Original Story
event1981 star_border 7.3
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A policeman attempts to discipline his rebellious son, but his efforts go in vain as his son starts resenting him.
Azhagiya Kanne
Story
event1982
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Azhagiya Kanne is a 1982 Tamil-language film written and directed by J. Mahendran. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Thanga Padhakkam
Story
event1974 star_border 7.4
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S. P. Choudhry, a respected police officer, arrests his son after he becomes rebellious and indulges in unethical activities creating nuisance in the society.
Johnny
Story
event1980 star_border 5.4
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Johnny loves Archana, a singer, but their lives are disrupted when Johnny's lookalike kills his lover for infidelity and tries to pin the blame on Johnny. He also takes refuge in Archana's house.
Farz Aur Kanoon
Original Story
event1982
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Ranjit Kumar, a police officer, spends his entire life protecting and upholding the law honestly. His only son, however, indulges in unlawful activities.
Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu
Screenplay
event1986
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Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu is a 1986 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by J. Mahendran, starring Bhanumathi and Sujatha in lead roles.
Kallazhagar
Dialogue
event1999
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Kallazhagar is a 1999 Tamil film directed by Bharathi featuring Vijaykanth and Laila in the lead roles.
Rishi Moolam
Story
event1980 star_border 7
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Shivaji and Vijaya are husband and wife. Vijaya is a woman of principles and holds high moral values. One day, she comes to know that Shivaji is a thief, which is why she parts with him.
Oor Panchayathu
Story
event1992
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Siva is the foster son of a respectable village elder. The village elder wishes to get his granddaughter married to Siva. But Siva incurs the wrath of the village elder's son-in-law when the villagers unanimously elect him head of the village panchayat. The anger turns into suspicion when Siva gives shelter to a woman named Thamarai and her new-born baby. Siva's kindness is misinterpreted, and even his lover shuns him.
Mullum Malarum
Director
event1978 star_border 8.5
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A young man, Kaali and his sister, Valli, who were orphaned as children, share a close bond. However, their relationship gets strained as Kaali butts heads with a newly appointed engineer from the city.
Nenjathai Killathe
Director
event1980
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Lovers Viji and Ram are separated when Viji is forced to marry her relative, Pratap. As she constantly ignores Pratap, he decides to leave her. Her life takes a turn when she meets Ram again.
Seethamma Pelli
Original Story
event1984
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Kali, a locomotive trolley driver, and Murali, an engineer, are not in good terms. When Kali loses a hand in an accident, he unleashes his anger on Murali.
Uthiripookkal
Dialogue
event1979 star_border 5.7
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Sundaravadivelu is a wealthy, sadistic and authoritative man who disregards and manipulates everyone within his reach. Through his ruthless deeds, he makes life miserable for everyone in his village, including his ailing wife and two children.
Metti
Screenplay
event1982
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A young man separated from his family during childhood tries to reconcile with them. He decides to get his sisters married off, despite the poverty.
Pagalil Oru Iravu
Screenplay
event1979
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Rajee, a doctor, sacrifices her love for her cousin Vinod after she realizes that he is in love with Bindhu. When Bindhu has a miscarriage, Vinod learns that she is suffering from retrograde hysteria.
Kai Kodukkum Kai
Director
event1984 star_border 6.1
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Veer marries a blind girl and is disowned by his brother. He rents a room and takes care of his wife. He decides to share the room with a handicapped youth who has a secret agenda of his own.
Sasanam
Director
event2006
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Muthiah and his wife Visalakshi are a loving couple, and they come across Saroji who with no one to go for, takes refuge in Muthiah's house. Muthiah and Saroji develop soft corner towards each other. The rest is what transpires between the trio, exploring the nuances of an extra-marital affair.
Nirai Kudam
Story
event1969
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Nirai Kudam (Full Pitcher) is a 1969 Indian Tamil film, directed by Muktha Srinivasan and produced by V. Ramasamy under Muktha Films banner. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Vanisree in the lead roles, and had musical score by V. Kumar.
Poottaatha Poottukkal
Director
event1980
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Fissures occur in a married couple's relationship when they are unable to conceive a child. The wife is later enamoured by a young man who gives her attention. What happens next forms the rest of the story.
Nandu
Director
event1981
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Unable to get along with his father who compels him to marry a girl of his choice, Ramkumar Sharma leaves for Madras.
Naangal
Dialogue
event1992
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Two competing police officers, Keerthi and Naveen, try to outdo each other while investigating a roadside murder. Things get complicated and the officers take each other to court.
Mogam Muppadhu Varusham
Screenplay
event1976
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A young man, Ramesh (Kamal Haasan), returns from overseas. He arranges a marriage with Kasthuri (Sumithra), and marries her. In a sub-plot, Ramesh's secretary Menaka (Fatafat Jayalakshmi) marries Ravisankar (Vijayakumar), an artist, at nearly the same time. The spouses in each pairing are very different from each other, and have great problems understanding each other. This movie explores whether either pair can make a good marriage together.
Aadu Puli Attam
Story
event1977 star_border 4.5
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Madan dreams of joining the police force but falls into bad company with Rajni. Eventually, he realises that his associates need to be caught, so he joins the police force to nab them.
Enippadigal
Dialogue
event1979 star_border 7
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Chella Kannu, a young sweeper becomes a popular movie star known as Kamala Devi. Her lover and fellow sweeper Manickam is the ladder of her success, but the villainy of her brother separates them.
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