Introduction
R. Velraj is an Indian Cinematographer , director and writer who primarily works in Tamil, Hindi cinema. He is well known for his camera works in rural subjects and also movies like Asuran,Vellai Illa Pattadhari, Aadukalam,Vada Chennai ,Kadaikutty Singam, Komban,Engayum Epothum ,Power PandiEtc:
Personal life
Rajamani Velraj was born in a village called Koothiyar Kundu near Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He did his school in PKN Boys Higher Secondary School (Tirumangalam), and college in Madurai Sourastra College. Married and have two sons
Career
At his early stage, he was associated with cinematographer Tirru and worked in several Tamil films as assistant cinematographers likeAalavandhan etc., After working with actor Dhanush in Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film polladhavan directed by Vetrimaran . He won the Vijay awards : Best cinematographer in 2007 and after that he even worked in Aadukalam for which he got several awards . His first directional debut was Vellai Illa Pattadhari in which Dhanush and Amala Paul did the lead role and followed by Anirudh as the music director . It was a huge success of the year . Velraj won several awards for best debut director . He haveworked mainly in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi films including Polladhavan, Aadukalam, Kandahar and Engeyum Eppodhum.
Awards
- 2007- Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer for Pollathavan
- 2011- Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Aadukalam.
- 2011- SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer for Aadukalam
- 2014-SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director for Velaiyilla Pattathari