Kothanda Ramaiah

Keyaar
Born	Kothanda Ramaiah aka K R (1953-01-01) 1 January 1953[1] Chennai
Other names	Keyaar
Occupation	Film director, producer, distributor, exhibitor, media personality
Years active	1975–present
Religion	Hinduism
Spouse(s)	Indira

Kothanda Ramaiah (also credited as KR) is an Indian film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He was heading various positions in different organizations in the Film Industry.^[2][3]

Career

KR pursued film processing course at Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972.^[1] Upon graduation in 1975, he spent 3 years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as director and producer in the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to release, the film faced a lot of distribution troubles and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it gave him the momentum to take the plunge in film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu while predominantly covering territories such as Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet. Also in Pondicherry & Tirupathi. He distributed successful films such as Thillu Mullu, Thai Veedu, Vaidehi Kathirunthal, Sindhu Bhairavi, Punnagai Mannan, Chinna Poove Mella Pesu, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Poovizhi Vasalile, Guru Sishyan, Mappillai, Rajadhi Raja and My Dear Kuttichathan 3D in Tamil.^[4]

Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films, his first Directorial Debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave was a commercial Blockbuster with new faces. His most notable collaborations are with Vijayakanth, Ramki, Kushboo and with Urvashi on various occasions. In total he has directed 14 feature films. His film Dancer with a differently abled "Kutty" as the hero fetched the National Award, 3 State Awards and an Award in the prestigious Canadian Film Festival. The film also had a special screening at London Disability Arts Forum

His involvement in film production include producing and financing 40+ films across various Indian Languages. During the course of distribution he was notable as an Exhibitor with 28 Theatres on lease across Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry & Tirupathi including ""Sathyam Cinemas" Chennai from 1984–1993.

He has played a pivotal role for some of the landmarks in Tamil Cinema, Such films during this period include India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil & Telugu, "Pesum Padam" the movie without dialogues starring Kamalhassan, Maaveeran starring Rajinikanth, the first 70mm Tamil Film, "Engalayum Vazha Vidungal" a film which was notable for animals talking on screen, "Spy Kids 3D" using Anaglyph^[5] technology for the first time and "Jai Vedalam" the first folklore to be released in 3D across 4 languages. His film "Dancer" released in 2005 was most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty a highly talented and differently abled artist.

He was elected as President of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) in 2013 and has worked on issues regarding title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers and helping seeing through the release of delayed projects.^[6] Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity. All artistes especially Heroines to participate in all promotional activities for their Films.

KR has also written a book "Idhuthaan Cinema" in Tamil literary meaning "This is Cinema", published in 2003. The book details the nuances of Cinema and predicting its future as it is today. He has been an authority for Cinema since the early 80's giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.

KR had a stint with Raadaan Mediaworks as Vice President and is currently one of the Director at Global United Media

Member and Honorary Positions

He was one of the eminent member in the 8 member Key Advisory committee which included several personalities from across the country to advice the Honorable Union Minister in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India under Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters in respect of the Indian film industry in 2001.

He also served in the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in the year 1989 to study and submit a White Paper on the affairs of Tamil Film Industry.

Filmography

As director

As Distributor

As actor

• Pondatti Thevai (1990)^[7]

Gallery

• 
  KR greets Selvi J.Jayalalithaa for the success of the upcoming 2011 Elections
• 
  Entire film industry including Artistes, technicians & workers during a procession from Nadigar Sangam to Seerani Arangam Marina Beach in 1988 by Tamil Film Chamber of Commerce organized for Thiru M.Karunanidhi as Chief Guest under the leadership of KR
• 
  KR including other personalities meeting with Honorable Governor Mr.Alexander in 1988 on behalf of TFCC to discuss on films
• 
  Founder & President of Tamil Film Chamber of Commerce felicitating the Honorable Chief Minister Thiru.M Karunanidhi in Valluvar Kottam 1989
• 
  KR handing over donation to the Honorable Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa on behalf of the Tamil Film Producers' Council Welfare Trust for Anandhanam Scheme in Temples across Tamil Nadu
• 
  Inviting Honorable Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri.Rosaiah, for the 100 Years of Indian Cinema Function held at Chennai in 2013 on behalf of South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce
• 
  Felicitating Shri.Arun Jaitley the I&B Minister during a South Indian Film Chambers event in 2000
• 
  President of South Indian Film Chambers of Commerce KR felicitating Mrs.Sushma Swaraj the I&B Minister during a Film Chambers event in 2000
• 
  During the Audio launch of Dancer Directed by KR with the presence of Mr. Jaipal Reddy the I&B Minister 2004. The concept of having a differently abled as the Hero gained positive views & appreciation
• 
  A candid moment with Rajinikanth during a Film function
• 
  Kamalhassan receiving ICA Forum Silver Jubilee Book from KR
• 
  KR felicitated by Nadigar Sangam President & Members upon becoming President of South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce
• 
  With legendary Sivaji Ganesan during a New year function 1998
• 
  The first ever time Kamalhassan & Rajinikanth along with their Guru K. Balachander attend a film puja for KR's – Vanaja Girija produced by Panchu Arunachalam
• 
  President of Tamil Film Producers' Council KR meets & invites Honorable Chief Minister Selvi J.Jayalalithaa for the 100 Years of Cinema function in 2013 along with the Film fraternity

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kothanda Ramaiah.

• Kothanda Ramaiah at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Website