Kalaipuli S. Thanu (pronounced [ðaːnu]) is an Indian film producer, director and distributor, known for his films in Tamil cinema. He has produced several films through his two companies, V Creations and Kalaipuli Films International. Many of his films have been commercially successful, three of which are among the top-ten highest grossing Tamil films. He has won two National Film Awards, two Cinema Express Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.
Kalaipuli S. Thanu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 25 June 1958 North Arcot, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse | Kala |
| Children | 3 |
| Honours | Kalaimamani 2020[1] |
Personal life
editThanu is married to Kala. Their son Kalaprabhu made his directorial debut with Sakkarakatti (2008).[2] Thanu also has a daughter Kavitha.[3]
Career
editS. Thanu began his career as a film financier and distributor, before becoming a producer and a partner at Kalaipuli Films with S. Thanu and Soori with Yaar? (1985), being their debut film as producers.[4][5] He initially started as a publicity designer being responsible for christening Rajinikanth as "Superstar" and creating a 35 feet cutout of him in a theatre.[6] He started his own company V. Creations and went on to produce commercially successful films with Vijayakanth in Cooliekkaran (1987), Nallavan (1988) and Pudhu Padagan (1990). His Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992) directed by Balu Mahendra won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. He also did in a cameo appearance for a film Magalir Mattum in 1994.[7] Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) and Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) won the Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil. He has also produced films with Suriya in Kaakha Kaakha (2003), Maayavi (2005) and with Vijay in Sachein (2005), Thuppakki (2012) and Theri (2016). He collaborated with Rajinikanth for the first time for Kabali (2016).[8]
He has produced four films for Dhanush such as Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (2017), Asuran (2019), Karnan (2021) and Naane Varuvean (2022).
Companies
editThanu owns Kalaipuli Films and V Creations. The former company was registered as a private company on 8 March 2004, and the CEO of the latter is Thanu's other son Paranthaman.[9][10]
Filmography
editAs actor
edit| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Magalir Mattum | Cameo appearance |
As producer
editAs distributor
edit- 2022 - Iravin Nizhal
- 2022 - Andhagan
- 2021 - Maraikayar: Arabikadalin Singam (Tamil version)
- 2019 - Kurukshetra (Tamil dubbed)
- 2019 - Lucifer (Tamil dubbed)
- 2017 - Velaiilla Pattadhari 2
- 2016 - Parandhu Sella Vaa
- 2016 - Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai
- 2015 - Vellaiya Irukiravan Poi Solla Maatan
- 2015 - Thakka Thakka[48]
- 2014 - Yennamo Yedho
- 2014 - Ner Ethir[49]
- 2012 - Urumi
- 2011 - Maaveeran
- 2011 - Pathinaaru[50]
- 2010 - Thottupaar
- 2010 - Milaga
- 1996 - Siraichaalai (Tamil dubbed)
- 1996 - Delhi Diary (Tamil dubbed)
Awards and honours
edit- Won, Best Feature Film in Tamil for Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992)
- Won, Best Feature Film in Tamil for Asuran (2019)
- Won, Best Film for Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993)
- Won, Best Film for Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)
- Won, Best Film for Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)
- Nominated, Best Film for Kaakha Kaakha (2003)
- Nominated, Best Film for Thuppakki (2012)
- Nominated, Best Film for Theri (2016)
- Nominated, Best Film for Kabali (2016)
- Nominated, Best Film for Karnan (2021)
- Nominated, Best Film for Thuppakki (2012)
- Nominated, Best Film for Theri (2016)
- Nominated, Best Film for Asuran (2019)
- Nominated, Best Film for Karnan (2021)
- Won, Favourite Film for Thuppakki (2012)
- Won, Most Popular Movie for Kabali (2016)