Sakthi Chidambaram

Sakthi N Chidambaram (born Dinakar),^[1] is an Indian film director, who directs Tamil films.

Sakthi Chidambaram
Born	C. Dhinakaran
Occupation(s)	writer, director, actor
Years active	1992-present
Spouse	Radha

Career

His real name is C. Dhinakaran. He first wrote the dialogues for the films Kottai Vaasal (1992), Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru (1994), Uzhiyan (1994) and Pathavi Pramanam (1994). 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 (2000) 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 with Abbas, Mumtaj and Divyaa Unni also joining the cast. Despite nearly completing shoot, the project was shelved and remains unreleased.^[4][5] His next directorial project, Charlie Chaplin (2002), was a hit, and its success led to various remakes in other languages. He created a record in Tamil cinema as it became the first to be remade in six Indian languages, including in Bollywood.^[6] His other projects, Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu (2003) and Kadhal Kirukkan (2003), became box office disasters.^[7][8]

In 2004, he again collaborated with Sathyaraj with Maha Nadigan, a satire on cinema and politics.^[9] 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.^[10] In 2005, he briefly worked on the production of a film titled Pattasu with Sibiraj, Vikranth and Chaya Singh, but the film did not complete production.^[11]

Sakthi again directed Sathyaraj in Englishkaran (2005) and Kovai Brothers (2006), both successful.^[12][13] Sakthi has produced five screenplays which are Kovai Brothers (2006), Viyabari (2007), Sandai (2008), Rajadhi Raja (2009) and Guru Sishyan (2010). For the movie Kaavalan (2011), Sakthi bought Tamil Nadu rights.^[14]

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.^[15] 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.^[16] Despite the release of a trailer and soundtrack, the film did not have a theatrical release.^[17][18]

His next Charlie Chaplin 2 (2019), a comedy entertainer and a sequel to his 2002 blockbuster with the same name. But this sequel has no connection to the original except Prabhu Deva and Prabhu.^[19]

Filmography

As director

Year	Film	Notes
1997	Samrat
1998	Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu
2000	Ennamma Kannu
2002	Charlie Chaplin
2003	Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu
2003	Kadhal Kirukkan
2004	Maha Nadigan
2005	Englishkaran
2006	Kovai Brothers
2007	Viyabari
2008	Sandai
2009	Rajadhi Raja
2010	Guru Sishyan
2019	Charlie Chaplin 2
2021	Pei Mama

As actor

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1992	Kottai Vaasal	Periyavar's assistant
1994	Uzhiyan	Govindaraj's assistant
1999	Jodi	Prashanth's friend	Credited as Dinakar
2007	Vyabari		Cameo appearance in song "Vyabari"
2013	Thillu Mullu	Film director	Cameo appearance

As writer

• Kottai Vaasal (1992)
• Veettai Paar Naattai Paar (1994)
• Uzhiyan (1994)
• Pathavi Pramanam (1994)

As producer

• Kovai Brothers (2006)
• Viyabari (2007)
• Pazhani (2008)
• Sandai (2008)
• Rajadhi Raja (2009)
• Guru Sishyan (2010)

As distributor

Shakthi N Chidambaramhas bought the Tamil Nadu rights for Kaavalan (2011).^[20]

As lyricist

Year	Film	Song	Notes
2002	Charlie Chaplin	Shansha Shalpasha
2003	Kadhal Kirukkan	Hey Penne
2008	Sandai	Maduraikara Ponnu
2013	Machan	Nanba Enna Marandhuttiya
2019	Charlie Chaplin 2	Kadhal Oru Kannadi
2021	Pei Mama	Hey Enna Vechu, Maattikitanda, Pei Ottum

Controversy

Shakthi N Chidambaram lashed out at actress Suhasini for giving bad reviews of his film Rajadhi Raja (2009).^[21][22]

References

1. . Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
2. "Hot New". Cinematoday2.itgo.com. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
3. "Ennamma Kannu - Tamil Movie Review". www.thiraipadam.com.
4. . www.minnamutam.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. . 7 February 2001. Archived from the original on 7 February 2001.
6. "More Charlie Chaplin sequels in store: Sakthi Chidambaram". 22 January 2019.
7. "Inidhu Inidhu Review - Tamil Movie Inidhu Inidhu Review".
8. "Kadhal Kirukkan". IMDb.
9. . www.sify.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014.
10. "Saddam Hussain in Kodambakkam - Tamil Movie News - IndiaGlitz.com". 16 December 2004.
11. "Tamil movies : Pattasu – Sibiraj & Vikrant shooting started". www.behindwoods.com.
12. "Englishkaran - Tamil Movie Review". www.thiraipadam.com.
13. . www.sify.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014.
14. "Kollywood Director Sakthi Chidambaram Biography, News, Photos, Videos".
15. Oor Kaalan (7 February 2012). "Shakti Chidambaram to cast Namitha in Machan? | Tamil Cinema News " KollyInsider". Kollyinsider.com.
16. "Marina Hero In Machan – Siva Karthikeyan – Machan – Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. 8 February 2012.
17. K. R. Manigandan (19 April 2012). "Life & Style / Metroplus : Shot Cuts". The Hindu.
18. "18 stars converge for Machan, machan, Sakthi Chidambaram". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
19. "Charlie Chaplin 2 movie review: A sequel that should never have been made". 26 January 2019.
20. "Sakthi Chidambaram takes Vijay's 'Kaavalan' distribution rights". www.kollyinsider.com.
21. . Archived from the original on 27 July 2011.
22. "Shakthi Chidambaram lashes out Mani Rathnam's spouse". 3 June 2009.