Kothanda Ramaiah


Kothanda Ramaiah is an Indian Tamil film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He has held various leading positions in different film industry organizations.

Career

KR studied film processing at the Adyar Film Institute in Chennai in 1972. Upon graduation in 1975, he spent three years as a technician in Doordarshan Kendra. KR made his debut film as a director and producer with the Malayalam film Sisirathil Oru Vasantham. Prior to its release, the film faced a number of distribution problems and was eventually released by Suguna Screens in 1980. Although the film failed at the box office, it provided him the incentive to move into film distribution and exhibition across Tamil Nadu covering territories including: Chennai City, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengelpet, Pondicherry, and 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.
Since 1991, KR has directed and produced a series of medium budget films. His directorial debut in Tamil Eeramana Rojave featured new actors and was a huge commercial success. His most notable collaborations are with actors Vijayakanth, Ramki, Kushboo, and with Urvashi on several occasions. In total he has directed fourteen feature films. His film Dancer, released in 2005, most notable for its protagonist who was a one legged dancer played by Kutty, a highly talented and differently abled artist, won the National Award, three State Awards, and an award at the prestigious Canadian film festival. The film also had a special screening at the London Disability Arts Forum.
His involvement in film production includes producing and financing over forty films in various Indian Languages. While he was involved in film distribution he was also an exhibitor with twenty-eight theatres leased across: Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Tirupathi; he also ran the Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai from 1984 to 1993.
He has played a role in some of the landmarks of Tamil cinema including: India's First ever 3D My Dear Kuttichathan in Tamil and Telugu; Pesum Padam a movie without dialogue 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 technology for the first time; and Jai Vedalam the first film to be released in 3D in four languages.
He was elected president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council in 2013 and has worked on issues including title registration, financially supporting bankrupt producers, and helping see through the release of delayed projects. Other initiatives include streamlining and reducing the cost of publicity and having actors participate in all promotional activities for their films.
KR has also written a book Idhuthaan Cinema in Tamil published in 2003. It details the nuances of cinema and predicts its future viewed from today. He has been an authority on cinema since the early 1980s giving the industry insights and a way forward for the years ahead.
KR worked at Raadaan Mediaworks as Vice President.

Member and Honorary Positions

PostOrganisationNotes
PresidentTamil Film Producers' CouncilFrom 2013 – 2014
PresidentSouth Indian Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 2000 – 2001
Jury MemberNational Film Awards2001
Vice PresidentSouth Indian Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 1985 – 2000 Several Occasions
MemberSouth Indian Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 1985, representing Dispute Committee, Title Registration, Publicity Clearance, Property Development Committee, Management Committee of Cinema Centenary Club
Chair PersonNational Award Selection CommitteeFor "Wholesome Entertainment"
Chair PersonNational Award Selection CommitteeFor "Oscar Award" in the category of "Best Foreign Film Award"
General SecretarySouth Indian Film & TV Directors Association
Founder PresidentTamil Film Chamber of CommerceFrom 1987 – 1991
Founder, Permanent TrusteeTamil Film Producers' Welfare TrustFounded in 1994
Former PresidentMadras City, Chengai District Film Distributors Welfare AssociationFrom 1985 – 1988

He was one of the members of an eight-member advisory committee, which included several personalities from across the country, to advise the Honorable Union Minister in the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mrs.Sushma Swaraj on major issues related to policy and other matters pertaining to the Indian film industry in 2001.
He also served on the five-member committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1989 to study and submit a white paper on the state of the Tamil Film Industry.

Filmography

As director

As Distributor

As actor