Chithralaya Gopu

Chitralaya Gopu
Gopu at the play "Chocolate Krishna" in 2015
Born
Sadagopan

(1931-07-02) 2 July 1931 (age 93)[1]
Occupation(s)Writer, director
Years active1959–1990
SpouseKamala
Children4

Sadagopan (better known as Chitralaya Gopu) is an Indian screenwriter and director who works in the Tamil cinema. He has written nearly 60 films, and directed 27 of them.[2] He scripted dramatic films such as Moondru Dheivangal and Shanti Nilayam and comedies such as Kadhalikka Neramillai, Galatta Kalyanam, Patti Sollai Thattathe and Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa.[3]

Career

C. V. Sridhar and Sadagopan were childhood friends since their schooldays in St. Joseph's High School, Chengalpattu.[4] Both were playwrights; Sridhar wrote stage plays and played the hero while Sadagopan wrote the humorous parts and played the comedian.[5] Later, when Sridhar had the opportunity to direct a film, he asked Sadagopan to join him and produce the comedy track.[6][7] The film Kalyana Parisu (1959) was a hit and Sridhar started his own production house, Chitralaya.[4][8] Sadagopan became popularly known as 'Chitralaya' Gopu.[9]

He received the Kalaimamani Award from Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa in 1992.[citation needed]

He directed and acted in television forays, such as Washingtonil Thirumanam, which was shot in the U.S.[citation needed]

Personal life

Gopu is married to Kamala, a novelist.[5] They have four sons.[10][11]

Partial filmography

Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Writer
1959 Kalyana Parisu Red XN Green tickY
1962 Nenjil Or Aalayam Red XN Green tickY
1964 Kadhalikka Neramillai Red XN Green tickY
1964 Kalai Kovil Red XN Green tickY
1966 Pyar Kiye Jaa Red XN Green tickY Remake of Kadhalikka Neramillai
1966 Kodimalar Red XN Green tickY
1967 Nenjirukkum Varai Red XN Green tickY
1967 Ooty Varai Uravu Red XN Green tickY
1967 Anubavam Pudhumai Red XN Green tickY
1968 Galatta Kalyanam Red XN Green tickY
1969 Shanti Nilayam Red XN Green tickY
1970 Veettuku Veedu Red XN Green tickY
1971 Moondru Deivangal Red XN Green tickY
1971 Sumathi En Sundari Red XN Green tickY
1971 Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa Red XN Green tickY
1972 Kasethan Kadavulada Green tickY Green tickY
1974 Athaiya Mamiya Green tickY Green tickY
1974 Penn Ondru Kanden Green tickY Green tickY
1974 Galate Samsara Red XN Green tickY
1977 Kalamadi Kalam Green tickY Green tickY
1977 Rasi Nalla Rasi Green tickY Green tickY
1979 Alankari Green tickY Green tickY
1979 Asaikku Vayasillai Green tickY Green tickY
1979 Dhairyalakshmi Green tickY Green tickY
1984 Raja Veettu Kannukkutty Red XN Green tickY
1985 Thanga Mama 3D Red XN Green tickY
1985 Vellai Manasu Green tickY Green tickY
1985 Thendrale Ennai Thodu Red XN Green tickY
1988 Vasanthi Green tickY Green tickY
1988 Paatti Sollai Thattathe Red XN Green tickY
1989 Dilli Babu Green tickY Green tickY
1990 Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga Red XN Green tickY Last film[5]

References

  1. ^ "Happy 80th birthday, Chitralaya Gopu!". The New Indian Express. 2 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Happy 80th birthday, Chitralaya Gopu!". IBN Live. 4 July 2011. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  3. ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (18 February 2010). "In relaxed mood – 'Chitralaya' Gopu". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b Srinivasan, Meera (21 October 2008). "Veteran film director Sridhar dead". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Rangarajan, Malathi (10 July 2009). "Looking back with a smile". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  6. ^ Ashok Kumar, S.R. (20 November 2005). "'Chithralaya' Gopu, proprietor of Mannar & Co, Oho Productions". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  7. ^ Parthasarathy, Anusha (24 November 2010). "Memories of Madras: Heaven on earth". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Sridhar – The man with the midas touch". The Hindu. PTI. 21 October 2008. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
  9. ^ Narayanan, Sujatha (3 March 2019). "Thamizh Talkies: When the pen isn't thought to be mighty". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  10. ^ Balasubramanian, V. (18 February 2016). "An account of family ties". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  11. ^ Rekhs (29 June 2012). "Gopu Is Gold". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.