Robert–Rajasekar

Robert–Rajasekar
Robert (left) and Rajasekar (right)
DiedRobert:
(2018-07-11)11 July 2018
Rajasekar:
(2019-09-08)8 September 2019
Occupation(s)Film directors
cinematographers
Years active1979–2019

Robert–Rajasekar was an Indian filmmaking duo consisting of Robert Asirvatham and S. Rajasekar. They were active in film direction and cinematography in Tamil cinema of the 1980s. The duo are regarded to have ushered a "new wave" in Tamil cinema.[1]

Career

In the 1970s, Robert Asirvatham and S. Rajasekar graduated as cameramen from the Madras Film Institute. They debuted as cinematographers with Kudisai (1979), a low budget film directed by Jayabharathi, also from the institute. Robert–Rajasekar's next film was to be Naalai Ulagam Namadhe, which was never completed. They were later hired to work in Oru Thalai Ragam (1980), which emerged a major success and a breakthrough in their career.[2] Robert–Rajasekar made their directorial debut with Palaivana Solai (1981), where they also wrote the screenplay (based on Rajasekar's story) and continued as cinematographers.[3] The film was a success, and they received more directorial offers. Their next directorial venture Kalyana Kalam (1982), however, became a box-office bomb.[4] After two years of no work, they were offered to direct Chinna Poove Mella Pesu (1987) which emerged a success, and revitalised their career.[2] In 2008, Robert–Rajasekar made their television debut by directing some episodes of Naanal.[5][6]

Deaths

Robert died on 30 November 2018,[1] and Rajasekar on 8 September 2019.[7]

Filmography

Year Title Worked as Notes Ref.
Cinematographer Director
1979 Kudisai Yes
1980 Oru Thalai Ragam Yes
1981 Palaivana Solai Yes Yes
1982 Kalyana Kalam Yes Yes
1983 Dhooram Adhighamillai Yes Yes
1987 Chinna Poove Mella Pesu Yes Yes
1988 Manasukkul Mathappu Yes Yes [3]
1988 Paravaigal Palavitham Yes Yes [8]
2008 Naanal Yes TV series

References

  1. ^ a b Kolappan, B. (1 December 2018). "Cinematographer, director Robert dead". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kumar, N. (22 May 1987). "A courageous comeback". The Indian Express. p. 12. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "அவர் ஒரு பொன்மாலைப் பொழுது" [He is a golden twilight time]. Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 13 September 2019. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  4. ^ Shiva Kumar, S. (1982). "Suhasini fiasco". Sunday Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Sonia Agarwal debuts in Khushboo's telly soap". Rediff.com. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Sonia plays a widow in Naanal". The New Indian Express. 10 December 2008. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Veteran actor-director Rajasekar passes away". The Indian Express. 8 September 2019. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  8. ^ Krishnaswamy, N. (9 December 1988). "Paravaigal Palavitham". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 23 December 2021.