K. E. Gnanavel Raja
K. E. Gnanavel Raja is an Indian film producer and entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu, India. He initially began his career by producing and distributing films starring Suriya and Karthi, before branching out to own three studios — Studio Green, Aadnah Arts and Blue Ghost Pictures.[1]
K. E. Gnanavel Raja | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 June Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Film producer, architect |
| Years active | 2006–present |
Career
Gnanavel Raja nurtured an interest in becoming a film producer since his childhood, and revealed that he would regularly skip classes from his school days at St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai to watch film screenings at the nearby Devi or Sathyam cinema halls. Gnanavel Raja is also distantly related to actor Sivakumar's family, though has often been labelled by the media as the cousin of Sivakumar's sons Suriya and Karthi.[2]
After founding Studio Green, he entered the production business by producing Sillunu Oru Kaadhal (2006) starring Suriya in the lead role, and then solely collaborated with the actor and his brother Karthi as a producer or distributor for several of their films until 2012. Several of the studio's films including Paruthiveeran (2007), Singam (2010) and Naan Mahaan Alla (2010) were profitable, while dubbed releases of the films in Andhra Pradesh also helped the market of the two actors amongst Telugu-speaking audiences.[3][4][5] His first success as a distributor for another actor's films was through Attakathi (2012), and he subsequently enjoyed further success from the distribution of Kumki (2012) and Soodhu Kavvum (2013).[6]
Despite minor setbacks through the commercial failures of Alex Pandian (2013) and All in All Azhagu Raja (2013), Gnanavel Raja experienced success with small-budget productions such as Pa. Ranjith's Madras (2014), Indru Netru Naalai (2015) and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum (2016). Likewise distribution deals secured for O Kadhal Kanmani (2015), 36 Vayathinile (2015) and Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) also proved to be profitable. Other setbacks came in the form of the release deal for Uttama Villain (2015) and during the release of Komban (2015), where protesters claimed that the story revolved around animosity between different caste groups and that it therefore had the potential to incite violence in southern districts of Tamil Nadu.[7]
During 2016, Gnanavel Raja became involved in a series of clashes with other filmmakers, effectively raising his profile as an individual in the film industry. In May 2016, he was briefly on a hunger strike protesting against the effects of piracy on his latest release, 24 (2016).[8][9] The following month he called for a ban on future films by Karthik Subbaraj citing that the director had overshot the budget for Iraivi (2016) and that the film had showed producers in negative light.[10] He later called out actor Sivakarthikeyan for failing to honour an acting commitment he had to Studio Green.[11]
In early 2017, Gnanavel Raja criticised the existing Tamil Film Producers Council for failing to adequately tackle piracy, before successfully getting himself elected to the board as the Secretary.[12][13] He later resigned seven months later, hoping to become the President of Chennai Kanchipuram Thiruvallur District Film Distributors Association, but was eventually unsuccessful.[14] In a press conference in late 2017, he indirectly criticised actors Silambarasan, Trisha and Vadivelu for giving film producers a difficult time.[15]
Alongside Studio Green, he later set up Aadnah Arts and Blue Ghost Pictures, which has two horror films set for release in 2018.[16]
Companies
- Studio Green (2006—present)
- Aadnah Arts (2015—present)
Filmography
Production
Distribution
References
- "Gananavel Raja's Reception - Ke Gnanavelraja - Karthi - Tamil Movie News - Behindwoods.com". www.behindwoods.com.
- Menon, Vishal (14 May 2016). "'Distribution is an art form'". The Hindu.
- "Siruthai trailer launched". www.sify.com.
- "Karthi Celebrates His Success". www.behindwoods.com.
- "Karthi – Tamil Movie News – Karthi's hat-trick – Karthi – Naan Mahaan Alla – Paiyya – Aayirathil Oruvan". www.behindwoods.com.
- "I Was Surprised To See A Character Like Myself In This Film". www.behindwoods.com.
- "HC verdict on "Komban" today". The Hindu. 1 April 2015.
- "24's distributor Gnanavel Raja goes an indefinite hunger against piracy". www.behindwoods.com. 13 May 2016.
- "'24' Producer Gnanavel Raja Goes On Indefinite Hunger Strike". News 18.
- "Red card to be issued against 'Iraivi' director Karthik Subbaraj?". www.sify.com.
- Upadhyaya, Prakash. "3 producers up in arms against Sivakarthikeyan; did he point them as troublemakers at Remo success meet?". International Business Times.
- "Gnanavel Raja blames TFPC for piracy in Kollywood". Times of India.
- ""I will put you in jail and live stream it"-Gnanavel Raja's angry speech". www.indiaglitz.com.
- "Arulpathi defeats Gnanavel Raja". www.sify.com.
- "Did Kollywood's leading producer Gnanavel Raja take a dig at Trisha and Simbu?". The Indian Express. 16 November 2017.
- "Vijay Varadharaj's Pallu Padama Paathukka officially announced". www.behindwoods.com. 2 January 2018.
- "Timesofap". Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- "'24' worldwide box office collection: Suriya-starrer grosses Rs. 100 crore". Indian Business Times. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
- "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SURIYA". Indiaglitz. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
- "Highest Grossing Tamil Movies 2016 (Overseas): 'Theri,' '24' rule the box office in first half of the year". Indian Business Times. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
- "'24' Success Celebrations: Suriya's Thanksgiving Letter Will Move You!". Filmibeat. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- "CHENNAI BOX OFFICE MAY 27TH TO MAY 29TH". Indiaglitz. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.