Chitralaya Gopu

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 and Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa.[3]

Chitralaya Gopu
சித்ராலயா கோபு
Gopu at the play "Chocolate Krishna" in 2015
Born	Sadagopan (1931-06-30) 30 June 1931[1]
Occupation	Writer, director
Years active	1959–1990
Spouse(s)	Kamala
Children	4

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 Pictures.[4][8] Sadagopan became popularly known as 'Chitralaya' Gopu.[9]

He received the Kalaimamani Award from Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa in 1992.

He directed and acted in television forays, such as Washingtonil Thirumanam, which was shot in the U.S. and was also successful.

Personal life

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

Partial filmography

Year	Film	Credited as		Notes
		Director	Writer
1959	Kalyana Parisu	N	Y
1962	Nenjil Or Aalayam	N	Y
1964	Kadhalikka Neramillai	N	Y
1964	Kalai Kovil	N	Y
1966	Pyar Kiye Jaa	N	Y	Remake of Kadhalikka Neramillai
1966	Kodimalar	N	Y
1967	Nenjirukkum Varai	N	Y
1967	Ooty Varai Uravu	N	Y
1967	Anubavam Pudhumai	N	Y
1968	Galatta Kalyanam	N	Y
1969	Shanti Nilayam	N	Y
1970	Veettuku Veedu	N	Y
1971	Moondru Dheivangal	N	Y
1971	Sumathi En Sundari	N	Y
1971	Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa	N	Y
1972	Kasethan Kadavulada	Y	Y
1974	Athaiya Mamiya	Y	Y
1974	Penn Ondru Kanden	Y	Y
1974	Galate Samsara	N	Y
1977	Kalamadi Kalam	Y	Y
1977	Rasi Nalla Rasi	Y	Y
1979	Alankari	Y	Y
1979	Asaikku Vayasillai	Y	Y
1979	Dhairyalakshmi	Y	Y
1984	Raja Veettu Kannukkutty	N	Y
1985	Thanga Mama 3D	N	Y
1985	Vellai Manasu	Y	Y
1985	Thendrale Ennai Thodu	N	Y
1988	Vasanthi	Y	Y
1988	Patti Sollai Thattathe	N	Y
1989	Dilli Babu	Y	Y
1990	Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga	N	Y	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. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
4. Srinivasan, Meera (21 October 2008). "Veteran film director Sridhar dead". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
5. 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. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
10. Balasubramanian, V. (18 February 2016). "An account of family ties". The Hindu. 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.

External links

• Chitralaya Gopu on IMDb