Perarasu

Career

Perarasu, was born in Natarasankottai near Madurai district. He tried for 7 to 8 years to make it big and had some off-beat stories. When he was new to Chennai, he used to frequent AVM and stand in front of the studios longing to visit the place. He bribed a production in charge ten rupees one day and got himself into the studios. His experience of 15 to 16 years in the industry taught him to analyse the pulse of the audience and give them what they want. He honed his skills under Rama Narayanan and N. Maharajan. Apart from assisting, Perarasu appeared in few films doing small uncredited roles. He wants his films to be packed with mind-blowing songs, speedy screenplay, punchy dialogue and in between inserted with sentiments, comedy, twists and turns.

Perarasu made his directorial debut with Thirupaachi starring Vijay in lead role being his 40th film. The film was released on the eve of Pongal with 207 prints and the film received positive reviews from critics claiming that "you may strive hard to find anything new in Tirupachi, which is old wine served in a new bottle, with a different label". The film completed a 100-day theatrical run among 112 screens in Tamil Nadu and completed 200 days in more than 25 centres.

After the success of Thirupaachi, A. M. Rathnam called Perarasu to make a film with Vijay re-uniting with him for second time. Sivakasi was Perarasu's second collaboration with Vijay after Thirupaachi and producer Rathnam's third film with Vijay after Kushi and Ghilli. The film was released on Diwali to positive reviews with a critic claiming that ""This formula had worked well for director Perarasu and Vijay in Tirupachi and now the team has re-worked it. This time, however, it will test your patience as it is not meant for the class audience or those seeking quality entertainment. Perarasu and Vijay believe only in catering to the mass audience who want their dose of unpretentious masala mix" but eventually became a successful venture at box office.

During the making of Sivakasi, representatives from AVM Productions approached Perarasu to make a commercial film with Ajith Kumar in the lead role. The director immediately accepted the offer and told the producer the story of the film during the meeting and the film was announced publicly two days later. In August 2005, it became clear that the film would begin in November and that Riyaz Khan would play the lead antagonist role in the project. Sadha was signed on to play the lead role after early reports suggested that either Nayantara, Renuka Menon or Gopika would play the lead female role. The film was launched officially on 15 September 2005 with Vijay attending the opening ceremony. The film was critically panned, with critics claiming that the film drew too much resemblance to Perarasu's previous projects, Thirupaachi and Sivakasi.

After the failure of Thirupathi, Perarasu announced a project called "Pandigai" with S. J. Suryah but the project was cancelled and he announced his next project "Dharmapuri" with Vijaykanth in 2006 since Producer A M Rathnam expressed his desire of Perarasu directing a film for him again after Sivakasi. Incidentally it was Rathnam who suggested Vijayakanth’s name for the film. When Rathnam and captain heard the ‘one liner’ of the movie, they both liked it instantly and thus ‘Dharmapuri’ was born without even a heroine. Indiaglitz wrote: "Perarasu has dished out a movie that would certainly appease front-benchers. A commercial pot-boiler, the movie will be lapped by Vijayakanth's fans. Sure to make it big in rural centres, the movie also has enough stunt sequences for action-lovers".

Perarasu's next film is Pazhani, starring Bharath and Kajal Aggarwal. It was a super hit movie at the box office.

Perarasu then directed films like, Thiruvannamalai and Thiruthani. Thiruvannamalai was a commercial hit, but Thiruthani failed at box office.

Style of work

Perarasu is known primarily for directing films which he says are "aimed at the common man who looks at pure entertainment", rather than critics. His films are also known for having sentiment and action scenes in equal proportions. Due to his films being named after towns and cities, he has been nicknamed "Oorarasu" by the media, the term being a portmanteau of "oor" (meaning town or city) and his name Perarasu.