Quick Facts
Biography
Sakthi Chidambaram (born Dinakar), is an Indian film director, who directs Tamil films.
Career
His real name is C. Dhinakaran. He first wrote the dialogues for the films Kottai Vaasal, Pokkiri Thambi, Pathavi Pramanam, Veettai Paru Nattai Paru and Uzhiyan. Chidambaram made his directorial debut in 1997 with Samrat,starring Ramki, a remake of Hindi film Baazigar. In 1998, he directed the film Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu, starring Mansoor Ali Khan in the lead role. Both films were failures.
After a gap, he changed his name and directed Ennamma Kannu with Sathyaraj. The film received mixed reviews and did well. The success of the film prompted director and actor to reunite to make Mr. Narathar, but the project was shelved. He then directed Lovely with Karthik. His next directorial project, Charlie Chaplin, was a hit, and its success led to various remakes in other languages. His other projects, Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu and Kadhal Kirukkan, became box office disasters.
In 2004, he again collaborated with Sathyaraj with Maha Nadigan, a satire on cinema and politics. The film faced controversy prior to its release for its mockery of Tamil actors and politicians. In 2005, he briefly worked on the production of a film titled Pattasu with Sibiraj, Vikranth and Chaya Singh in the lead roles, but the film did not complete production.
Sakthi again directed Sathyaraj in Englishkaran and Kovai Brothers, both successful.
Filmography
As director
| Year | Film | Language | Starcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Samrat | Tamil | Ramki, Vineetha, Rukma |
| 1998 | Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu | Tamil | Mansoor Ali Khan |
| 2000 | Ennamma Kannu | Tamil | Sathyaraj, Devayani |
| 2002 | Charlie Chaplin | Tamil | Prabhu, Prabhu Deva, Abhirami |
| 2003 | Kadhal Kirukkan | Tamil | R. Parthiban, Richa Pallod, Vineeth |
| 2003 | Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu | Tamil | Jai Akash |
| 2004 | Maha Nadigan | Tamil | Sathyaraj, Namitha |
| 2005 | Englishkaran | Tamil | Sathyaraj, Namitha |
| 2006 | Kovai Brothers | Tamil | Sathyaraj, Sibiraj, Namitha |
| 2007 | Vyabari | Tamil | S. J. Suryah, Tamannaah, Namitha |
| 2008 | Sandai | Tamil | Sundar C. |
| 2009 | Rajadhi Raja | Tamil | Raghava Lawrence |
| 2010 | Guru Sishyan | Tamil | Sathyaraj, Sundar C. |
| 2015 | Jeyikkira Kuthira | Tamil | Jeevan, Dimple Chopade |
| TBA | Machan | Tamil | Vivek, Karunas |
As actor
| Year | Film | Role | Starcast | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Jodi | Prashanth's friend | Prashanth, Simran | Credited as Dinakar |
| 2007 | Vyabari | S. J. Suryah | Cameo appearance in song "Vyabari" | |
| 2013 | Thillu Mullu | Film director | Shiva | Cameo appearance |
| TBA | Machan | Ramesh Aravind, Vivek, Karunas, Namitha |
As producer
Sakthi Chidambaram has produced five films (Kovai Brothers, Viyabari, Sandai, Rajadhi Raja, Guru Sishyan) he directed under the Cinema Paradise banner owned by him, and has produced only one film, 2008's Pazhani which he did not direct.
As distributor
Sakthi Chidambaram has bought the Tamil Nadu rights for Kaavalan.
Controversy
Shakti Chidambaram lashed out at actress Suhasini for giving bad reviews of his film Rajadhi Raja.