V. Z. Durai is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry.[1]
V. Z. Durai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Right Eye Theatres |
Film career
edit2000–2010
editDurai eventually approached S. S. Chakravarthy to make the film Mugavaree (2000) with Ajith Kumar. As Durai had no prior experience working with film, Chakravarthy contributed significantly to shooting and editing, while also helping sign the actor Jyothika in the film, which turned out to be a blockbuster.[2][3] Prior to the release of the film, Ajith, who has happy with the final product, gifted a car to Durai. Mugavaree ran for 100 days in cinemas.[4] The success of the film led to the Durai and Kumar to make another film together featuring co-stars R. Madhavan and Vikram. However, they later scrapped and dropped the film. The production company for Mugavaree later offered for Durai to direct the film Kadhal Sadugudu featuring Vikram and Priyanka Trivedi, Which did not gross that well.
In 2005, Durai directed the gangster film Thotti Jaya starring Silambarasan and Gopika. This film was a blockbuster at box office. Thotti Jaya Over the years became a cult classic and even after 15years it was celebrated by fans and media. It was Silambarasan's First gangster venture, A Sequel to this is much anticipated. Durai's fourth film was Nepali, starring Bharath and Meera Jasmine. According to critics, this film turned out to be very different from Durai's usual productions and despite mixed reviews it grossed well
2010–2019
editAfter Nepali, Durai took a five-year hiatus from directing movies and instead directed advertisements and focusing more on his international constructions and Ad Film Company. After the hiatus, he directed 6, which cast actors Shaam and Poonam Kaur.The film received praise from stars like Bala, who honoured him with a chain, and Kannada star Sudeep Sanjeev, who praised both Shaam and Durai for their excellent work. Shaam reportedly went without sleep for days during filming.[5] Durai again took a five-year hiatus before directing Yemaali in 2018.[6]
Since 2018, Durai has directed the horror-thriller movie Iruttu starring Sundar C (released 6 December 2019). The film was a hit horror thriller, with critics praising it for its unexplored elements and investigative angle. The film was a break for Sundar C, the film completed 50days of theatrical run and was declared as a 'hit'. Durai Next directed 'Narkali' Starring Actor turned director Ameer. Durai started his own production company 'Right Eye Theatres' sidelining his previous first copy ventures and his advertisements and constructions. His first Production is the hit combo of himself and Sundar C, which is expected to be a sequel to one of the biggest hits of 2005, Thalainagaram[7]
Advertisements
editDurai founded a company called Addlime, through which he directed several international advertisements in Dubai, Ukraine, Thailand, and London. In London, he did various corporate films for Medican Medical Cannabis. His wife and him associated for several advertisements such as The Chennai Silks, City Union Bank Limited (CUB), BharatMatrimony etc.[8]
Constructions
editDurai prior to becoming a film director, worked in a firm called 'sunland group of companies' founded and headed by his brother in law. He worked as the managing director for several projects.[9]
| Year | Project | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Taj Hotels | Maldives |
| 2002 | Taj Hotels | South Male atoll |
| 2003 | Taj Hotels | bolifushi |
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Mugavaree | Also Cameo Appearance | [10] |
| 2002 | Ramanaa | As an Actor | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Sadugudu | [11] | |
| 2005 | Thotti Jaya | Also Cameo Appearance | [12] |
| 2008 | Nepali | Also Cameo Appearance | [13] |
| 2013 | 6 | [14] | |
| 2018 | Yemaali | [15] | |
| 2019 | Iruttu | Also Cameo Appearance | [16] |
| 2022 | Thalainagaram 2 | Also As an actor and producer | [17] |
| 2024 | Narkaali | Also As an actor | [18] |
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | National Film Awards | Best Debut Director | Mugavaree | Nominated | [19] |
| 2000 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Family film | Won | [19] | |
| 2013 | National Film Awards | Best Film | 6 | Nominated | [20] |
| 2013 | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | Best Story | Won | [20] |
Honours
edit- NIC Arts Production House for Excellence Commercial Success;– Honoured for Mugavaree (2000)
References
edit- ^ "Kollywood's Top 25 Directors – Directors – Vetrimaran Balaji Sakthivel Lingusamy Vasanth Karu Pazhaniappan Simbudevan". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Stories sculpted out of unfulfilled desires". The Hindu. 6 September 2002. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Mugavaree director V.Z.Dhorai talks about his experience working with Ajith". Behindwoods. 23 April 2017. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "'6 Candles' review: Shaam excels in this otherwise lousy Tamil film". News18. IANS. 21 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- ^ "Yemaali review – An experimental film which falls flat". Sify. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018.
- ^ "Iruttu review: An engaging horror thriller". Sify. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Bharat Matrimony - TV commercial - Bharatmatrimony". www.bharatmatrimony.com.
- ^ "Sunland Construction – Moving Energy Forward".
- ^ "rediff.com, Movies: Review of Mugavari". Rediff. 6 March 2000. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Kadhal Sadugudu". The Hindu. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Thotti Jaya — Tamil Movie Review". Thiraipadam.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Nepali Movie Review — Behindwoods.com Bharath Meera Jasmine Prem VZ Durai Music — Srikanth Deva stills picture image gallery". Behindwoods. 5 December 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (21 September 2013). "6 Melugu Vathigal: A change of programme". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "'Yemaali' movie review: The title could very well mean the audience". The New Indian Express. 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Iruttu Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos", The Times of India, archived from the original on 26 December 2019, retrieved 29 August 2020
- ^ "Sundar C, VZ Dhorai film Thalainagaram 2 launched". Cinema Express. 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "'Naarkaali' director VZ Durai upset over the film's process". The Times of India. 2 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Did you know, Ajith was first introduced as 'AK' in 'Mugavaree'?". The Times of India. 2 December 2021.
- ^ a b "2013 Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards Winning Tamil Films & Crew". www.tamilmdb.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
External links
edit- V. Z. Durai at IMDb