Rajiv menon biography examples

1997 film by Rajiv Menon

Minsara Kanavu (transl. The electric dream) is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language musicalromantic comedy film that was co-written and directed by Rajiv Menon. The film stars Arvind Swamy, Prabhu Deva, and Kajol in her Tamil debut, and revolves around Priya (Kajol), a convent student who wants to become a nun. Having returned to India from his studies overseas, Thomas (Swamy)—Priya's childhood friend—falls in love with her following their first meeting at her convent. With the help of hairstylist Deva (Prabhu Deva), who is known for his ability to change woman's minds, Thomas tries to dissuade Priya from her ambition but Deva instead falls in love with her.

AVM Productions wanted to make a film to celebrate their golden jubilee in 1997. The project, which would be titled Minsara Kanavu, was produced by M. Saravanan, M. Balasubramanian, and M. S. Guhan. Menon responded to an advertisement for a director and cinematographer, and made his directorial debut with the film. Venu and Ravi K. Chandran completed the principal photography, and Prabhu Deva choreographed the film. A. R. Rahman composed the soundtrack, which received positive reviews, and the songs "Mana Madurai", "Strawberry", "Thanga Thamarai", and "Vennilave" became popular.

Minsara Kanavu premiered on 14 January 1997 during the Pongal festival and ran in theatres for over 175 days. The film was a commercial success in Tamil Nadu, though it initially opened to mediocre box-office earnings, but its dubbed versions performed poorly in North India and Telugu states. Critical reception to the film was mixed-to-positive; the plot, the cast's performances—particularly that of the lead actors—the screenplay, the cinematography, and the soundtrack were praised. The film won several accolades, including two Cinema Express Awards, one Filmfare Awards South, four National Film Awards, one Screen Awards, and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Plot

Priya is a

Rajiv Menon is one of the most acknowledged, talented cinematographer in India. He was born and brought up in Kerala, Kochi in a singing influential family as his mother Kalyani Menon was a famous Tamil and Malayali playback singer. From cinematography to script writing to Ad films making, Menon has excellence in every pursuit, On 5th, may 2006 he launched a filmmaking institute in Chennai called “Mind Screen Film Institute,” where the first specialized course to be offered is ‘Learning Cinematography.'

Rajiv Menon joined the Film and Television Institute of Chennai in 1981, to study cinematography. In 1984, he went to America to train under cinematographer Garret Brown, best known for his invention of the Stead cam. He started off his career with Ad making and then he became friends with music maestro A.R Rehman and together this duo has given jingles for the brands like Airtel, Raymonds, Coca-cola, later in early 90’s he started his career as a full-fledged cinematographer.

His breakthrough was Mani Ratnam’s great hit “BOMBAY” and after Bombay, Menon’s work just got appreciated, and accredited. He Joined with Mani Ratnam and worked as a cinematographer in Guru, and Kadal. He has also worked with critically acclaimed directors such as Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad. The movie Minsara Kanavu (1997) was his both directorial and acting debut as he has done a cameo role in the film. This movie was not just critically acclaimed, but also was a great commercial hit. This movie also bagged him the National Award and after this in the year (2000) he made his second film Kandokundain Kandokundain, which was a multi starter project starring Mammootty, Aishwarya Rai, Tabu and for this film he won the Filmfare Award for best Tamil Director.

Rajiv Menon’s production house “Rajiv Menon Productions” ranked 3rd in the Economic Times Mumbai’s House Ranking, who has produced projects like Ussele Ussele (2001) Tamil pop album and Rajasthan. His most recent

Rajiv Menon is an Indian advertising director, cinematographer, actor and film maker known for his works predominantly in Tamil cinema. He is known for directing critically acclaimed Tamil films like Minsara Kanavu and Kandukondain Kandukondain. As a cinematographer his accomplishments include works such as, Bombay, Morning Raga, Guru, Kadal, and Cheluvi.

Menon's first directorial venture Minsara Kanavu was not only a commercial success but also received four National Film Awards. His second directorial venture was the multi-starrer Kandukondain Kandukondain. In addition to directing the film, he also wrote the story and screenplay for the film. The film fetched him the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director award. Menon has also set up Rajiv Menon Productions and Mindscreen Film Institute, which supplies equipment for documentaries, advertising films and cinema. He has acted in a Malayalam film called Harikrishnans and has given a cameo in Minsara Kanavu.

More details at TMDb