P. Neelakantan

P. Neelakantan Biography

P. Neelakantan was a noted director associated with Tamil films, who spent four decades in the industry since late 1940s. He was associated with music composer M. S. Viswanathan throughout his movies in the 1970s. Prior to it he associated with K. V. Mahadevan, T. R. Pappa, T. G. Lingappa, G. Ramanathan etc. After working as an assistant director in the late 1940s, he made his film debut as an independent director with the film - Oru Iravu in 1951. Prior to his film entry he was associated with theatre and his play Naam Iruvar opened his doors to films.

Known for his successful association with MGR, they worked together in 17 Tamil movies. As a film director, his memorable films include - Chakravarthy Thirumagal (1957), Nallavan Vazhvan (1961), Thirudathe (1961), Koduthu Vaithaval (1963), Kavalkaran (1967), Kannan En Kathalan (1968), Kanavan (1968), Mattukara Velan (1970), En Annan (1970), Kumarikottam (1971), Neerum Neruppum (1971), Oru Thai Makkal (1971), Sange Muzhangu (1972), Raman Thedia Seethai (1972), Netru Indru Naalai (1974), Ninaithathai Mudipavan (1975) and Neethikku Thalaivanangu (1976).

He was born at Villupuram, Tamil Nadu on 2 October 1916. He started his illustrious journey through stage plays in the 1940s. His noted play, Naam Iruvar was made into a film by Avichi Meiyappa Chettiar in 1947. Very soon he wrote dialogues for one Tamil film - Vedala Ulagam in 1948. Associated with film industry in 1947, he worked as an assistant director under M. V. Raman for the movies, Naam Iruvar, Vedhala Ulagam and Vazhkai. In 1951 he made his directorial debut with Oru Iravu and stayed in the industry till 1981. Deiva Thirumanangal – was his last release. He passed away on 3 September 1992 in Chennai aged 75.

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Updated: February 20, 2016