C. Rudhraiya

C. Rudhraiya Biography

C. Rudhraiya was a famous and acclaimed film director and screenwriter associated with Tamil cinema. He directorial debut movie Aval Appadithan (1978) starring Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth opened to critical acclaim. It was the first film made by a graduate of the M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute, where Rudhraiya did his diploma course. The movie was co-scripted by debutant K. Rajeshwar, who was a junior at his college. K. Rajeshwar also later went on to become a film director. C. Rudhraiya’s real name is Rudraiah Chockalingam, and was also known by the names, Arumugam and Arukutty. He was also known as a producer in the industry. He passed away on 18 November 2014, aged 67.

Rudraiah Chockalingam, better known as Rudhraiya in the film industry was born on July 25, 1947. He completed his graduation from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli and did a diploma in film direction from Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. He wanted to directed movies. In 1978 he made Aval Appadithan, his first full-fledged film. The movie was entirely different from normal Tamil masala entertainers, and hence his work was well-appreciated. A film ahead of time, Aval Appadithan is considered as a milestone in Tamil film history. The film was produced by Ragamanjari in association with the M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute.

Gramathu Athiyayam (1980) was his second and final release. C. Rudhraiya had his own style of filmmaking, quite different from usual masala entertainers. For the same reason he couldn’t cope up with new style of filmmaking. Though he started off with many projects, they got shelved for one reason or another. Raja Ennai Mannithuvidu and Kadalpurathil are among his incomplete projects.

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Updated: June 28, 2018