Agathiyan
Introduction '''Agathiyan''' (born 18 August 1952; ) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, lyricist, and actor. He was the first director in Tamil cinema to win the National Film Award for Best Direction for ''Kadhal Kottai'' (1996). For the film, he also won National Film Award for Best Screenplay and Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil.
Career Agathiyan, a director in his late forties entered films a decade back and struggled as an assistant to various directors. Hailing from a agriculturist family, he spent a happy-go-lucky time in college, and when he decided to pack his bags and come to Chennai to try his luck in films as a director, he lost his family's support. Struggling with no money, he did odd jobs in film companies and became an assistant to anyone who offered him food and shelter.He initially directed movie in 1991 and was credited as Ravi Thasan but it was unsuccessful. Anbalaya Prabhakaran, who acted in that movie and also produces small budgeted films with new directors, gave Ahahtian his second break as a director with ''Madhumathi'', a teenage love story with new faces. The film was a big hit. He was back to where he started, but again fate had bigger things in store for him. Sivasakthi Pandian, a film distributor turned producer, produced ''Vaanmathi'' with Ajith and Swathi. The film was a hit. Next came ''Kadhal Kottai'' from the same banner and Ahahtian became the toast of the industry. Offers poured in for films.In late 2014, he began work on an untitled project produced by Bharathiraja starring Santhosh Prathap, Oviya, Vijayalakshmi and Manoj Bharathiraja, but the film was later shelved. He have served as jury member at 57th National Film Awards.
Personal life He married Radha in 1978.His elder daughter Kani (Karthika), host of Makkal TV, is married to film director Thiru. Kani Thiru is a winner of Vijay TV's ''Cook With Comali'' (Season 2). His second daughter Vijayalakshmi Agathiyan is an actress and is married to film director Feroz. His younger daughter Niranjani Ahathian is a costume designer and actress who is married to director Desingh Periyasamy.
Filmography ;Films Year Film Credited as Role Notes Director Writer Producer Actor1989''Manasukketha Maharasa''    Credited as Karunanidhi Santharam in the film1991''Mangalyam Thanthunane''    Credited as Ravi Thasan in the film 1992  ''Pondatti Rajyam''         1993  ''Madhumathi''          1996  ''Vaanmathi''          1996  ''Kadhal Kottai''         Cameo   1996  ''Gokulathil Seethai''        Cameo  1997  ''Vidukathai''       1998  ''Santhosham''          1998  ''Kaadhal Kavithai''         1999  ''Sirf Tum''         Hindi film 2001  ''Hum Ho Gaye Aapke''          Hindi film 1999  ''Poovellam Kettuppar''        Himself 2001  ''Vinnukkum Mannukkum''      Cameo 2002  ''Kadhal Samrajyam''        Unreleased film 2004  ''Ramakrishna''          2004  ''Ee Abbai Chala Manchodu''           Telugu film; credited as Agastyan  2005  ''Selvam''          2007  ''Agaram''        Thiru's father 2008  ''Nenjathai Killadhe''          2011  ''Avargalum Ivargalum''        2011  ''Maithanam''         2018  ''Mr. Chandramouli''        ===Television=== Year Serial Channel Notes2005''Pugazh''  DD Podhigai
Discography ;As lyricist Year Film Song(s) Notes1996 ''Kadhal Kottai'' All songs 1996''Gokulathil Seethai'' All songs1997''Vidukathai''Idhayam Idhayam, Meenakshi Kaiyil, Kidaichuruchu1998 ''Santhosham'' All songs 2002 ''Kadhal Samrajyam'' All songs 2004''Ramakrishna'' All songs2005 ''Selvam'' All songs 2008''Nenjathai Killathe'' All songs2020''Meendum Oru Mariyathai'' Kozhandhan Peru
Awards ;National Film Awards* 1997 – Best Direction – ''Kadhal Kottai''* 1997 – Best Screenplay – ''Kadhal Kottai''* 1997 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil – ''Kadhal Kottai'';Filmfare Awards South* 1997 – Best Director – ''Kadhal Kottai'';Tamil Nadu State Film Awards* 1996 – Best Director – ''Kadhal Kottai''
References
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