Sadagopan (better known as Chitralaya Gopu) is an Indian screenwriter and director who works in the Tamil cinema. He has written nearly 60 films, and directed 27 of them.[2] He scripted dramatic films such as Moondru Dheivangal and Shanti Nilayam and comedies such as Kadhalikka Neramillai, Galatta Kalyanam, Patti Sollai Thattathe and Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa.[3]

Chitralaya Gopu
சித்ராலயா கோபு
Gopu at the play "Chocolate Krishna" in 2015
Born
Sadagopan

(1931-07-02) 2 July 1931 (age 92)[1]
Occupation(s)Writer, director
Years active1959–1990
SpouseKamala
Children4

Career

edit

C. V. Sridhar and Sadagopan were childhood friends since their schooldays in St. Joseph's High School, Chengalpattu.[4] Both were playwrights; Sridhar wrote stage plays and played the hero while Sadagopan wrote the humorous parts and played the comedian.[5] Later, when Sridhar had the opportunity to direct a film, he asked Sadagopan to join him and produce the comedy track.[6][7] The film Kalyana Parisu (1959) was a hit and Sridhar started his own production house, Chitralaya.[4][8] Sadagopan became popularly known as 'Chitralaya' Gopu.[9]

He received the Kalaimamani Award from Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa in 1992.[citation needed]

He directed and acted in television forays, such as Washingtonil Thirumanam, which was shot in the U.S.[citation needed]

Personal life

edit

Gopu is married to Kamala, a novelist.[5] They have four sons.[10][11]

Partial filmography

edit
Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Writer
1959 Kalyana Parisu  N  Y
1962 Nenjil Or Aalayam  N  Y
1964 Kadhalikka Neramillai  N  Y
1964 Kalai Kovil  N  Y
1966 Pyar Kiye Jaa  N  Y Remake of Kadhalikka Neramillai
1966 Kodimalar  N  Y
1967 Nenjirukkum Varai  N  Y
1967 Ooty Varai Uravu  N  Y
1967 Anubavam Pudhumai  N  Y
1968 Galatta Kalyanam  N  Y
1969 Shanti Nilayam  N  Y
1970 Veettuku Veedu  N  Y
1971 Moondru Deivangal  N  Y
1971 Sumathi En Sundari  N  Y
1971 Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa  N  Y
1972 Kasethan Kadavulada  Y  Y
1974 Athaiya Mamiya  Y  Y
1974 Penn Ondru Kanden  Y  Y
1974 Galate Samsara  N  Y
1977 Kalamadi Kalam  Y  Y
1977 Rasi Nalla Rasi  Y  Y
1979 Alankari  Y  Y
1979 Asaikku Vayasillai  Y  Y
1979 Dhairyalakshmi  Y  Y
1984 Raja Veettu Kannukkutty  N  Y
1985 Thanga Mama 3D  N  Y
1985 Vellai Manasu  Y  Y
1985 Thendrale Ennai Thodu  N  Y
1988 Vasanthi  Y  Y
1988 Paatti Sollai Thattathe  N  Y
1989 Dilli Babu  Y  Y
1990 Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga  N  Y Last film[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Happy 80th birthday, Chitralaya Gopu!". The New Indian Express. 2 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Happy 80th birthday, Chitralaya Gopu!". IBN Live. 4 July 2011. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  3. ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (18 February 2010). "In relaxed mood – 'Chitralaya' Gopu". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b Srinivasan, Meera (21 October 2008). "Veteran film director Sridhar dead". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Rangarajan, Malathi (10 July 2009). "Looking back with a smile". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  6. ^ Ashok Kumar, S.R. (20 November 2005). "'Chithralaya' Gopu, proprietor of Mannar & Co, Oho Productions". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  7. ^ Parthasarathy, Anusha (24 November 2010). "Memories of Madras: Heaven on earth". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Sridhar – The man with the midas touch". The Hindu. PTI. 21 October 2008. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
  9. ^ Narayanan, Sujatha (3 March 2019). "Thamizh Talkies: When the pen isn't thought to be mighty". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  10. ^ Balasubramanian, V. (18 February 2016). "An account of family ties". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  11. ^ Rekhs (29 June 2012). "Gopu Is Gold". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
edit