G. Dhananjayan

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G. Dhananjayan
GD or DJ
Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Swarna Kamal Award for the Best Film Critic to Shri G. Dhananjayan
Born (1965-05-14) 14 May 1965 (age 56)
Senjiagaram Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationManagement Professional, Director - BOFTA Film Institute
Years active2006–present
Spouse(s)Lalitha Dhananjayan
ChildrenDL Revati DL Harita

G. Dhananjayan (born 14 May 1965) is a film producer, columnist, and author of four books on Indian films. He has produced films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi languages,[1] including Sankat City (2009), Kanden Kadhalai (2009), Mugamoodi (2012), Anjaan (2014) and Irudhi Suttru (2016). He has written as a columnist for Galatta Cinema, The Hindu Tamil and The Times of India.[2]

Education and work[]

Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Special Mention Certificate for “Pride of Tamil Cinema” (1931-2013) in the category of Best Writing on Cinema to the Author, Shri G. Dhananjayan, at the 62nd National Film Awards Function

GD holds MBA degree from Sydenham Institute of Management SIMSREE, University of Mumbai (1991 batch)[3] and earned his Ph.D degree from Mumbai University for his thesis on the Indian Film Industry in March 2019.

He worked in Asian Paints Ltd, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Saregama, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone for more than 15 years before joining Moser Baer Entertainment in 2006. Dhananjayan was company's Chief Operating Officer[4][5] of Home Video Business and then Chief Executive Officer of the Film Business.

GD was one of the two founding members of Moser Baer Entertainment, which was set up in April 2006. Within a span of 6 months, GD acquired the copyright/marketing rights for over 10,000 film titles in ten languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi to launch DVDs and VCDs under the banner of Moser Baer. This allows competition with unauthorised copies of DVDs typically sold for very low prices.[6]

GD was associated with UTV Motion Pictures (now called Disney-India) since January 2011 till February 2016 and was instrumental in producing number of films in South.

GD spends considerable time in interacting with students[7] of various Film Institutes across India. He also delivered speeches at IIT, NIT and other management institutes on film business. GD is invited to various forums and programs to speak on film business, management and many other topics. GD also pursues speaking in All India Radio on public interest topics on many occasions and participates in several Television channel debates on Cinema.

GD has also made documentaries on legendary filmmakers. His first documentary on Producer-Director-Writer Panchu Arunachalam titled 'A Creator with Midas Touch' which was selected and screened at Indian Panorama of International Film Festival, Goa (2016) received widespread appreciation. His second documentary on legendary directors Krishnan-Panju was selected and screened at Mumbai International Film Festival (2017) received critical acclaim.

Movie production[]

At Moser Baer Entertainment GD ventured into film production with "Shaurya" in Hindi and "Vellitherai" in Tamil. Moser Baer then produced "Sankat City" and "Hide & Seek" in Hindi, "Raman Thediya Seethai", "Poo", "Abhiyum Naanum","Kanden Kadhalai", "Aval Peyar Thamizharasi" and "Siddhu +2" with K. Bhagyaraj in Tamil and "Kaana Kanmani" in Malayalam in a span of two years.

At UTV Motion Pictures (now called Disney-India) GD had acquired and also produced films in Tamil and Malayalam. The first film, UTV marketed after his joining was Deiva Thirumagal which was a critically acclaimed movie. He was involved in producing, marketing and distributing films. Under his supervision UTV had co-produced in Tamil "Vettai" and Vazhakku Enn 18/9 with Director N. Lingusamy's Thirrupathi Brothers, Kalakalappu and "Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru" with Sundar C's Avni Cinemax, M.Saravanan—Vikram Prabhu' Ivan Veramathiri and Suriya's Anjaan with Director N. Lingusamy's Thirrupathi Brothers, and "Naan Sigappu Manithan" with Vishal Film Factory. GD had produced under UTV banner "Muran", "Mugamoodi" ,"Thaandavam","Settai","Sigaram Thodu", Director S.P.Jhananathan—Arya-Vijay Sethupathi's "Purampokku" and Director Vishnuvaradhan—Arya's "Yatchan" in Tamil. In Malayalam UTV had produced "Grandmaster" and "Husbands in Goa". In his last assignment with UTV, GD was involved in the marketing of Director Sudha Kongara and Madhavan's “Irudhi Suttru" in 2016.

GD is currently an independent consulting film producer and distributor. In 2018 he produced Tamil films Mr. Chandramouli[8][9] by Thiru (director), starring Karthik (actor), Gautham Karthik, Regina Cassandra, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Santhosh Prathap and others and Kaatrin Mozhi[10][11] by Radha Mohan, starring Jyothika, Vidharth, Lakshmi Manchu and others.

GD is known for his full involvement while producing the film with his director and observes carefully the way the movie is moulding in-shape without setbacks. Director Cheran once mentioned in an interview that producers should be like GD by visiting the shooting spots and being a part of the production process, so that they will know what hurdles the film crew is facing while making a movie.

Movie Distribution[]

GD has distributed the film “Zero" in 2016 under his production banner Blue Ocean Entertainment. In May 2017, he commenced his distribution company Creative Entertainers and Distributors and distributed the successful film “Ivan Thanthiran".[12][13] In 2018 GD distributed the film U Turn[14][15] starring Samantha Prabhu in Tamil Nadu, which became a success.

GD's recently distributed film is "Kolaigaran" [16] which was released on June 7, 2019 [17] and "Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban" which got released on November 27, 2020. Both the films were commercial successes.[18][19][20]

Writing career[]

GD is passionate about writing and has contributed several articles to Times of India, The Hindu Tamil, Dinathanthi Next, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Management, DNA, India Today and other publications.

GD has written a book about Tamil cinema titled The Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2010,[21][22][23] in English, which was released by Legendary Actor Kamal Haasan on 2 March 2011 in the presence of eminent film makers.[24] Super Star Rajinikanth personally appreciated the book by giving a memento for the fantastic research and writing on Tamil cinema.[25] The book has reached out to many universities worldwide and has become a reference point on Tamil cinema for many interested foreigners to know about Tamil cinema.

GD's second book was "Pride of Tamil Cinema", released in 2014.[26] The book was released at Indian Panorama, Goa in 2014 and it went on to win the National Award (Special Mention) for Best Writing on Cinema for the year 2014. The book is highly appreciated by the film industry for the impeccable documentation of the films.

GD's monthly column in 'Galatta Cinema' for two years was widely read by eminent personalities in South Indian Cinema and was appreciated for his professional contribution to South Cinema. His article series in Tamil newspaper 'The Hindu' was widely read and appreciated for the valuable contribution he is doing by enlightening the readers on the happenings in Tamil cinema and the changes required. His collection of Tamil articles was published by 'The Hindu' under the title ‘Vellithirayin Vetri Manthirangal’ which is today one of the best sellers from their publication.

GD's fourth book titled 'The Art and Business of Cinema(ABC)' was released in December 2017 comprising nearly 100 articles that explains the various art and business facets of cinema. The collection of articles in this book is a must read for interested filmmakers to understand the challenges in the industry and what to keep in mind to deliver a film successfully.[27][2]

GD's series of articles in various newspapers won him his second National Award as the Best Critic of the year 2016.[28][29]

In 2021, Dhananjayan was named the head of Tamil content and digital business for SonyLIV.[30]

Filmography[]

At Moser Baer Entertainment as the Producer or Co-Producer

Also associated with Abhiyum Naanum (2008) and Mayilu (2012) in funding the project to Prakash Raj's Duet Movies.

At Disney-UTV as the Associate Producer

As Producer – Creative Entertainers

As Actor

As Distributor

Documentary films

Books[]

  • Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2010 (2 Volumes)[21][22][23]
  • Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013[26]
  • Vellithirayin Vetri Manthirangal (in Tamil)
  • The Art and Business of Cinema (ABC)[27][2][35]

Awards[]

References[]

  1. ^ "GD helps Disney-UTV establish credentials in south business". Box office India. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Nathan, Archana (28 January 2018). "What Kollywood needs to do better: 'Don't release six films on the same day, create more heroes'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Guest Leacture by Dhanajayan Govind in SIMSREE". 17 August 2010.
  4. ^ Ravikumar, R. (10 March 2009). "Ten films in Moser Baer's production kitty for 2009". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 June 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Moser Baer joins Duet Movies for film production". The Hindu. 5 September 2007. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  6. ^ "We want to be India's best entertainment company". rediff news. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  7. ^ "Guest Lecture by Dhananjayan Govind". pragyan.org. NIT Trichy.
  8. ^ https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/g-dhananjayan-thanks-team-mr-chandramouli.html
  9. ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/nov/22/mr-chandramouli--to-get-started-1708521.html
  10. ^ https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/watch-simbu-compliments-jyothikas-sultry-hello-kaatrin-mozhi-trailer-91228
  11. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/jyothika-wraps-up-radha-mohan-kaatrin-mozhi-tumhari-sulu-remake-1298746-2018-07-28
  12. ^ "G Dhananjayan gets distribution right of Ivan Thandhiran". 29 May 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  13. ^ "National Award Winner Dhananjayan Govind turns distributor with Ivan Thanthiran". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  14. ^ https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/g-dhananjayan-to-distribute-samanthas-u-turn-in-tamil-nadu.html
  15. ^ https://silverscreen.in/news/makers-of-big-budget-films-have-a-monopolistic-attitude-says-producer-g-dhananjayan/
  16. ^ https://top10cinema.com/article/49480/distribution-rights-of-kolaikaaran-have-been-bagged-by-a-famous-production-banner
  17. ^ https://tamil.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-ta/vijay-antonys-kolaigaran-tamilnadu-theatrical-rights-acquired-by-dhananjayans-bofta.html
  18. ^ https://www.onlykollywood.com/dhananjayans-creative-entertainers-distributors-acquires-all-rights-to-kavalthurai-ungal-nanban/
  19. ^ https://www.indiaglitz.com/kavalthurai-ungal-nanban-movie-distributed-by-g-dhananjayan-news-252310
  20. ^ https://ttncinema.com/kavalthurai-ungal-nanban-screened-across-several-theatres-in-chennai/
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Best of Tamil Cinema, launched in style". sify.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b Nadu, Tamil (5 January 2011). "Chronicling the legacy of Tamil cinema". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 January 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b Venkateswaran, N (20 March 2011). "The chronicler of Kollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  24. ^ "THE BEST OF TAMIL CINEMA 1931–2010 released by Dr Kamal". CNN. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  25. ^ "Rajinikanth appreciates Dhananjayan's book". sify.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b tabloid!, Mythily Ramachandran, Special to (4 December 2014). "'Pride of Tamil Cinema,' a treat for film buffs". Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b "Art and Business of Cinema".
  28. ^ "National Award on Best Critic". pib.nic.in.
  29. ^ "Indian Express List of National Awards".
  30. ^ Jha, Lata (11 June 2021). "SonyLIV appoints G. Dhananjayan as head of Tamil content". mint. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  31. ^ Srinivasan, Sudhir (26 March 2016). "The man who made Rajinikanth". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  32. ^ https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-documentary-on-panchu-arunachalam-veteran-screenwriter-and-producer-in-tamil-cinema/article8399359.ece
  33. ^ "Documentary on pioneers of Indian cinema launched". DT Next. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  34. ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/apr/05/producer-writer-g-dhananjayan-next-project-on--legendary-director-duo-of-krishnan-panju-1590335.html
  35. ^ https://scroll.in/reel/865687/what-kollywood-needs-to-do-better-dont-release-six-films-on-the-same-day-create-more-heroes
  36. ^ "62nd National Film Awards announced". Press Information Bureau (Press release). 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  37. ^ "Producer Dhananjayan thanks the press for his National Award". 7 April 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2018.

External links[]

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