G. Dhananjayan

G. Dhananjayan (born 14 May 1965) is an Indian film producer, two-time National Award Winner, columnist, author of four books, founder-dean of BOFTA Film Institute.[1] He was instrumental in producing a number of films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi languages.[2] Dhananjayan received the 'Doctor of Philosophy Degree' (Ph.D) for his thesis on Indian Film Industry in March 2019.[3]

G. Dhananjayan
Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Swarna Kamal Award for the Best Film Critic to Shri G. Dhananjayan
Born (1965-05-14) 14 May 1965
Senjiagaram Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationFilm Producer, Distributor, Founder-Dean of BOFTA Film Institute[1]
Years active2006–present
Spouse(s)Lalitha Dhananjayan
ChildrenDL Revati DL Harita

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[4] SIMSREE, University of Mumbai (1991 batch). 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[5][6] 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 10 key languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi etc. to launch DVDs and VCDs under the banner of Moser Baer. Thus, the company revolutionised the Home Entertainment market in January 2007, with the launch of DVDs/VCDs at an economical consumer prices of Rs. 28 (VCDs) and Rs. 34 (DVDs) and redefined the way the consumer looked at this segment. This helped the consumers to start collecting the films for creating their own library.

Movie production

At Moser Baer Entertainment GD ventured into film production with "Shaurya" in Hindi and "Vellitherai" in Tamil. There after, Moser Baer produced and released "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.

GD was associated with UTV Motion Pictures (now called Disney-India) since January 2011 till February 2016.[7] At UTV 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, which went on to become a huge success.

GD is currently an independent 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, which went on to become a critical and commercial success.

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

Contributions to film industry

GD took the initiative of buying the video rights of several popular Tamil movies, other south Indian movies and mass marketing it as DVDs and VCDs at economical price at Moser Baer. Because of this initiative, several old Tamil movies were available in DVDs and VCDs at economical price with best quality. This was done to compete with unauthorised copies of DVDs typically sold for very low prices.[21]

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.

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,[22][23][24] in English, which was released by Legendary Actor Kamal Haasan on 2 March 2011 in the presence of eminent film makers.[25] Super Star Rajinikanth personally appreciated the book by giving a memento for the fantastic research and writing on Tamil cinema.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28][29]

GD spends considerable time in interacting with students[30] 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 is the founder–dean of BOFTA Film Institute,[1] Tamil Nadu's leading film institute, based at Chennai.

GD's series of articles in various newspapers won him his second National Award as the Best Critic of the year 2016.[31][32] He has also earned his Ph.D on the Film Industry from Mumbai University.

GD started making 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.

Dhananjayan has launched India's First Ever Film Consultancy Firm named CEAD FILM CONSULTANCY on 14th September 2020 with the participation of 10 Experts from the film industry to provide comprehensive film consultancy service covering all aspects of film business to new and current Producers and Filmmakers. [33][34][35][36][37]

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 Written by G.Dhananjayan
  • Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2010 (2 Volumes)[22][23][24]
  • Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013[27]
  • Vellithirayin Vetri Manthirangal (in Tamil)
  • The Art and Business of Cinema (ABC)[28][29][42]

Awards

References
  1. "Best Chennai Film Institute / Film School – BOFTA – Blue Ocean Film and Television Academy". Blue Ocean Film and Television Academy. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  2. "GD helps Disney-UTV establish credentials in south business". Box office India. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/how-china-has-managed-to-beat-india-at-the-bo/articleshow/68705066.cms
  4. "Guest Leacture by Dhanajayan Govind in SIMSREE". 17 August 2010.
  5. 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.
  6. "Moser Baer joins Duet Movies for film production". The Hindu. 5 September 2007. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  7. "Dhanajayan joins UTV". sify.com. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  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. "We want to be India's best entertainment company". rediff news. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  22. "The Best of Tamil Cinema, launched in style". sify.com. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  23. Nadu, Tamil (5 January 2011). "Chronicling the legacy of Tamil cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  24. Venkateswaran, N (20 March 2011). "The chronicler of Kollywood". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  25. "THE BEST OF TAMIL CINEMA 1931–2010 released by Dr Kamal". CNN. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  26. "Rajinikanth appreciates Dhananjayan's book". sify.com. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  27. tabloid!, Mythily Ramachandran, Special to (4 December 2014). "'Pride of Tamil Cinema,' a treat for film buffs". Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  28. "Art and Business of Cinema".
  29. "What kollywood needs to do better".
  30. "Guest Lecture by Dhananjayan Govind". pragyan.org. NIT Trichy.
  31. "National Award on Best Critic". pib.nic.in.
  32. "Indian Express List of National Awards".
  33. "Creative Entertainers and Distributors | CEAD Film Consultancy | Chennai". CEAD. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  34. V, NARAYANAN. "Now, rope in experts for support in the film-making process". @businessline. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  35. "Producer Dhananjayan's CEAD Film Consultancy gets a warm welcome". Sify. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  36. "CEAD: Tamil producer's one-stop shop for all film consulting services!". www.moviecrow.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  37. "Producer Dhananjayan's CEAD Film Consultancy offers a comprehensive service for new producers!". Only Kollywood. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  38. Srinivasan, Sudhir (26 March 2016). "The man who made Rajinikanth". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  39. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-documentary-on-panchu-arunachalam-veteran-screenwriter-and-producer-in-tamil-cinema/article8399359.ece
  40. "Documentary on pioneers of Indian cinema launched". DT Next. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  41. http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/apr/05/producer-writer-g-dhananjayan-next-project-on--legendary-director-duo-of-krishnan-panju-1590335.html
  42. https://scroll.in/reel/865687/what-kollywood-needs-to-do-better-dont-release-six-films-on-the-same-day-create-more-heroes
  43. "62nd National Film Awards announced". Press Information Bureau (Press release). 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  44. "Producer Dhananjayan thanks the press for his National Award". 7 April 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
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