Rajesh Touchriver

Rajesh Touchriver was born in Arakulam, Idukki district, Kerala, India as the youngest son of Mr Siva Sankaran Nair and Mrs Rukmini Amma. He had some early training in Kalaripayattu. He took his bachelor's degree in Design and Direction from the School of Drama and Fine Arts in 1992, Trissur, Kerala.

Rajesh's debut film In the Name of Buddha (2002) was premiered at the Oslo International Film Festival and won critical acclaim. Controversial in theme, the film is a treatment[9] of the ethnic conflict then raging in Sri Lanka. The film was screened at international film festivals in 2003 and won the Best Foreign Film award at the Beverly Hills International Film Festival, the Newport Beach International Film Festival and at the Wine Country International Film Festival in the same year.[2] Rajesh directed two Telugu films in the interim: 10 the Strangers and Alex, the Blue Fox.[10][11] In 2013, he directed the Malayalam film Ente. Its Telugu version "Naa Bangaaru Talli" won the national film award for the Best Feature Film in Telugu in 2013, Best Feature Film Award at the 2013 Trinity International Film Festival[12] and Film maker of the Year and Award of Excellence from IFFCRM, Indonesia in 2013,[13] and Nandi Awards 2013 from the Andhra Pradesh Government.

Rajesh has made several short films and documentaries on human trafficking, HIV/AIDS and communal riots that support the media advocacy initiatives of the United Nations and NGOs, national and international. His film for the United Nations, One Life, No Price for social sensitisation against human trafficking was well received by civil society organisations internationally. Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta and John Abraham appear in the film as spokespersons for the cause.[14]

Anamika, the Nameless on a similar theme which was shot in the red light areas of India in Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune and Delhi,[15] won the AC award under the "Best Foreign Award – Documentary Short Film" category[16] and the Best Documentary Film Award at the Hyderabad International Film Festival. The film has been included in the curriculum of National Police Academy and National Judicial Academy.[17]

The Sacred Face, a short film on child sexual abuse, sent the audience back home unsettled at its screening in Hyderabad.[18]

Following the success of in the Name of Buddha, Rajesh directed the music video for "Sunshowers" for Maya Arulpragasam (M.I.A.). He directed "Ente Malayalam", for the Manorama Music channel to commemorate the 50th year of Kerala formation.

• In the Name of Buddha (150 mins, English/Sinhalese/Tamil/Hindi, 35mm anamorphic, 2002)
• 10-The Strangers (125 mins, Telugu, Hindi, 35mm anamorphic, 2005)
• Alex-The Blue Fox (160 mins, Telugu, 35 mm anamorphic, 2005)
• Naa Bangaaru Talli (125 mins, Telugu, 35mm anamorphic, 2013)
• Ente (125 mins, Malayalam, 35mm anamorphic, 2013)
• Raktham – The Blood ( 123 mins, Telugu, 2019)
• Patnagarh (135 mins, Telugu, 2019)
• Patnagarh (135 mins, Odia, 2019)[14]

[15]

• Cyanide (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada)- 2020, Under preproduction

• THE SILENT CRY (12 mins, English, 2017)
• The Sacred Face (13 mins, English, 2006)
• Pehachan (14 mins, Hindi, 2008)
• Needalu (Shadows) (14 mins, Telugu, 2009)
• Main Aur Meri Sachaien (13 mins, Hindi, 2009)

• SWARAKSHA – (20 mins, English, HD, 2017)
• TO INFINITY AND BEYOND – Govt of Telangana & Govt of Andhra Pradesh(30 mins, English, HD, 2015)
• Synergy in Action – (20 mins, English, HD, 2007)
• One Life No Price – (9 mins, English, HD, 2007)
• The Man, His Mission – (11 mins, English, DV, 2006)
• Aparajitha – (26 mins, English, DV, 2006)
• Anamika – The Nameless – (26 mins, English/Hindi/Telugu, Oriya, Kannada, DV, 2005)
• Building Bridges – (11 mins, English, DV, 2004)
• Me and Us – (24 mins, English, DV, 2004)
• Agni – (34 mins, Hindi, DV, 2004)
• Shanti Ki Aur – (30 mins, Hindi, DV, 2004)
• A Chance to Live – (30 mins, English, DV, 2004)
• Dahan – (34 mins, Hindi, DV, 2004)
• Astha-An Ode to Life – (26 mins, English, DV, 2004)
• Of Freedom and Fear – (30 mins, English/Telugu, DV, 2003)
• Bhagnagar – (15 mins, Hindi, DV, 2003)

• "Sunshowers" for MIA XL Recording, London, UK (3 mins, English, Super 16 mm, 2004)
• "Hire Fire" for Prajwala (music album containing six 4 mins songs against human trafficking, Hindi/Telugu, DV, 2004)[16]

• Ente Malayalam – 50 yrs celebration of formation of Kerala state (2 mins, Malayalam, 35 mm, 2006) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYY3QV19gqg
• Whose Child ? – (30 secs, Telugu, DV, 2004)
• Why? – (30 secs, Telugu, DV, 2004)
• Reach Out – (30 secs, Telugu, DV, 2004)

• Quicksand – (English, 35mm, 2001)
• Student #1 – (Telugu, 35mm, 2001)
• Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu – (Telugu, 35mm, 2002)
• Manasantha Nuvve – (Telugu, 35mm, 2001)
• Iddaru Mitralu – (Telugu, 35mm, 1999)
• Kalisundaam Raa – (Telugu, 35mm, 1999)

The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, Ohio, USA

• Best Foreign Feature Film – RAKTHAM (The Blood) (2017)[19]
• Best Cinematography – Ramathulasi RAKTHAM (The Blood) (2017)[19]
• Best Overall Feature Film – Peoples Choice – RAKTHAM (The Blood) (2017)[19]

National Film Awards

• National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Na Bangaaru Talli (2013)
• National Film Award for Best Music Direction (Background Score) to Shantanu Moitra - Na Bangaaru Talli (2013)
• Special Mention - Actress Anjali Patil - Na Bangaaru Talli (2013)

Nandi Awards (Govt of Andhra Pradesh State Awards)

• Best Feature Film - Na Bangaaru Talli (2013)
• Best Actress - Actress Anjali Patil - Na Bangaaru Talli (2013)
• Special Mention - Actor Siddique - Na Bangaaru Talli (2013)

International Awards

• Best actor Award LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV – 2019
• Best Music – Background score Award LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV – 2019
• Best director (Regional cinema) RAJASTHAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – 2018

• Best foreign feature film Award - CROSSING THE SCREEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2017
• Best feature film- AUDIENCE AWARD – INDE GATHERING INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL- 2017
• Best Film maker of the Year Award IFFCRM, Jakarta, Indonesia – 2013
• Award of Excellence from IFFCRM, Indonesia – 2013[2]
• Best Feature Film Award Trinity International Film Festival – 2013
• Best Documentary Film Award Hyderabad International Film Festival – 2008
• Best Editing Award Festival De Cine De Granada – 2007
• Best Foreign Documentary film Award Action Cut International Film Festival 2006
• Best outstanding Alumnus Award – School of Drama- 2003
• Best Film Award Wine country International Film Festival- 2003
• Best Film Award New port Beach International Film Festival – 2003
• Best foreign film Award Beverly Hills International Film Festival- 2003
• The Charles Wallace India Trust Award.- 2001[17][18]

• Best Original Screenplay of a Foreign Language film (RAKTHAM- THE BLOOD) – Madrid International Film Festival – 2018
• Best Foreign Language Feature Film (NAA BANGAARU TALLI) – Madrid International Film Festival – 2018
• Best Editing of a Foreign Language Feature Film (RAKTHAM – THE BLOOD) – Madrid International Film Festival -2018
• Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Feature film (NAA BANGAARU TALLI) – Madrid International Film Festival -2018
• Best Original Score of a Feature Film (RAKTHAM – THE BLOOD) – Madrid International Film Festival -2018
• Best Feature Film (RAKTHAM – THE BLOOD) – The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, Ohio, USA – 2017
• Best Director (RAKTHAM – THE BLOOD) – The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, Ohio, USA – 2017
• Best Feature Lead Actor (RAKTHAM – THE BLOOD) – The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, Ohio, USA – 2017
• Best Feature Lead Actress (RAKTHAM – THE BLOOD) – The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, Ohio, USA – 2017

• Madrid International Film Festival – 2018 (RAKTHAM- THE BLOOD)
• Beijing International Film Festival, China – 2014
• Myrtle Beach International Film Festival, USA – 2014
• Indian Film Festival of Ireland – 2014
• Asia Pacific Screen Awards – 2014
• 20th Kolkata International Film Festival – 2014
• Kolhapuri International Film Festival – 2014
• Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati – 2014
• Hyderabad Bengali Film Festival – 2014
• Cinema of Resistance – Darpana, Ahmedabad – 2014
• Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival – 2014
• IFFK (International Film Festival of Kerala) – 2003
• Festival of Festivals, St. Petersburg – 2003
• Asian Film festival of Dallas – 2003
• Human Rights Film Festival – 3 Continents – 2003
• Durban International Film Festival – 2003
• Oslo International Film Festival – 2002
• Cannes International Film Festival – 2002

• PATNAGARH
• THE BLOOD
• In the Name of Buddha
• NAA BANGAARU TALLI

• Official website