Viswanathan Ravichandran

V. Ravichandran, is an Indian film producer and distributor in Chennai, India. He is the founder and owner of the production and distribution company, Aascar Films Pvt. Ltd.[1][2] Ravichandran started his venture in 1998 with the co-production of Kadhalukku Mariyadhai. He went on to produce many large-scale Tamil language films and distribute a number of English films across South India.

Ravichandran
Born
Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesAascar Ravichandran
OccupationProducer
Years active1978–present

Early life

He was born in Vellore and completed his graduation from Voorhees College, Vellore. His brothers own smaller production companies, Celebrity Pictures and Viswas Pictures. He started distributing films since he was 16 years old as he was the son of a leading distributor in Vellore.

Career

Prior to making his name as a film producer, Ravichandran had been a leading film distributor in Tamil cinema since the late 1970s and gained attention through the distribution of Jackie Chan films across Tamil Nadu.[3] Ravichandran made his debut as a producer in cinema through Fazil's romantic drama film Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), which he co-produced with Sangili Murugan. Though Fazil offered him the opportunity to produce the Malayalam version of the film first, Ravichandran refused because he wanted his first venture to be in Tamil. The film went on to become one of the most successful films of the year, while his second venture, Vikraman's family drama Vaanathaippola (2000), received similar commercial success.[3] His third and fourth films, Ezhil's family drama Poovellam Un Vasam (2001) and Sasi's romantic film Roja Koottam (2002), were also highly profitable ventures.

In 2012, Ravichandran and director Shankar began work on the romantic thriller film, I (2015), featuring Vikram in the lead role. En route to becoming one of the most expensive Tamil films of all time, I took three years to complete, with over ten thousand people involved in the making of the film.[4] The team also subsequently held a grand audio launch event with Arnold Schwarzenegger being brought in as chief guest for the event, and I released shortly after, becoming a profitable venture.[5]

In the media

Ravichandran actively avoids being photographed and prefers to remain incognito at the promotional events of his films. In an interview with Behindwoods.com, he revealed that there were no photographers at his wedding and that in family photos, only his wife would appear with his children.[4]

Filmography

Production

YearTitleLanguageNotes
1997Kadhalukku MariyadhaiTamilCo-producer
2000Vanathai PolaTamil
2001Poovellam Un VasamTamil
2002EzhumalaiTamil
Roja KootamTamil
RamanaTamil
En Mana VaanilTamil
2003Jay JayTamil
ManasellamTamil
2004ThendralTamil
2005AnniyanTamil
2006ParijathamTamil
Thalai NagaramTamil
DishyumTamil
RenduTamil
2007MaruthamalaiTamil
Unnale UnnaleTamil
Pachaikili MuthucharamTamil
2008DasavathaaramTamil
Vaaranam AayiramTamil
2009Ananda TandavamTamil
2011LeelaiTamil
Lucky JokersMalayalam
VelayudhamTamil
2013MaryanTamil
2014VallinamTamil
Thirumanam Ennum NikkahTamil
2015ITamil
BhoolohamTamil25th Film
2018Vishwaroopam II/Vishwaroop IITamil/HindiCo-producer

Distribution

YearTitle
1978Drunken Master
1982Dragon Lord
First Blood
1983Project A
Winners and Sinners
1984Wheels on Meals
1985Police Story
Rambo: First Blood Part II
The Emerald Forest
The Protector
1986Armour of God
1987Predator
Project A Part II
1988Bloodsport
Police Story 2
Rambo III
1989Kickboxer
1990Lionheart
Total Recall
1991Armour of God II: Operation Condor
Double Impact
Once Upon a Time in China
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
1992Once Upon a Time in China II
Police Story 3: Super Cop
Twin Dragons
Universal Soldier
1993City Hunter
Crime Story
Jurassic Park
1994Drunken Master II
True Lies
1995GoldenEye
Rumble in the Bronx
Thunderbolt
1996Black Mask
Police Story 4: First Strike
The Quest
1997Anaconda
Double Team
Mr. Nice Guy
1998Rush Hour
Who Am I?
1999Gorgeous
Universal Soldier: The Return
2000Shanghai Noon
2001The Accidental Spy
Replicant
Rush Hour 2
The Mummy Returns
2002Hero
2003Shanghai Knights
The Medallion
The Order
The Twins Effect
2004Miracle
2007Hitman
Spider-Man 3
2008Kung Fu Panda
2010The Expendables
The Karate Kid
Moscowin Kavery
2012The Amazing Spider-Man
Skyfall
2013My Lucky Star
2014Into the Storm
2015Furious 7
Jurassic World
San Andreas
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Mad Max: Fury Road

References

  1. Viswanathan Ravichandran corporate information - http://corporatedir.com/officer/02175468 Profile at Corporate Directory
  2. Company Wiki - AASCAR FILM PRIVATE LIMITED - http://www.companywiki.in/wiki/aascar-film-private-limited.html. List of Directors and Company Registration info at Company Wiki
  3. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". 23 August 2004. Archived from the original on 23 August 2004.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. "An interview with the producer of 'I', Aascar Films Ravichandran".
  5. "Arnold Schwarzenegger: 'I' event one of the best I have seen". 24 September 2014.
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