J. Mahendran

Writing

J. Mahendran

Born 1939-07-25 · Ilaiyangudi, Madras Presidency, British India

J. Alexander, known professionally as Mahendran, was an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his work in the Tamil film industry. Mahendran is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Tamil cinema and has influenced numerous filmmakers, writers and actors after him. After entering the film industry as a screenwriter, writing scripts for nearly 26 films, including the widely influential Thangappathakkam (1974), he made an immediate impact with his first directional venture Mullum Malarum (1978), starring Rajinikanth. Uthiripookkal (1979), Mahendran's next film, was based on a short story written by Pudumaipithan, and firmly established him as an important filmmaker in Tamil cinema. His subsequent works, such as Johnny (1980) and Nenjathai Killathe (1980), were acclaimed, with the latter winning three National Film Awards including the award for the Best Regional Film.

Acting credits

Theri poster
6.8

When an honest cop, Vijay Kumar's family is ruthlessly slaughtered by a politician and his aides, he decides to change his identity and commits his life to bring his daughter up in a serene atmosphere. But some freak events end up compromising his identity and what he does to save his daughter and avenge the death of his family unfurls as Theri.

Theri

2016

No artwork available
3.0

A director changes the perception of love for a group of youngsters by narrating how he reclaimed his life because of his now-married lover and her understanding husband.

Ninaithathu Yaaro

2014

Petta poster
7.2

A hostel warden becomes the target of a dreaded politician and his gangster son, but little do they realise that it is they who should fear him.

Petta

2019

Mr. Chandramouli poster
4.2

Raghav, a professional boxer, finds himself in a fix when an unexpected turn of events gets him tangled in a battle between his passion, family and the love of his life.

Mr. Chandramouli

2018

Kamaraj poster
5.8

The film is a biographical sketch of the former Chief Minister of the then Madras State and the All-India Congress Committee secretary and a respected national figure. The film starts with the young age of Kamaraj and ends with the funeral procession of the leader.

Kamaraj

2004

Pon Manickavel poster
4.0

A cop tasked with investigating the murder of a judge finds out that a businessman might be the key to cracking the case.

Pon Manickavel

2021

Katamarayudu poster
5.1

A violent man Rayudu tries to redeem himself to impress the love of his life, until he gets pushed into a situation that forces him to act.

Katamarayudu

2017

Seethakathi poster
7.3

A veteran theatre artist who lives for his art 'enters' the world of films. Can the film industry hold on to his inimitable artistry?

Seethakathi

2018

Boomerang poster
5.1

A guy who gets a face transplant done, following a fire accident, realises many are after his life. He sets out to find the reason for the same.

Boomerang

2019

Rustum poster
5.0

The disappearance of an honest IAS officer leads to his family seeking help from police, but to no avail. To their assistance arrives Abhishek, someone who happens to be there for them in times of need. But why does he want to help them? What is his real identity?

Rustum

2019

Nimir poster
6.3

An amiable photographer in a small-town, who is nursing a breakup, unwittingly becomes embroiled in a street brawl that turns him into a man obsessed with revenge.

Nimir

2018

Kombu Vatcha Singamda poster
6.5

Six friends, who follow Periyaar's ideologies, fall prey to the local caste politics that happens in their hometown. Who is the reason behind this and what happens after?

Kombu Vatcha Singamda

2022

Behind the camera

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Anbulla Malare

1984

No artwork available
7.0

A young man separated from his family during childhood tries to reconcile with them. He decides to get his sisters married off, despite the poverty.

Metti

1982

No artwork available
7.0

A young man separated from his family during childhood tries to reconcile with them. He decides to get his sisters married off, despite the poverty.

Metti

1982

Johnny poster
5.3

Johnny loves Archana, a popular singer, but their lives are disrupted when Johnny's lookalike kills his lover and tries to pin the blame on Johnny.

Johnny

1980

Johnny poster
5.3

Johnny loves Archana, a popular singer, but their lives are disrupted when Johnny's lookalike kills his lover and tries to pin the blame on Johnny.

Johnny

1980

Sasanam poster
NR

Muthiah and his wife Visalakshi are a loving couple, and they come across Saroji who with no one to go for, takes refuge in Muthiah's house. Muthiah and Saroji develop soft corner towards each other. The rest is what transpires between the trio, exploring the nuances of an extra-marital affair.

Sasanam

2006

Sasanam poster
NR

Muthiah and his wife Visalakshi are a loving couple, and they come across Saroji who with no one to go for, takes refuge in Muthiah's house. Muthiah and Saroji develop soft corner towards each other. The rest is what transpires between the trio, exploring the nuances of an extra-marital affair.

Sasanam

2006

Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu poster
10.0

Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu is a 1986 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by J. Mahendran, starring Bhanumathi and Sujatha in lead roles.

Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu

1986

Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu poster
10.0

Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu is a 1986 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by J. Mahendran, starring Bhanumathi and Sujatha in lead roles.

Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu

1986

Kai Kodukkum Kai poster
6.3

Veer marries a blind girl and is disowned by his brother. He rents a room and takes care of his wife. He decides to share the room with a handicapped youth who has a secret agenda of his own.

Kai Kodukkum Kai

1984

Kai Kodukkum Kai poster
6.3

Veer marries a blind girl and is disowned by his brother. He rents a room and takes care of his wife. He decides to share the room with a handicapped youth who has a secret agenda of his own.

Kai Kodukkum Kai

1984

Mullum Malarum poster
8.3

A young man, Kaali and his sister, Valli, who were orphaned as children, share a close bond. However, their relationship gets strained as Kaali butts heads with a newly appointed engineer from the city.

Mullum Malarum

1978

Mullum Malarum poster
8.3

A young man, Kaali and his sister, Valli, who were orphaned as children, share a close bond. However, their relationship gets strained as Kaali butts heads with a newly appointed engineer from the city.

Mullum Malarum

1978

Azhagiya Kanne poster
10.0

Azhagiya Kanne is a 1982 Tamil-language film written and directed by J. Mahendran. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Azhagiya Kanne

1982

Azhagiya Kanne poster
10.0

Azhagiya Kanne is a 1982 Tamil-language film written and directed by J. Mahendran. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Azhagiya Kanne

1982

Ganga poster
NR

Ganga, a drunkard, is the son of a reformed dacoit. When Ganga's father is killed by a gang of criminals, he decides to take revenge.

Ganga

1972

Mogam Muppadhu Varusham poster
NR

A young man, Ramesh (Kamal Haasan), returns from overseas. He arranges a marriage with Kasthuri (Sumithra), and marries her. In a sub-plot, Ramesh's secretary Menaka (Fatafat Jayalakshmi) marries Ravisankar (Vijayakumar), an artist, at nearly the same time. The spouses in each pairing are very different from each other, and have great problems understanding each other. This movie explores whether either pair can make a good marriage together.

Mogam Muppadhu Varusham

1976

No artwork available
10.0

Rajee, a doctor, sacrifices her love for her cousin Vinod after she realizes that he is in love with Bindhu. When Bindhu has a miscarriage, Vinod learns that she is suffering from retrograde hysteria.

Pagalil Oru Iravu

1979

Thangappathakkam poster
7.4

S. P. Choudhry, a respected police officer, arrests his son after he becomes rebellious and indulges in unethical activities creating nuisance in the society.

Thangappathakkam

1974

Kaali poster
5.3

After being released from jail, Kaali is in search of Raja Rao, a rich businessman who is responsible for the death of his family members.

Kaali

1980

Uthiripookkal poster
6.8

Sundaravadivelu is a wealthy, sadistic and authoritative man who disregards and manipulates everyone within his reach. Through his ruthless deeds, he makes life miserable for everyone in his village, including his ailing wife and two children.

Uthiripookkal

1979

Uthiripookkal poster
6.8

Sundaravadivelu is a wealthy, sadistic and authoritative man who disregards and manipulates everyone within his reach. Through his ruthless deeds, he makes life miserable for everyone in his village, including his ailing wife and two children.

Uthiripookkal

1979

Nandu poster
8.0

Unable to get along with his father who compels him to marry a girl of his choice, Ramkumar Sharma leaves for Madras.

Nandu

1981

Nandu poster
8.0

Unable to get along with his father who compels him to marry a girl of his choice, Ramkumar Sharma leaves for Madras.

Nandu

1981