V. Ravichandran (film producer)

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V. Ravichandran
Born
Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesAascar Ravichandran
Oscar Ravichandran
Venu Ravichandran
OccupationProducer
Years active1978–present

Viswanathan Ravichandran (also known as Venu Ravichandran)[1] 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,[2][3] previously known as Oscar Films.[4] 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.

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.[5] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[6]

Filmography

Production

Year Title Language Notes
1997 Kadhalukku Mariyadhai Tamil Co-producer
2000 Vanathai Pola Tamil
2001 Poovellam Un Vasam Tamil
2002 Ezhumalai Tamil
Roja Kootam Tamil
Ramana Tamil
En Mana Vaanil Tamil
2003 Jay Jay Tamil
Manasellam Tamil
2004 Thendral Tamil
2005 Anniyan Tamil
2006 Parijatham Tamil
Thalai Nagaram Tamil
Dishyum Tamil
Rendu Tamil
2007 Marudhamalai Tamil
Unnale Unnale Tamil
Pachaikili Muthucharam Tamil
2008 Dasavathaaram Tamil
Vaaranam Aayiram Tamil
2009 Ananda Tandavam Tamil
2011 Leelai Tamil
Lucky Jokers Malayalam
Velayudham Tamil
2013 Maryan Tamil
2014 Vallinam Tamil
Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah Tamil
2015 I Tamil
Bhooloham Tamil 25th Film
2018 Vishwaroopam II/Vishwaroop II Tamil/Hindi Co-producer

Distribution

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

References

  1. ^ "'The snob factor's gone'". telegraphindia.com. 10 April 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  2. ^ Viswanathan Ravichandran corporate information - http://corporatedir.com/officer/02175468 Archived 30 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Profile at Corporate Directory
  3. ^ Company Wiki - AASCAR FILM PRIVATE LIMITED - http://www.companywiki.in/wiki/aascar-film-private-limited.html[permanent dead link]. List of Directors and Company Registration info at Company Wiki
  4. ^ cinemania (4 July 2021). "The shifting power dynamics in the Tamil film industry in the last two decades". CINEMANIA. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". 23 August 2004. Archived from the original on 23 August 2004. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ a b "An interview with the producer of 'I', Aascar Films Ravichandran". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Arnold Schwarzenegger: 'I' event one of the best I have seen". 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.