R. Sundarrajan & S. S. Chandran Movies Together List — 3 Films

The shape of the work

The 1980s belonged to Saranalayam; the 1990s to Thamarai. Never on the same side of the camera — R. Sundarrajan director, S. S. Chandran actor, across all 3 films. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.

Partnership facts

• S. S. Chandran was a popular comedian in the 80s, but R. Sundarrajan cast him against type in 'Saranalayam' (1983) — as a serious, tragic father. Chandran later said Sundarrajan saw something in him no other director had.
• In 'Thamarai' (1994), Sundarrajan wrote a role specifically for Chandran that required him to switch from comedy to pathos in the same scene. Chandran pulled it off in one take, and Sundarrajan kept the camera rolling just to capture his tears.
• Sundarrajan and Chandran were close friends off-screen. During the shoot of 'Seethanam' (1995), Chandran would cook Sundarrajan's favourite biryani at his home and bring it to the set every Sunday — a ritual that lasted through all three films.
• The success of 'Saranalayam' (1983) directly led to Chandran getting more dramatic roles in the mid-80s, breaking his comedy-only image. Directors like Balu Mahendra and K. Balachander later cast him in serious parts because of that film.
• S. S. Chandran once said in an interview: 'Sundarrajan is the only director who made me cry on screen without using glycerin. He just told me my daughter's name, and I broke down.'