Chithra Lakshmanan
Chithra Lakshmanan is an Indian director and producer of Tamil language films. In the 2000s, he has also featured as an actor in films and television.
Career
Chithra Lakshmanan began his career as a film journalist then moved as PRO and became acquainted with director Bharathiraja to enter the film industry, and subsequently served as a co-producer on all his films with his brother Chithra Raamu. In 1983, he produced Mann Vasanai under Gayathri Films, which won commercial success as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Film. He also served as a press relations officer for Tamil films during the 1980s, and later reprised that role as an actor through Uttama Villain. His first directorial venture was Soora Samhaaram with Kamal Haasan and later he directed Periya Thambi with Prabhu and Chinna Raja with Karthik in the lead role. He turned actor in Japanil Kalyanaraman and began to prioritise acting commitments in the 2000s, winning acclaim for his comedy roles in Boss Engira Bhaskaran and Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru.Throughout his career, Lakshmanan has also taken up posts of responsibility. He served as the Secretary of Tamil Film Producers Council for four years and as an executive committee member in South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, Film Federation of India, and Tamil Film Directors Association for several years. In 2011, he published the book 80 Years of Tamil Cinema'', an account documenting the history of Tamil cinema.
Film journalism
Chitra lakshmanan started his career as Hardware shop employee under Thellu.M.Dharmarajan in Arani whereas Dharmarajan was trying to become lyricist in films. Thellu.M.Dharmarajan started a film magazine Vidi velli in Chennai where Chitra lakshmanan joined him as sub editor. After certain years, Vidi velli became noncompetitive & it was closed. Later Chitra lakshmanan moved to Thayin Manikodi run by Jayakanthan. After few unsuccessful years, he moved back to his hometown Arani. After his friends encouragement he moved back as Editor to a Newly started Bilingual cinema magazine run by some Singapore Tamils. This too after certain period, became unsuccessful & got closed. Finally he decided to start his own magazine Thirai Kathir which became successful. His career as Film journalist helped him to move as PRO and later helped immensely in his Cinema career.Personal life
Chitra Lakshmanan was born in Arani whereas His native is Polur. His father Ramasamy was a school teacher and mother Sithalakshmi was housewife. He is youngest of seven children in his family. His marriage was fixed by his parents to Radhika, a graduate from Vellore in 1989 and has two daughters Gayatri, Krithiga.Filmography
;As producer| Year | Film | Cast | Notes |
| 1983 | Mann Vasanai | Pandiyan, Revathi,Vijayan | |
| 1984 | Ambigai Neril Vanthaal | Mohan,Radha, Urvashi | |
| 1984 | Vaazhkai | Sivaji Ganesan, Ambika,Pandiyan | |
| 1985 | Puthiya Theerppu | Vijayakanth, Ambika | |
| 1987 | Jallikattu | Sivaji Ganesan,Sathyaraj, Radha | |
| 1989 | Chinnappadass | Sathyaraj, Radha,Kodai Mazhai Vidya |
;As director and producer
| Year | Film | Cast | Notes |
| 1988 | Soora Samhaaram | Kamal Haasan, Nirosha, Nizhalgal Ravi | |
| 1997 | Periya Thambi | Prabhu, Nagma, Goundamani | |
| 1999 | Chinna Raja | Karthik, Roja, Priya Raman |
;As actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1984 | Pudhumai Penn | ||
| 1984 | Dhavani Kanavugal | Guest Appearance | |
| 1985 | Japanil Kalyanaraman | Munusamy Guide | |
| 1985 | Puthiya Theerppu | Murali | |
| 1987 | Jallikattu | Dharmaraj | |
| 1997 | Periya Thambi | ||
| 1999 | Chinna Raja | ||
| 1999 | Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum | Ramalingam | |
| 2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | Jyothi's father | |
| 2001 | Azhagana Naatkal | ||
| 2002 | Kadhal Virus | Guest Appearance | |
| 2002 | Unnai Ninaithu | Vaidyalingam | |
| 2003 | Relax | ||
| 2004 | Bose | ||
| 2004 | Kangalal Kaidhu Sei | ||
| 2004 | Vasool Raja MBBS | Dr. Kalidas | |
| 2005 | Unarchigal | Balaji's father | |
| 2006 | Pachchak Kuthira | ||
| 2006 | Kusthi | ||
| 2007 | Piragu | Film Producer | |
| 2008 | Vaitheeswaran | Dhanasekaran's Henchman | |
| 2010 | Boss Engira Bhaskaran | Shanmugasundaram/nayantara's father | |
| 2011 | Sadhurangam | ||
| 2012 | Saguni | Boopathi's sidekick | |
| 2013 | Settai | Murugaraj | |
| 2013 | Pattathu Yaanai | ||
| 2013 | Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru | Kunchithapadam | |
| 2013 | Arya Surya | ||
| 2013 | Ya Ya | Kanaka's father | |
| 2013 | Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham | Kovai Kamaraj | |
| 2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | ||
| 2014 | Nimirndhu Nil | Judge Chitra Lakshmanan | |
| 2014 | Aranmanai | Maya's father | |
| 2015 | Nannbenda | Hotel Manager | |
| 2015 | Uttama Villain | PRO Lakshmanan | |
| 2015 | Sakalakala Vallavan | ||
| 2016 | Pokkiri Raja | Kothandam | |
| 2016 | Vaaliba Raja | Chithra Lakshmanan | |
| 2016 | Muthina Kathirika | Politician | |
| 2016 | Vellikizhamai 13am Thethi | ||
| 2017 | Kattappava Kanom | ||
| 2017 | Ullam Ullavarai | ||
| 2018 | Vidhi Madhi Ultaa | Divya's father | |
| 2018 | Nagesh Thiraiyarangam | Pundek | |
| 2018 | Itly | Bank Manager |