N. K. Viswanathan (died 25 March 2017) was an Indian film director and cinematographer who has worked on Tamil films. After beginning his career working as a cinematographer for Tamil films during the 1980s, he branched into film direction and made commercially successful films during the 1990s.

Career

Viswanathan appeared as the cinematographer for many films since the 1970s predominantly worked in films directed by

Rama Narayanan Rama Narayanan (3 April 1949 – 22 June 2014) was an Indian film director and producer. In the 1980s, he was known as a director who specialized in shooting commercial films in which animals played vital roles, while in the 1990s, several of h ...

and also helped recommend actor Sathyaraj for his first role in '' Sattam En Kaiyil'' (1978). At the insistence of Kamal Haasan, he directed ''Sankarlal'' (1981) when the film's director T. N. Balu died during the shoot. He began directing films in the 1990s, working on family dramas. In the early 2000s, he worked on several devotional films as a cinematographer and developed his knowledge of CGI and VFX related scenes. Viswanathan went on to direct '' Jaganmohini'' (2009), a remake of the 1978 film of the same name, with

Namitha Namitha Vankawala is an Indian actress, model and politician who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu cinema along with a few films in Kannada and Malayalam. She serves as a state executive member of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil N ...

and Nila starring. Despite creating attention prior to release, it opened to mixed reviews, with a critic citing that the film felt "dated".

Death

He died on 25 April 2017 due to cardiac arrest.

Filmography

As director

As cinematographer

*''

Uyarndhavargal ''Uyarnthavargal'' () is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by T. N. Balu, starring Kamal Haasan and Sujatha. The film deals with a deaf-mute couple and their struggle in society. It is a remake of the 1972 Hindi film ''Koshish''. ...

'' (1977) *'' Sattam En Kaiyil'' (1978) *'' Kalyanaraman'' (1979) *''

Rusi Kanda Poonai ''Rusi Kanda Poonai'' is a Tamil-language drama film directed by G. N. Rangarajan. The film stars Saritha, Sudhakar and M. R. R. Vasu. It was released on 25 December 1980. Plot ''Rusi Kanda Poonai'' is a gripping emotional story of Savithri ...

'' (1980) *''

Meendum Kokila ''Meendum Kokila'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by G. N. Rangarajan from a screenplay written by Ananthu and story by Haasan Brothers. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Deepa, M. Krishnamoorthy, T ...

'' (1981) *''

Kadal Meengal ''Kadal Meengal'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language masala film directed by G. N. Rangarajan, starring Kamal Haasan, Sujatha (actress), Sujatha, Nagesh and Swapna (actress), Swapna. It is a remake of the 1980 Malayalam film ''Me ...

'' (1981) *''

Sankarlal ''Sankarlal'' is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language action film, written, directed and produced by T. N. Balu. It stars Kamal Haasan in dual lead roles as father and son. Balu died half-way during production, and the film was eventually completed wi ...

'' (1981) *''

Ellam Inba Mayyam ''Ellam Inba Mayyam'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language film directed by G. N. Rangarajan and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Jaishankar, Suman, Madhavi and Surekha. It was released on 5 December 1981. Plot ...

'' (1981) *''

Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo ''Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language thriller film directed by G. N. Rangarajan, starring Pratap Pothen and Sripriya. It is based on Sujatha's novel of the same name. The film was released on 14 August 1981. Plot ...

'' (1981) *''

Manaivi Solle Manthiram ''Manaivi Solle Manthiram'' () is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by Rama Narayanan and produced and written by P. Kalaimani. The film stars Mohan, Nalini, Pandiyan and Ilavarasi. The film had musical score by Ilaiyaraaja. This ...

'' (1983) *''

Engal Kural ''Engal Kural'' () is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by Rama Narayanan and produced by S. S. Chandran. The film stars Arjun, Suresh, Nalini and Jeevitha. The film had musical score by Vijaya T. Rajendar. Cast * Arjun *Suresh ...

'' (1985) *''

Urimai ''Urimai'' () is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Rama Narayanan starring Suresh and Nalini. It was released on 15 March 1985. Plot Suresh is the only child of the rich businessman Maragathammal. He's a womanizer and a general w ...

'' (1985) *''

Chain Jayapal ''Chain Jayapal'' is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Rama Narayanan for K.G.Balakrishnan. The film stars Rajesh, Radha Ravi, Rajeev and Rajkumar Sethupathi . Cast *Rajesh *Radha Ravi * Rajeev *Rajkumar Sethupathi *Sathyaraj *Then ...

'' (1985) *''

Karimedu Karuvayan ''Karimedu Karuvayan'' is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language vigilante action film directed by Rama Narayanan and written by Gokula Krishnan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Nalini, Pandiyan and Aruna. It was released on 14 January 1986, and became a ...

'' (1986) *''

Veeran Veluthambi ''Veeran Veluthambi'' is a 1987 Tamil-language action film directed by Rama Narayanan, starring Vijayakanth and Radha Ravi . Cast *Vijayakanth as Inspector Rahman (Guest Appearance) *Radha Ravi as Veeran Veluthambi * Karthik as Thirumalai (Gue ...

'' (1987) *''

Megam Karuththirukku ''Megam Karuththirukku'' () is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Rama Narayanan, starring Prabhu and Raghuvaran. It was released on 6 March 1987. Plot Cast * Prabhu *Raghuvaran * Senthil *Rekha * Madhuri * Charle *Venn ...

'' (1987) *''

Sahadevan Mahadevan ''Sahadevan Mahadevan'' is a 1988 Indian Tamil-language comedy film, directed by Rama Narayanan, starring Mohan and S. V. Shekhar, with S. S. Chandran, Kovai Sarala, Pallavi, and Madhuri in supporting roles.The music was composed by Shankar ...

'' (1988) *''

Enga Ooru Kavalkaran ''Enga Ooru Kavalkaran'' () is a 1988 Indian Tamil language film, directed by T. P. Gajendran and produced by Kalyani Murugan. The film stars Ramarajan, Gautami, M. N. Nambiar and T. P. Gajendran in lead roles. The film had musical score by ...

'' (1988) *''

Thangamani Rangamani Thangamani Rangamani is a Tamil film, directed by Ramanarayanan. Murali and S. Ve. Shekher are, with S. S. Chandran, Kovai Sarala, Pallavi and Devisri in supporting roles. It is an unofficial remake of the 1984 Malayalam movie Poochakkoru Moo ...

'' (1989) *''

Paandi Nattu Thangam ''Paandi Nattu Thangam'' is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by T. P. Gajendran. The film stars Karthik and Nirosha. The film, produced by Kalyani Murugan, had musical score by Ilaiyaraaja and was released on 19 May 19 ...

'' (1989) *''

Sendhoora Devi ''Sendhoora Devi'' (also spelled ''Senthura Devi'') is a 1991 Tamil language family film directed by Rama Narayanan. The film stars Vivek, Kanaka and Shamili, with Senthil, Vennira Aadai Moorthy, Kumarimuthu and Kitty playing supporting roles. ...

'' (1991) *'' Purushan Enakku Arasan'' (1992) *'' Kaviya Thalaivan'' (1992) *'' Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa'' (1999) *'' Rajakali Amman'' (2000) *'' Kuberan'' (2000) *''

Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela ''Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela'' is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by Rama Narayanan. The film is loosely based on '' Poova Thalaiya'' (1969). The film was remade in Kannada as ''Namma Samsara Ananda Sagara'' (2001). ...

'' (2000) *'' Palayathu Amman'' (2000) *''

Nageswari ''Nageswari'' is a 2001 Tamil-language devotional film written and directed by Rama Narayanan. The film featured Ramya Krishnan in the title role alongside Karan and Vadivelu, while Vivek plays a supporting role. The film, which had music ...

'' (2001) *'' Viswanathan Ramamoorthy'' (2001) *''

Kottai Mariamman ''Kottai Mariamman'' is a 2001 Tamil-language Hindu devotional film written and directed by Rama Narayanan. The film featured Roja Selvamani, Roja in the title role alongside Karan (actor), Karan and Devayani (actress), Devayani. The film, whic ...

'' (2001) *''

Shakalaka Baby ''Mudhalvan'' () is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language political action thriller film produced by R. Madhesh and S. Shankar, written and directed by Shankar. The film stars Arjun, Manisha Koirala and Raghuvaran while Vadivelu and Manivannan appear in ...

'' (2002) *''

Annai Kaligambal ''Annai Kaligambal'' is an Indian 2003 bilingual devotional film written and directed by Rama Narayanan. The film featured Ramya Krishnan in the title role alongside Anu Prabhakar and Livingston, while Jayanthi plays a supporting role. The fi ...

'' (2003) *''

Mannin Maindhan ''Mannin Maindhan'' () is a 2005 Indian Tamil language action comedy film, directed by Rama Narayanan, starring Sibiraj and ''Adhu'' fame Suha. Sathyaraj plays a cameo role. The film, a remake of successful Telugu film '' Yagnam''. The film wa ...

'' (2005)

References

1941 births 2017 deaths 20th-century Indian people Tamil film directors Tamil film cinematographers 21st-century Indian people 20th-century Indian photographers 21st-century Indian photographers {{India-film-bio-stub