Rajesh Raman Pillai (07 October 1974 – 27 February 2016) was an Indian film director best known for his work in the
Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...
. He is credited with setting a new trend in Malayalam cinema with his thriller, ''
Traffic'' (2011).
Rajesh Pillai made his directorial debut with ''
Hridayathil Sookshikkan
''Hridayathil Sookshikkan'' () is a 2005 Malayalam-language romance film directed by debutant Rajesh Pillai. Produced by Bose Varghese, the film had Kunchacko Boban and Bhavana playing the main characters. The plot was loosely based on the 2000 A ...
'' (2005) which turned out to be a commercial and critical failure. His second film ''
Traffic'', written by brothers
Bobby and Sanjay was released in 2011. The film has its narrative in a
hyperlink
In computing, a hyperlink, or simply a link, is a digital reference to data that the user can follow or be guided by clicking or tapping. A hyperlink points to a whole document or to a specific element within a document. Hypertext is text wit ...
format and is inspired by an actual event that happened in
Chennai. The film was a notable success and is widely regarded as one of the defining movies of the
Malayalam New Wave.
In August 2012, the director announced his next movie titled ''
Motorcycle Diaries''. However Pillai put the project on hold and started the work of ''
Mili'', a heroine-centric film with
Amala Paul in title role opposite
Nivin Pauly. The film released in January 2015 and received positive reviews from critics and became an above average grosser at box office.
''
Vettah'', a psychological thriller starring
Kunchacko Boban,
Manju Warrier,
Indrajith Sukumaran and
Kadhal Sandhya
Revathy (born 27 September 1988), known by her stage name Kadhal Sandhya, is an Indian actress who appears in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.
Early life
She was born in . Her father Ajith is an employee of IOB and her mother Maya ...
, scripted by
Arunlal Ramachandran, is touted to be the first ever mind game movie in Malayalam was released on 26 February 2016, a day before Pillai's death.
Manju Warrier plays the role of Sreebala IPS, the City Police Commissioner in this film.
Death
Suffering from
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Pillai died on 27 February 2016, at PVS Hospital,
Kochi[https://www.deadfamous.info/rajesh-pillai-indian-film-director-died-at-41] He is survived by his wife Megha, father Raman Pillai, and an elder sister.
Filmography
Awards and nominations
* Won – 1st South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Direction – ''
Traffic''
* Won – Jaihind Film Awards 2012 for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* Won – Reporter TV Film Awards 2012 for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* Won – Nana Film Awards for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* Won – Amritha Film Award - Trend Setting Film Director
* Won – Aimfill Inspire Film Award - Best Innovative Film
* Won – National Film Promotion Council 2011 - Pratheeksha Puraskaram
* Won –Mathrubhumi Film Awards 2011 - Path Breaking Movie of the Year
* Won – Minnalai Film TV Awards-Best Director - 2011
* Won – Audi-Ritz Icon Award 2012 - Iconic Film of the Year Malayalam
* Won – Santhosham South Indian Film Award 2011
* Won – Southspin Fashion Award-2012
* Nominated – Asianet Film Awards 2012 for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
* Nominated – Surya Film Awards for Best Direction – ''Traffic''
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pillai, Rajesh
Film directors from Kerala
2016 deaths
Malayalam film directors
1974 births
People from Alappuzha district
21st-century Indian film directors
Film producers from Kerala
Malayalam film producers