Vietnam Veedu Sundaram was an Indian playwright, screenwriter and film director. He wrote films such as Gauravam,

Vietnam Veedu ''Vietnam Veedu'' () is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by P. Madhavan and written by Sundaram. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, with Nagesh, K. A. Thangavelu, Srikanth, M. Bhanumathi and Rama Prabha in support ...

, Gnana Oli, Satyam, Grihapravesam, Justice Gopinath, Annan Oru Koyil,

Naan Yen Pirandhen Naan ( fa, نان, nān, ur, , ps, نان, ug, نان, hi, नान, bn, নান) is a leavened, oven-baked or tawa-fried flatbread which is found in the cuisines mainly of Western Asia, Central Asia, Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Ma ...

and Naalai Namadhe. He also directed a few films and is well known for his family themes. He written stories films in languages such as Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He also worked as an actor in films and television.

Early life

Sundaram was born in 1943 to a lawyer father in

Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli () ( formerly Trichinopoly in English), also called Tiruchi or Trichy, is a major tier II city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli district. The city is credited with bein ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...

. His mother brought him to

Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

in 1945 to see

Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...

at Island Grounds. As he was not well-educated, he was made to work in a factory even at a very young age. In 1955-56 he joined Dunlop factory as a machine operator. In the meantime, he was also working as a service boy in United Amateur Artistes run by Y.G. Parthasarathy, his wife and Pattu. That kindled his interest in drama and cinema. He narrated real life incidents with imagination and make it an interesting story. This made him a good storyteller among his friends. Slowly he graduated himself in theatrics and play writing. Soon he became a good screenplay and dialogue writer.

Film career

He was the mastermind behind creating the highly successful play "Vietnam Veedu," hence the prefix for his name. Vietnam Veedu Sundaram played the hat-trick in films too with the same titles, all acted by the Nadigar Thilagam

Sivaji Ganesan Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ga ...

, the Thespian of Indian cinema. He is known as the 'founder' of social mythology. The well known movies which he wrote include Vietnam Veedu, Gnana Oli, Naan En Piranden, Naalai Namadhe, Satyam, Gruhapravesam, Justice Gopinath, Anaan Oru Koyil, Oru Malarin Payanam, Navagraha Nayaki, Geethanjali, Aayiram Kannudayaal, Dharmam, Piranthen Valarthen, Nambinar Keduvathillai, Jallikattu, Raja Mariyadhai, Velundu Vinaiyillai, Soora Samhaaram. He also wrote story for Kannada film Anupama. He gained national fame for writing the story for 1978 Hindi film Devata starring Sanjev Kumar in the lead. He cast the ever green

K. R. Vijaya Deivanayaki better known by her stage name K. R. Vijaya is an Indian actress who has featured in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films. She started her career in 1963 and has been acting for more than five decades in South Indian cinema. ...

in the role of goddess in "Namma Veetu Deivam", the first time social mythology in Tamil, which was remade into Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. That set the social mythology trend in films and televisions. He has directed more than dozen films and is well known for his family themes with one of them Gauravam being a cult classic. His stories have been made into films in other languages also. He started acting in films since 1999.He turned actor on the small screen from 1998 and has to his credit quite a few television serials. He has worked as a writer for films with many popular stars including M. G. Ramachandran,

Rajinikanth Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (born 12 December 1950), known professionally as Rajinikanth, is an Indian actor, producer and screenwriter. In a career spanning over five decades, he has done 160 films that includes films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannad ...

Kamal Haasan Kamal Haasan (born 7 November 1954) is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer, television presenter and politician who works mainly in Tamil cinema and has also appeared in some Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali l ...

Sathyaraj Rangaraj Subbiah (born 3 October 1954), professionally known as Sathyaraj, is an Indian actor, producer, director and a media personality who has predominantly appeares in Tamil cinema and Telugu cinema, Telugu Cinema. His 240 films also includ ...

and Karthik.

Death

Sundaram died on 6 August 2016 at the age of 76 due to age related ailments. He is survived by his wife Chella and daughter Anu Parthasarathy who is a costume designer.

Awards and nominations

"Vietnam Veedu" Sundaram won the

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Dialogue Writer is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil (Kollywood) films. The list Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they w ...

for his magnum opus,

in 1970. He also won the Arignar Anna Award in the

Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Honorary Award given by the ''Tamil Nadu State Government'' as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil cinema personalities who contributed in developing the Tamil cinema in India. Arignar A ...

in 1991.

Filmography

Writer

;Films *

(1970) - Scriptwriter * Namma Veettu Deivam (1970) - Dialogue *

Veguli Penn ''Veguli Penn'' () is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language mystery drama film directed and co-written by S. S. Devadoss. The film stars Gemini Ganesh and Devika, with R. Muthuraman, Nagesh, V. K. Ramasamy, V. Nirmala, Radhika, K. Balaji and S. Varala ...

(1971) - Dialogue * Irulum Oliyum (1971) - Dialogue *

Gnana Oli ''Gnana Oli'' () is a 1972 Indian Tamil language film, directed by P. Madhavan and written by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram, starring Sivaji Ganesan. It is a loose adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel '' Les Miserables''. This film was remade in Hi ...

(1972) - Scriptwriter *

(1972) - Dialogue * Itho Enthan Deivam (1972) - Dialogue * Vijaya (1973) - Scriptwriter * Manidharil Manikkam (1973) * Gauravam (1973) - Scriptwriter * Kasthuri Vijayam (1975) - Scriptwriter * Naalai Namadhe (1975) - Scriptwriter * Panakkara Penn (1976) * Satyam (1976) * Gruhapravesam (1976) *

Paalootti Valartha Kili ''Paalooti Valartha Kili'' () is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Devaraj–Mohan and written by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram. The film stars Vijayakumar and Sripriya It is based on the stage play ''Raja Parambarai'' () by Komal S ...

(1976) *

Naam Pirandha Mann ''Naam Pirandha Mann'' () is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language vigilante action film directed by A. Vincent. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya, while Kamal Haasan, Nagesh and Fatafat Jayalaxmi play supporting roles. It wa ...

(1977) *

Thanikudithanam ''Thani Kudithanam'' () is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by S. A. Kannan. The film stars Cho Ramaswamy and K. R. Vijaya, with Y. G. Mahendran, Pandari Bai and Major Sundarrajan in supporting roles. It is based on the pla ...

(1977) *

Justice Gopinath ''Justice Gopinath'' is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by D. Yoganand. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Rajinikanth and Sumithra. It was released on 16 December 1978 and became a box office failure. Plot Justice Go ...

(1978) *

Annan Oru Koyil ''Annan Oru Koyil'' () is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by K. Vijayan and written by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Suruli Rajan and Jaiganesh. It become a blockbuster at the box-office, runn ...

(1978) *

Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam ''Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam'' () is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and written by Durai from a story by G. Lalitha. The film stars Srikanth and Shoba, with Major Sundarrajan, Delhi Ganesh, Suruli Rajan, Pandari Bai, Suruli Rajan an ...

(1978) *

Devata ''Devata'' (pl: ''devatas'', meaning 'the gods') (Devanagari: देवता; Khmer: ទេវតា (''tevoda''); Thai: เทวดา (''tevada''); Javanese, Balinese, Sundanese, Malay: ''dewata''; Batak languages: ''debata'' (Toba) ...

(1978) (Hindi) *

Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum ''Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum'' () is a 1979 Indian fantasy film directed by I. V. Sasi based on Aladdin's story from ''One Thousand and One Nights''. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Jayabharathi, Sripriya, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri ...

(1979) *Kandhar Alangaram (1979) *Valli Mayil (1980) * Engamma Maharani (1981) * Anupama (1981) (Kannada) * Paritchaikku Neramaachu (1982) * Vaa Kanna Vaa (1982) * Thunai (1982) *Nalamthaana (1982) *

Garuda Saukiyama ''Garuda Saukiyama'' () is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language crime film, directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by T. S. Sethuraman. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Mohan and Thiagarajan. It revolves around a petty criminal who eventual ...

(1982) *

Anthasthu ''Anthasthu'' () is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. Thyagarajan for Devar Films. The film stars Jaishankar, Lakshmi, Murali and Ilavarasi . Plot Archana (Lakshmi) is the managing director of her company and puts a lot of w ...

(1985) *

Oru Malarin Payanam ''Oru Malarin Payanam'' () is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by Muktha Srinivasan. The film stars Lakshmi, Murali, Urvashi and Sulakshana. It is based on the novel of the same name by Anuradha Ramanan. The film was released on 7 J ...

(1985) *

Navagraha Nayagi Navagraha are nine heavenly bodies and deities that influence human life on Earth according to Hinduism and Hindu astrology. The term is derived from ''nava'' ( sa, नव "nine") and ''graha'' ( sa, ग्रह "planet, seizing, laying hold of, ...

(1985) * Geethanjali (1985) *Ammavum Neeye Appavum Neeye (1985) * Aayiram Kannudayaal (1986) *

Dharmam ''Dharmam'' () is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. Thyagarajan, starring Sathyaraj, Saritha and Sudha Chandran. The film was released on 4 July 1986. Plot Karthik is in jail awaiting his final court hearing. He was arrested ...

(1986) *

Piranthaen Valarnthaen ''Piranthaen Valarnthaen'' () is a Tamil-language film starring Goundamani. It was released on 1 October 1986. Plot Goundamani is sold to Senthamarai and later deserted by his parents when he was a newborn. The nurse adopts the deserted ba ...

(1986) *

Nambinar Keduvathillai ''Nambinar Keduvathillai'' () is a 1986 Indian Tamil language Hindu devotional film, directed by K. Shankar and produced by Kamakshi Shankar. The film stars Vijayakanth, Prabhu, Jayashree and Sudha Chandran. The film had musical score by M. S. ...

(1986) *

Brahmastram ''Brahmastram '' () is a 2006 Telugu-language action film, produced by Nukarapu Surya Prakasa Rao on S. P. Creations banner and directed by Surya Kiran. Starring Jagapati Babu, Neha Oberoi and music composed by Vaibhava.http://www.zaminryot.com ...

'' (1986) (Telugu) *

Anand Anand may refer to: People * Anand (name), a surname and given name (including a list of people with the name) * Anand (actor), Indian actor * Anand (Maoist), Indian communist * Anand (writer) (born 1936), Indian Malayalam writer Places * Anand ...

(1987) *

Jallikattu (or ), also known as and , is a traditional event in which a bull ('' Bos indicus''), such as the Pulikulam or Kangayam breeds, is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's b ...

(1987) *

Raja Mariyadhai ''Raja Mariyadhai'' () is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by Karthick Raghunath. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Karthik and Jeevitha. It is a remake of the Telugu film ''Simham Navvindi''. The film was released on 14 Jan ...

(1987) * Velundu Vinaiyillai (1987) *

Soora Samhaaram ''Soora Samhaaram'' () is a 1988 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Chitra Lakshmanan and written by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram. The film stars Kamal Haasan in the role of police officer, ACP Athi Veerapandiyan. The film was la ...

(1988) *

Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu ''Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu'' is a 1988 Telugu-language action film produced by D. Kishore under the Jayabheri Art Productions banner, presented by Murali Mohan and directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Bhanupriya and m ...

(1988) (Telugu) ;Television *''Vikramadithyan'' *''En Peyar Ranganayaki'' *''Velan''

Director

* Vijaya (1973) * Gauravam (1973) * Devi Sri Karumari Amman (1974) * Payanam (1976) *Kandhar Alangaram (1979) * Gnana Paravai (1991)

As Actor

;Films *'' Appu'' (2000) * '' Anjaneya'' (2003) * '' Kannamoochi Yenada'' (2007) - Arumugam Gounder's father * ''Kolakalam'' (2013) *''Vandha Mala'' (2015) * ''Namma Kadha'' (2017)

Television

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sundaram, Vietnam Veedu Tamil comedians Tamil film directors Tamil screenwriters 1943 births 2016 deaths 20th-century Indian film directors Writers from Tiruchirappalli Film directors from Tamil Nadu Indian male screenwriters Tamil dramatists and playwrights Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners Indian male television actors Male actors from Tiruchirappalli Male actors in Tamil cinema 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Indian male comedians Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu 20th-century Indian male writers