Thangar Bachan

Thangar Bachan (born 1961) is an Indian film director and actor, cinematographer and novelist. He has served as jury member in National Film Awards.^[1]

Thangar Bachan
Thangar Bachan at the Book Launch
Born	Thangaraj (1961-05-05) 5 May 1961 (age 63) Pathirakottai, South Arcot district (Present day Cuddalore), Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)	Cinematographer, film director, actor, film producer, novelist
Years active	1990–2023

Early life

Thankar Bachan was born in Pathirakottai, a village near Panruti, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu.^{[2] [citation needed]}

Career

Bachan started his career as a cinematographer in debut film Malai Charal. He was known for his work in Mogamul and Bharathi. He made his directorial debut in Azhagi.

Apart from films he occasionally contribute on literary works. His novels include Onbathu Roobai Nottu and Ammavin Kai Pesi. He eventually made these novel into films in his own direction.

Thankar Bachan was known for his contribution in portraying North Tamil Nadu villages which was not depicted in Tamil cinema properly. His story plots were set mostly at Panruti and surrounding villages. After Bharathiraja, villages were best portrayed in Thangar Bachan movies. Bharathiraja himself declared that after him Bachan directs the best village films.^[3]

He was the Pattali Makkal Katchi candidate for Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency in 2024 Indian general election.^[4]

Filmography

As director

Year	Film	Notes
2002	Azhagi
	Solla Marandha Kadhai
2004	Thendral
2005	Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy
2007	Pallikoodam	Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
	Onbadhu Roobai Nottu
2012	Ammavin Kaipesi
2017	Kalavaadiya Pozhuthugal
2023	Karumegangal Kalaigindrana

As actor

• Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy (2005) as Elangovan
• Pallikoodam (2007) as Kumarasamy
• Ammavin Kaipesi (2012) as Prasad
• Merlin (2018)
• Karumegangal Kalaigindrana (2023) as a public prosecutor (cameo appearance)

As cinematographer only

• Malai Charal (1990)
• Dharma Seelan (1991)
• Madhumathi (1992)
• Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan (1993)
• Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji (1994) (Malayalam film)
• Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru (1995)
• Vaanmathi (1996)
• Vaazhga Jananayagam (1996)
• Karuvelam Pookkal (1996)
• Kadhal Kottai (1996)
• Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga (1997)
• Kaadhale Nimmadhi (1998)
• Sirf Tum (1998) (Hindi film)
• Marumalarchi (1998)
• Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1999)
• Kanave Kalaiyadhe (1999)
• Kallazhagar (1999)
• Unnudan (1999)
• Bharathi (2000)
• Kannukku Kannaga (2000)
• James Pandu (2000)
• Kutti (2001)
• Ajnabee (2001)
• Periyar (2007)

Bibliography

Novels

• Onbathu Roobai Nottu novel, 1996.^[5]
• Ammavin Kai Pesi, 2009^[6]

Short story collections

• Vellai Maadu, 1993
• Kodi Munthiri, 2002
• Isaikaatha Isaithattu, 2006
• Thangar Bachan Kathaigal^[7]
• Solla Thonuthu- A collection of 50 articles published in Tamil Hindu daily news paper- 2015

Awards

• 1993 – Lilli Deivasigamani Memorial Award for Best Short Story Collection (Vellai Maadu)
• 1996 – Tamil Nadu Government's Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu)^[8]
• 1996 – Agni Akshara Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu)
• 1996 – Thiruppur Tamil Sangam Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu)
• 1997 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer (Film – Kaalamellam Kadhal Vazhga)
• 1998 – "Kalaimamani" Award – awarded by the Government of Tamil Nadu for Contributions in Tamil cinema^[9]
• 2002 – GV SICA Award for Best Director (Film – Azhagi)
• 2005 – Jaya TV Award for Best Actor (Film – Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy)
• 2007 – Tamil Nadu State Raja Sando Award for Contribution in Film direction^[10]
• 2007 – Santhome Communication Award for Best Director (Film – Onbadhu Roobai Nottu)^[11]
• 2007 – Sathyan Memorial Film Award for Best Director (Tamil) (Film – Pallikoodam)^[12]
• 2007 – GV SICA Award for Best Story Dialogues (Film – Pallikoodamm)^[13]
• 2007 - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director for Pallikoodamm)^[14]
• 2015 - Best literary Athiththanar Award for "Thankar Bachan Kathaigal" - A Short Story Collection.