# R. Velraj

Rajamani Velraj is an Indian cinematographer, director and writer who primarily works in Tamil and Hindi cinema. He is known for his long-standing collaborations with Vetrimaaran and M. Muthaiah.

## Personal life

Rajamani Velraj was born in the village Kootthiyar Kundu near Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He went to PKN Boys Higher Secondary School (Tirumangalam), and studied at Madurai Sourastra College.

## Career

Early in his career, he worked as an assistant to cinematographer Tirru in several Tamil films. After working with actor Dhanush in Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Dhanush recommended Velraj for his next film, Polladhavan, directed by then debutant, Vetrimaaran. He won the Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer in 2008. Velraj and Vetrimaaran continued working together, from Aadukalam to their most recent film, Viduthalai Part 1 (2023). He made his directional debut with Velaiilla Pattadhari, starring Dhanush and Amala Paul and with Anirudh as the music director. The film was extremely successful and became a cult film. In 2015, he directed his second film, Thanga Magan. Velraj is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers.

## Filmography
### As cinematographer

| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
| 2002 | 23rd March 1931: Shaheed | Hindi | Ra Operator |
| 2003 | Supari | Hindi | |
| 2006 | Phir Hera Pheri | Hindi | |
| 2007 | Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Polladhavan | Tamil | Winner, Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer |
| 2008 | Kabhi Bhi Kahin Bhi | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Malabar Wedding | Malayalam | |
| 2010 | Kandahar | Malayalam | Collaborated with Ravi Varman |
| 2011 | Aadukalam | Tamil | Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer (Cameo appearance) |
| 2011 | Siruthai | Tamil | |
| 2011 | Engeyum Eppodhum | Tamil | Winner, Vikatan Award For Best Cinematographer |
| 2012 | 3 | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Savaari | Kannada | |
| 2012 | Leelai | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Naan Rajavaga Pogiren | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Ethir Neechal | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Udhayam NH4 | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Naiyaandi | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Velaiyilla Pattathari | Tamil | Director (Cameo appearance) |
| 2014 | Poriyaalan | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2015 | Komban | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2015 | Vai Raja Vai | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Paayum Puli | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2015 | Thanga Magan | Tamil | Director (Cameo appearance) |
| 2016 | Pugazh | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2016 | Marudhu | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Power Paandi | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2018 | Kadaikutty Singam | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2018 | Vada Chennai | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2019 | Dev | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Asuran | Tamil | (Cameo appearance) |
| 2019 | Sangathamizhan | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Pulikkuthi Pandi | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Udanpirappe | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Veerapandiyapuram | Tamil | |
| 2022 | The Legend | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Anel Meley Pani Thuli | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Pettaikaali | Tamil | TV series on Aha Tamil |
| 2022 | Kuttram Kuttrame | Tamil | |
| 2023 | Viduthalai Part 1 | Tamil | |
| 2023 | Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam | Tamil | |
| 2024 | Viduthalai Part 2 | Tamil | |

### As director

| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
| 2014 | Velaiilla Pattadhari | Tamil | Winner, Edison Award for Best Debut Director Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Cameo as Traffic Police |
| 2015 | Thanga Magan | Tamil | Cameo as Ramalingam |

### As actor

* Poriyaalan (2014)
* Kaalidas (2019)
* Asuran (2019)
* Udanpirappe (2021)
* Kuttram Kuttrame (2022)
* Viduthalai Part 1(2023)

## Awards

* Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer for Pollathavan (2007)
* Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Aadukalam (2011)
* SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer for Aadukalam (2011)
* SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director for Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014)
* SIIMA Award for Best cinematographer for Asuran (2019)
* Vikatan Cinema Awards for Best cinematographer for Viduthalai Part 1 (2023)