# Krishnan–Panju

R. Krishnan (1909–1997) and S. Panju (1915–1984), collectively referred to as Krishnan–Panju, were Indian film directors. The duo directed more than 50 films in South Indian languages and in Hindi.

## Early life

R. Krishnan was born on 18 July 1909 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Previously, he was in charge of the laboratory in Pakshiraja Studios (then known as Kandhan studio) in Coimbatore.
S. Panju was born on 24 January 1915 as Panchapakesan in Umayalpuram near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. Previously, he worked as an assistant editor under P. K. Raja Sandow and as assistant director under Ellis R. Dungan. He was also a film editor who edited films under the name Punjabi or Panjabi.

## Career

They both worked for the Tamil film Araichimani or Manuneethi Chozhan (1942), which was directed by P. K. Raja Sandow in Kandhan Studio. Krishnan and Panju became friends at this time. Later, when Raja Sandow saw their skills, he gave them his next project Poompavai. The film Poompavai (1944) was their first directorial venture. In 1947, they directed Paithiyakkaran to support N. S. Krishnan's drama troupe, when he was jailed in the Lakshmikanthan murder case. After his acquittal, N. S. Krishnan also starred in the film. In 1949, they made Nallathambi, inspired by Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, in which C. N. Annadurai, who later became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, debuted as a script writer. In 1952, they made Parasakthi, for which the dialogues were written by M. Karunanidhi, who also later became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Parasakthi became a cult film in Tamil cinema and influenced the emergence of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a regional party, as a political force in Tamil Nadu. They also made Hindi films such as Bhabhi and Shaadi. They received the Kalaimamani award in 1960.

## Personal lives

Krishnan has sons and daughters, among his sons is film director K. Subash, who died in 2016 at the age of 57.

## Deaths

On 6 April 1984, S. Panju died in Chennai. Krishnan did not make any films after Panju's death. On 17 July 1997, Krishnan died in Chennai.

## Filmography

As Director
| Year | Film | Language | Banner | Ref. |
| 1944 | Poompaavai | Tamil | Leo Pictures | |
| 1947 | Paithiyakkaran | Tamil | N. S. K. Pictures | |
| 1949 | Nallathambi | Tamil | NSK Films & Uma Pictures | |
| 1949 | Ratnakumar | Tamil | Murugan Talkies | |
| 1952 | Parasakthi | Tamil | National Pictures | |
| 1953 | Kangal | Tamil | Motion Pictures Team | |
| 1954 | Ratha Kanneer | Tamil | National Pictures | |
| 1955 | Santhasakku | Kannada | Sri Panduranga Productions | |
| 1956 | Kula Dheivam | Tamil | SK Pictures | |
| 1957 | Pudhaiyal | Tamil | Kamal Brothers | |
| 1957 | Bhabhi | Hindi | AVM Productions | |
| 1958 | Mamiyar Mechina Marumagal | Tamil | AVM Productions | |
| 1959 | Barkha | Hindi | AVM Productions | |
| 1960 | Thilakam | Tamil | AVM Productions | |
| 1960 | Deivapiravi | Tamil | Kamal Brothers | |
| 1960 | Bindiya | Hindi | AVM Productions | |
| 1961 | Suhag Sindoor | Hindi | | |
| 1962 | Shaadi | Hindi | | |
| 1962 | Man-Mauji | Hindi | AVM Productions | |
| 1962 | Annai | Tamil | AVM Productions | |
| 1963 | Kunkhumam | Tamil | Rajamani Pictures | |
| 1964 | Vazhkai Vazhvatharke | Tamil | Kamal Brothers | |
| 1964 | Server Sundaram | Tamil | AVM Productions | 25th Film |
| 1964 | Mera Qasoor Kya Hai | Hindi | | Bahaar Films, Bombay |
| 1965 | Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum | Tamil | AVM Productions | |
| 1966 | Laadla | Hindi | AVM Productions | |
| 1966 | Leta Manasulu | Telugu | AVM Productions | |
| 1966 | Petralthan Pillaiya | Tamil | Emgeeyar Pictures | |
| 1968 | Do Kaliyaan | Hindi | AVM Productions | |
| 1968 | Uyarndha Manithan | Tamil | AVM Productions | |
| 1969 | Annaiyum Pithavum | Tamil | AVM Productions | |
| 1970 | Engal Thangam | Tamil | Mekala Pictures | |
| 1970 | Anadhai Anandhan | Tamil | Muthuvel Movies | |
| 1971 | Main Sunder Hoon | Hindi | AVM Productions | |
| 1971 | Rangarattinam | Tamil | S. J. Films | |
| 1972 | Pillaiyo Pillai | Tamil | Mekala Pictures | |
| 1972 | Idhaya Veenai | Tamil | Udhayam Productions | |
| 1972 | Akka Thamudu | Telugu | AVM Productions | |
| 1973 | Pookkari | Tamil | Anjugam Pictures | |
| 1974 | Samayalkaran | Tamil | Marina Movies | |
| 1974 | Shaandaar | Hindi | | |
| 1974 | Pathu Madha Bandham | Tamil | Sri Navaneetha Films | |
| 1974 | Kaliyuga Kannan | Tamil | Ajantha Enterprises | |
| 1975 | Vaazhnthu Kaattugiren | Tamil | S. S. K. Films | |
| 1975 | Kashmir Bullodu | Telugu | | |
| 1975 | Anaya Vilakku | Tamil | Anjugam Pictures | |
| 1976 | Vazhvu En Pakkam | Tamil | S. S. K. Films | |
| 1977 | Sonnathai Seiven | Tamil | | |
| 1977 | Ilaya Thalaimurai | Tamil | Yoga Chitra Productions | |
| 1977 | Enna Thavam Seithan | Tamil | Nalantha Movies | |
| 1977 | Chakravarthy | Tamil | P. V. T. Productions | |
| 1978 | Per Solla Oru Pillai | Tamil | Vani Chithra Productions | |
| 1978 | Annapoorani | Tamil | Vijayambika Films | |
| 1979 | Velli Ratham | Tamil | Astalakshmi Pictures | 50th Film |
| 1979 | Neela Malargal | Tamil | Sabari Cine Creations | |
| 1979 | Nadagame Ulagam | Tamil | Vijayambika Pictures | |
| 1980 | Mangala Nayagi | Tamil | J. C. Chowdry Arts | |
| 1980 | Malarum Ninaivugal | Tamil | Meenakshi Films | |
As Editor (Panju only)
| Year | Film | Language | Banner | Ref. |
| 1962 | Annai | Tamil | AVM Productions | |
| 1963 | Kunkhumam | Tamil | Rajamani Pictures | |

## Awards

* Filmfare Award for Best Film - Tamil - Server Sundaram (1964)