SIDDHARTH
Siddharth was born in Tamil Nadu and completed his schooling and college in Chennai and Delhi. After completing his MBA in Mumbai, he worked as an assistant director to Mr. Mani Ratnam in Kannathil Muthamittal before making his acting debut in the 2003 with the Tamil film Boys.
After starring in Mani Ratnam’s Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), Siddharth made a leap into the Telugu industry with Prabhu Deva’s Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana in 2005, which won him his first Filmfare Award for best actor for his portrayal of Santhosh, a playful NRI who fights for his love. Following this he worked with director Siva Kumar in film Chukkallo Chandrudu (2006), which showcased his talent not just as an actor but also as a screenplay writer and playback singer. He next debuted in Bollywood, as part of the critically acclaimed Rang De Basanti starring Aamir Khan, for which he received the Star Screen Debut Award for his role as Karan Singhania. Bommarillu (2006) directed by then newcomer Bhaskar, revolving around a father-son relationship, received critical acclaim and garnered box office success. He then worked with director Vishal Bhardwaj and Oscar winning cinematographer Guillermo Navarro on a short film titled Blood Brothers which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
After Aata in 2007, Siddharth took a sabbatical and did not have a release for 20 months. In 2009, he did Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam and Anand Ranga’s Oy! In 2010, he starred in his second Bollywood venture, Striker, which portrayed the life of a carrom player and became the first Bollywood film to be released in theatres as well as on YouTube, the same day. This was followed by Bawa, a village-based romantic family entertainer. His first release of 2011 was Prakash Kovelmundi’s fantasy epic Anaganaga O Dheerudu.
180 will mark Siddharth’s return to the Tamil film industry and will see him perform the role of a young romantic who lives in the power of the moment.
Siddharth is also the brand ambassador for Peter England.
PRIYA ANAND
Born on 17th September in Chennai, Priya was brought up in both Chennai and Hyderabad. Priya is proficient in English, Tamil and Telugu and speaks a little Bengali, Hindi and Spanish. Priya, who describes herself as “naturally extremely hyperactive”, became fascinated by films, developing an interest in cinema since childhood. She moved to the U. S., where she pursued her higher studies and returned to India in 2008 to pursue a career in films. She first ventured into modeling, appearing in various television commercials like Nutrine Maha Lacto, Prince Jewellery and Cadbury Dairy Milk.
She was initially supposed to make her acting debut in the Tamil film Pugaippadam, which she signed first but since its release was delayed until 2010, her first release became the action-thriller Vaamanan, directed by newcomer Ahmed. She next starred in her first Telugu film, AVM Productions’ Sekhar Kammula directed political drama Leader, alongside newcomers Rana Daggubati and Richa Gangopadhyay. She played Ratna Prabha, a television channel owner and friend to a young man, who would later go on to become a political leader. Although her screen presence in the film was very limited, her performance garnered an overwhelming response and was well received. The film itself earned positive reviews and became a critical success. The Dil Raju-produced family entertainer Rama Rama Krishna Krishna is her most recent release, in which she plays the love interest of the film’s male protagonist.
180 will be Priya’s first release this year.
NITHYA MENEN
Nithya Menen began her acting career with the movie Aakasha Gopuram with Mohanlal, directed by national award winning director K. P. Kumaran. She works mainly in the Malayalam film industry and has also acted in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films.
In her first Telugu movie Ala Modalaindi by director Nandini Reddy, apart from playing the lead, Nithya was also the playback singer for 2 songs. Her Kannada movie Josh, directed by Shivamani was a big hit. Her first release in 2011, Ala Modalaindi will be followed by Santosh Sivan’s much awaited Urumi. Her films Karmayogi and Veppam are also in post-production stages. The former is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Along with 180, she is currently working on two other films, namely, Sibi Malayil’s Violin, and the Kannada movie Jogaiah.
MUSIC DIRECTOR – SHARRETH
Sharreth comes from a family of musicians with father Mr.Vasudevan, retired income tax commissioner and mother Indira Devi, a vocalist in classical music. He is an ardent disciple of Padma Vibhushan Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna and received the Film Critics Association Award for best music director in 1995 for the film Pavithram. Since then he has won a number of awards including the Kerala State Award for best playback singer for Megha Theerdham and the Filmfare Award for best music director in 2009 for the film Thirakkadha. Some of his memorable works include Ottayalpattalam, Sindoorarekha, Kalavaramaye Mathilo and Pulliman.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – BALASUBRAMANIEM
Born on August 18, 1966, K.T. Balasubramaniem is a well-known cinematographer from Karaikudi. He completed his schooling and college in Thirupattur and worked in award-winning films such as Devarmagan, Thiruda-Thiruda, and Kuruthipunal under the tutelage of the acclaimed P.C. Sreeram for nearly 5 years. His dedication and passion for cinematography drew the attention of Padmashri Kamal Haasan, who gave him the opportunity to work as Director of Photography in an unreleased home production Ladies Only (Magaleer Mattum in Tamil). His film Vaatakudi Eranian, a historical film with director Selva earned him laurels.
DIRECTOR – JAYENDRA
Jayendra studied Chemistry but found his passion in advertising in 1978. He started his career as a copywriter in Chennai and then moved to Mumbai. In his years as creative writer he worked with agencies like HTA, Clarion, Ulka, and O&M to name a few. With hardly a years experience under his belt, he handled every major multinational account’s creative independently. In 1985 Jayendra decided to turn a creative consultant and had a unique distinction of consulting with three top agencies in Chennai at the same time – HTA, Mudra and Sistas.
In 1986, he teamed up with PC Sreeram to start JS Films. At a time when most agencies went to Mumbai to create their advertising films, it seemed like a crazy move for someone to start an ad film production house in Chennai. The urge to create and to prove that talent existed here and that there was no need for our agencies to look elsewhere was so large that it provided the courage to start the venture. Within a year, JS was handling productions from top ad agencies from Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. The tables were suddenly turned. Agencies were turning to Chennai to create their Ads. The brands who turned to Chennai for their films include Rasna, Vimal, Brooke Bond, MRF, Apollo Tyres, Pepsodent, Fair and Lovely, Bajaj, Hero, LIC and Complan to mention a few. Every one of the JS clients came back for more because it created advertising that worked. The firm believed that ads need to be created for the products to capture market share rather than awards.
In 1993 Jayendra decided to take another step and bring technology that will revolutionize ad film production to India. Teaming up with Senthil Kumar he set up Real Image Media Technologies to introduce non linear editing with Avid. Today 100% of ads are post produced using non linear editing systems. A change that took creativity in ad films to new heights. In his role as Director of Real Image, Jayendra has attended many trades shows and conferences in North America, Europe and the Far East.
Real Image has revolutionised the feature film in this country time and again. After non linear editing, it introduced digital surround sound and the movie experience in theatres changed forever. Today, Real Image is known across the world for its end to end digital cinema solution called Qube. A technology that even Hollywood has chosen to use.
Realising that technology can be creatively used to maximise impact in advertising, Real Image turned its focus to media and content delivery. Its QCN digital cinema advertising network uses the Qube platforms patented networking technologies to remove nightmare logistics from OOH Advertising and bring a new level of flexibility, reliability and reporting.
In 2008 Jayendra conceptualized and directed India’s first Carnatic Concert Film Margazhi Raagam. This was the first time in the world that 7 Red digital cinema cameras were used and it was a project that was widely discussed in Red user forums around the world. In 2009 in association with Sathyam Cinemas, Real Image also produced a Tamil feature film, Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru, shot and post produced completely with a digital work flow.
Jayendra’s passions are not contained to advertising and film making alone. He is associated with various social organizations and created films to bring awareness and funding to a variety of causes. Some of the organizations that have benefited from his time and commitment include The Banyan, an institute that cares for the Mentally Ill Destitute, Cancer Institute Adyar, Chatnath Trust which runs a unique orphanage called SOS village and The Sankara Eye Hospital. He is also on the board of Trustees of the Bhoomika Trust which focus on relief at the time of natural disasters and in the field of education, and Mahesh Memorial Trust which works in the area of cancer care, especially in children.
180 is Jayendra’s first feature film.
PRODUCERS – SATHYAM CINEMAS AND AGHAL FILMS
Sathyam Cinemas
Sathyam Cinemas has been a household name in Chennai since 1974 and is the city’s hottest entertainment destination. Over the last decade, it has become more of a lifestyle landmark for the city. Sathyam Cinemas strives to be at the forefront of media technology and endeavours to bring new entertainment technology to customers first. Apart from showcasing the latest blockbusters, it also houses Blur, the largest multi format gaming facility in India and the concept restaurants, ID and Ecstasy. Sathyam Cinemas has forayed into the music business with Think Music to distribute Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam film sound tracks via digital media and Purplenote to distribute non-film contemporary music. The latest addition to the organization is Escape, the first luxury multiplex in India.
In 2009, under the guidance of Managing Directors Mr. Kiran Reddy and Mr. Swaroop Reddy, Sathyam Cinemas announced its entry into feature film production with the Tamil film, Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru by director Nandini.
180 is Sathyam Cinemas’ second production.
Aghal Films
Aghal Films was founded by Srikanth Chandrasekaran. Srikanth is a chartered accountant by qualification and has been an investor and trader in the financial markets for the past 20 years. He co-founded Saravana Stocks, one of South India’s top stock broking houses in terms of volume. His passion for music and cinema led him to start his production venture under the banner Aghal Films, whose first production was the critically acclaimed Margazhi Raagam, a carnatic concert for the cinema featuring T.M.Krishna and Bombay Jayashree, directed by Jayendra. Srikanth is actively involved in philanthropic and social causes and founded Gift A Future, a social initiative which supports the education of about 1000 students through the portal www.giftafuture.org. He is also the co-founder of WeCAN, an organization that caters to the needs of children with autism.
180 is the first feature film for Aghal Films.
180 Movie Photo Gallery
