Name : Shanmugha Raja

Born On:20 September 1971,

Born In: Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Nationality: Indian

Career:Film director, actor,producer,singer,writer

Shanmugha Raja, known professionally as Mysskin is an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, singer and producer. He made his directorial debut in 2006 with Chithiram Pesuthadi. His subsequent films Anjathe (2008), Nandalala (2010) and Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum (2013) have received critical acclaim. He made his acting debut with Nandalala (2010), where he played a mentally-challenged man.

Career

He chose Mysskin or Myshkin as his assumed name inspired by Prince Myshkin, the protagonist in Dostoevsky’s novel The Idiot. His schooling was in Tamil and he is an avid book reader He was working in a book store when director Kathir first asked him to join him. He was with him for nearly 8 months but did not work in any movie. It was under director Vincent Selva that he did his first movie Youth, followed by Jithan, again under Vincent Selva. Mysskin made his directorial debut with the low -budget film Chithiram Pesudhadi which went to become one of the biggest hits of the year. A simple love story, it became a hit owing to the unique style the film was written in. Narain and Bhavana debuted as leads in the film became popular faces. He then moved on to Anjathe which became one of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil Cinema. The film received critical acclaim for all departments of film making. The film was also noted for its narrative style and mise en scene which marked an example of Tamil new wave cinema. It starred Narain, Prasanna, Vijayalakshmi Ahathian and yesteryears actor Pandiarajan in a never before seen role. Both the Mysskin films had item songs which became big hits and has captured the hearts of the young and old alike.

Anjathe catapulted Mysskin into the big league. He is touted to be one of the best young directors in Tamil cinema. In autumn 2009, Kamal Haasan confirmed a high-budget historical project directed by Mysskin was in the works. But the film did not get adequate funding (₹70 crore in 2009) and failed to take off.

Nevertheless, Mysskin came back with Nandalala a film loosely based on Takeshi Kitano’s Kikujiro was completely different from his first two ventures. A film which dealt with a young boy and a mentally challenged person going in search of their respective mothers. He chose to play the mentally challenged character after the script was turned down by many established actors. The film went on to become his most critically acclaimed film with some critics calling it one of the best Tamil films ever made. Nandalala won the people’s choice award at the Norway Film Festival. His next film, Yuddham Sei, a dark thriller was a huge hit at the box office as well. His visual style and directing prowess was appreciated and talked about by everybody. His next film, Mugamoodi has received negative responses from the public and media. His next film Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum (The Wolf and the lamb) was a fast-paced thriller released on 27 September 2013. It received superlative reviews from all corners. Audience and critics praised the film as a trendsetter and the changing face of Tamil cinema. Once again Mysskin proved that he is a director of high standards. In Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum, Mysskin acted as one among the two lead characters.

Pisasu released on December 19, 2014 and turned out to be a super hit. It also got high critical acclaim. It was one of the biggest commercial hits of 2014 in Tamil Cinema and proved to be the most profitable Tamil film of 2014. His film Thupparivaalan released on 14 September 2017. His latest film Savarakathi where he himself played as antagonist was released in 2018. The film was commercial success.

Film-making style

Mysskin is known for his peculiar combat sequences using elaborate storyboard and real unarmed martial’ strikes and stances; unconventional shots (like close-ups of feet); diegetic sound, light, silhouette and shadow; stage techniques (like monologue, face-floor, motion-freeze); staccato background score; meticulous scene and set construction; irony-laden dialogues; ellipses; minimalism; deep characterisation (with archetypal hairdo, dress, accent, posture, gesture, locale, furniture); limited use of song choreography; and neo-noir renditions where the lead role is not infallible.

Mysskin is known to start film shoot only after a bound script is ready. He rigorously annotates his scripts with cues and camera lens focal lengths for each scene. He says that his films are influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa. His plots predominantly deal with the urban poor and middle class. His films also have a recurring theme of compassion and redemption. His favorite directors are Robert Bresson, Melville, and Takeshi Kitano.