Shanmugha Raja, known professionally as Mysskin, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist, playback singer, actor, film producer and composer.[1][2][3][4]
Mysskin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Shanmugha Raja 20 September 1971 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | Mysskin |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, Screenwriter, Lyrcist, Playback singer, Actor, Film producer, Composer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
He made his directorial debut in 2006 with Chithiram Pesuthadi. His subsequent films Anjathe (2008), Nandalala (2010) and Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum (2013) and Pisaasu (2014) received critical acclaim. He made his acting debut with Nandalala (2010), where he portrayed a mentally disabled man.[5]
Early life
editShanmugha Raja chose Mysskin as his assumed name, inspired by Prince Myshkin, the protagonist in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel The Idiot.[3][2] His schooling was in Tamil. He is an avid book reader.[6]
Career
editMysskin was working in a book store when director Kathir first asked him to join him. He was with him for nearly eight 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.[6]
Mysskin made his directorial debut in 2006 with the low-budget film Chithiram Pesuthadi, which went on 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. The leads, debutants Narain and Bhavana, went on to become popular faces following the success. He then directed Anjathe (2008) which became one of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil cinema. The film received critical acclaim for all departments of filmmaking. The film was also noted for its narrative style and mise-en-scène, which marked an example of Tamil new wave cinema.[7]
Mysskin went on to direct Nandalala (2010), a film loosely based on Takeshi Kitano's Kikujiro (1999) and being completely different from his first two ventures. The film is about a young boy and a mentally challenged person going in search of their respective mothers. Mysskin himself chose to play the mentally challenged character (marking his major acting debut) 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.[8]
His next film, Yuddham Sei (2011), a dark crime thriller was a hit at the box office as well. His visual style and directing prowess were appreciated and talked about by everybody.[9] In 2012, the superhero film Mugamoodi has all the makings of a successful film but ends up disappointing.[10] He then both produced and directed the film Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum (2013).[11] Mysskin, known for his offbeat subjects tries his hand for the first time at a horror thriller genre. Pisaasu (2014) which has the signature style of Mysskin has been produced by director Bala’s home banner B Studios.[12] In 2017, Thupparivaalan is inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective thriller Sherlock Holmes.[13]
Mysskin has found success as an actor in films not directed by him. In the film Savarakathi (2018), he played the antagonist opposite director Ram. The film was an average commercial success but was praised by critics. He also had an important cameo appearance in Thiagarajan Kumararaja's Super Deluxe (2019).[14] Later, he has directed the psychological thriller Psycho (2020).[15]
He has also played antagonistic roles in films such as Maaveeran (2023)[16] and Leo (2023).[17] He debuted as music director with Devil (2024).[18]
Filmmaking style
editMysskin is inspired by filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa, Robert Bresson and Takeshi Kitano. He is known for his peculiar combat sequences using elaborate storyboard[19][20] and real unarmed martial strikes and stances;[21] 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 characterization (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.[22][23] He says that his films are influenced by the works of Kurosawa.[24]
His assistant directors like G. R. Adithya [25] and Sri Ganesh have also made successful films like Savarakathi and 8 Thottakkal.[26]
Personal life
editHis younger brother Aathityaa directed Devil (2024), for which he composed the music.[18]
Filmography
edit- All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
As director
edit| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Chithiram Pesuthadi | |
| 2008 | Anjathe | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Director |
| 2010 | Nandalala | |
| 2011 | Yuddham Sei | |
| 2012 | Mugamoodi | |
| 2013 | Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum | |
| 2014 | Pisaasu | |
| 2017 | Thupparivaalan | |
| 2020 | Psycho | |
| TBA | Pisaasu II † | Delayed |
| TBA | Train † | Post-production |
As actor
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Youth | Man in song "Old Model Laila" | Uncredited role | [27] |
| 2002 | Kadhal Virus | Man at film shoot | Uncredited role | [28] |
| 2005 | Jithan | Man at phone booth | Uncredited role | |
| 2010 | Nandalala | Bhaskar Mani | Lead role | |
| 2013 | Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum | Wolf / Edward | ||
| 2018 | Savarakkaththi | Mangeswaran | Also producer | |
| 2019 | Super Deluxe | Arputham | ||
| Kattumaram | Singaram | |||
| Suttu Pidikka Utharavu | Ibrahim | |||
| 2021 | Bachelor | Pastor Doctor | Cameo appearance | |
| 2023 | Maaveeran | M. N. Jeyakodi | ||
| Are You Ok Baby? | Child Welfare Committee Director | |||
| Leo | Shanmugam | |||
| 2024 | Devil | Himself | Cameo appearance | |
| TBA | Love Insurance Kompany † | |||
| TBA | Dragon † |
As writer and producer
editThis is a list of films Mysskin worked for other directors.
| Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writer | Producer | |||
| 2018 | Savarakkaththi | Yes | Yes | |
| 2019 | Super Deluxe | Yes | ||
| 2024 | Devil | Presenter | Also music director | |
As singer and lyricist
edit| Year | Film | Credited as | Song | Composer | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singer | Lyricist | |||||
| 2006 | Chithiram Pesuthadi | No | Yes | "Aaahayam Aaahayam", "Idhu Enna Pudhu Kanavo (M)" | Sundar C Babu | |
| 2008 | Anjathe | Yes | No | "Kannadhasan Karaikudi", "Acham Thavir" | ||
| 2008 | Dindigul Sarathy | Yes | No | "Sutta Pazhama" | Dhina | |
| 2011 | Yuddham Sei | Yes | No | "Aararo" & "Vedham Pudhumai" | K | |
| 2012 | Mugamoodi | Yes | Yes | "Bar Anthem" | ||
| 2013 | Thulli Vilayadu | Yes | No | "Ammadi Aathadi" | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2015 | Kallappadam | Yes | No | "Vellakaara Rani" | K | |
| 2016 | Savarakkaththi | Yes | No | "Kathi Edukkuthaan" | Arrol Corelli | |
| No | Yes | "Thangakathi" | ||||
| 2017 | Thupparivaalan | Yes | Yes | "Ivan Thupparivaalan" | ||
| Detective (D) | Yes | No | "Title Track" | Telugu dubbed version | ||
| 2020 | Psycho | No | Yes | "Thaai Madiyil" | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 2024 | Devil | No | Yes | all songs | himself | |
References
edit- ^ "Mysskin — Missing the forest for the trees | FCCI". Journal of Indian Cinema. 20 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Ahead of Psycho's Release, Delving Into Mysskin's Unique Craft". The Quint. 21 January 2020. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Shanmugha Raja is the real name of director Mysskin". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ Lakshmi, V. (29 June 2022). "Mysskin turns composer for a crime thriller". Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ "Nandhalala is brilliant".
- ^ a b "Director Mysskin". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 5 October 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ^ Kalorth, Nithin (September 2013). "Identification and Analysis of Images in Anjathey". Media Watch. 4 (3): 391–399. doi:10.1177/0976091120130311. ISSN 0976-0911. S2CID 61507138.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Review: Nandhalala is brilliant". Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- ^ "Review: Yuddham Sei is gripping". Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- ^ "Review: Mugamoodi fails to impress".
- ^ "Onaayum Aattukuttiyum Movie Review by Common Man".
- ^ "Different from usual horror films".
- ^ "Thupparivaalan review: Vishal's film is a solid crime thriller".
- ^ "Super Deluxe: Director Mysskin spills the beans on Vijay Sethupathi film". India Today. 3 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "Psycho Review".
- ^ "Mysskin on his role in Sivakarthikeyan's 'Maaveeran': I will play a negative character who wears a traditional veshti and shirt". The Times of India. 30 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "When Thalapathy Vijay Left Mysskin With 'A BLOODY Mouth' During Leo Action Scene". Times Now. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Devil Movie Review: Works In Parts But Gets Undone In The End". TimesNow. 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Mysskin choreographs fights with storyboard". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Mysskin says storyboarding helps cut costs". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "Mysskin storyboarding combat sequence for Thupparivaalan". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ Films can be made without songs or heroines, says Mysskin
- ^ Cuss words are needed for realism, says Mysskin
- ^ Mysskin admits Kurosawa influence
- ^ "Passionate & proud".
- ^ V, Harshini S. (6 August 2022). "Mysskin Sir Introduced Me To World Cinema: Kuruthi Aattam Filmmaker Sri Ganesh". www.filmcompanion.in. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Did you know Mysskin's debut on-screen appearance was with Vijay's 'Youth'?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Mysskin's alter ego revealed in Vijay's yesteryear film with interesting titbits of his filmmaking journey".