Raju Sundaram

🪔 About

Raju Sundaram, born on March 7, 1968, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, is a highly acclaimed Indian choreographer, actor, and director, primarily recognized for his extensive work in Tamil and Telugu-language films. He hails from a distinguished family deeply rooted in dance; he is the eldest son of veteran dance master Mugur Sundar and Mahadevamma, and the elder brother to renowned choreographers and actors Prabhu Deva and Nagendra Prasad. Sundaram's journey in dance began as an assistant choreographer to his father, gaining hands-on experience in the film industry. He developed a distinctive style that seamlessly blends traditional Indian dance forms with contemporary movements, making his choreography energetic, precise, and visually captivating. His breakthrough as an independent choreographer came with the 1994 Tamil film *Kaadhalan*, where his work on songs like "Pettai Rap" became iconic. Over his prolific career, he has choreographed for over 130 projects, collaborating with leading filmmakers and actors across various Indian film industries. Beyond choreography, Sundaram has also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as *Jeans* (1998), *123* (2002), *I Love You Da* (2002), and *Quick Gun Murugan* (2009). He made his directorial debut with the Tamil action-comedy *Aegan* in 2008. His significant contributions to Indian cinema have earned him numerous accolades, including multiple National Film Awards, Nandi Awards, Filmfare Awards South, and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Choreography. He has also served as a judge on reality television shows, sharing his expertise and inspiring aspiring dancers. Raju Sundaram's enduring influence on South Indian cinema's dance landscape solidifies his position as a pivotal figure in the industry. Several choreographers and actors, including Dinesh, Sridhar, Jhony, Nobel Paul, Shobi, Baba Bhaskar, Viji Sathish, Japan Kumar, and Sathish Krishnan, have worked as his dancers and assistants, carrying forward his dynamic style. Awards & Honours: National Film Award for Best Choreography (2016), National Film Award for Best Choreography (2019), Nandi Award for Best Choreographer (2003), Nandi Award for Best Choreographer (2016), Filmfare Award South for Best Choreography (2004), Filmfare Award South for Best Choreography (2010), Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer (1994), Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer (1998), Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer (2010).