Happy Birthday Gautham Menon: 4 memorable movies of the ace filmmaker

Director Gautham Menon turns a year older on February 25. The filmmaker has shaped some of the most quintessential romantic wholesome entertainers made in the history of Telugu and Tamil cinema. Gautham Menon debuted in Kollywood with the 2001 romantic drama, Minnale, starring Madhavan, Abbas, Reema Sen, Vivek and Nagesh. He further went on to make successful and critically acclaimed blockbusters that youth and families enjoy watching till this date. On his birthday, let's have a look at some of his most fondly-remembered films.

Directed by Gautham Menon, Gharshana tells the story of a cop who does not believe in the judicial system eliminates criminals. When he kills a gangster, his revenge-seeking brother kidnaps the girl he loves. This 2004 film went on to become a successful hit and Venkatesh, and Asin were highly praised for their remarkable performances. The musical cop romance marked Gautham Menon's arrival in Tollywood and expedited Venkatesh's film career moving from success to success. Composed by Harris Jayaraja and sung by KK and Suchitra in their style, Cheliya Cheliya, a peppy painful track from the film is still remembered by music lovers.

The 2010 romantic drama starring Samantha alongside Akkineni Naga Chaitanya celebrated the true love and the relationship between the young couple. It became one of the most commercially successful feel-good romantic entertainers and secured thee Nandi Awards for Best Screenplay Writer, Best Female Dubbing Artist and Special Jury Award and also won three Filmfare Awards and four CineMAA Awards. The film marked Samantha's debut in Telugu cinema. Academy Award winner AR Rahman had composed beautiful tunes for the music album which became a massive hit.

Gautham Menon's 2012 romantic entertainer Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu was a critically successful film. Starring Nani and Samantha in lead roles, the movie is centred on the childhood friendship turning into love. Tamil actor Jiiva made a small appearance in the film. Photon Kathaas production won five Nandi Awards including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Music Director, Best Lyricist and Special Jury Award. The film also had memorable music by Ilaiyaraaja, especially the romantic duet Yedhi Yedhi. Be it the dialogues of the songs, Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu became a rage upon release.

Starring Akkineni Naga Chaitanya and Manjima Mohan in the leads, Gautham Menon's 2016 film about a youngster who hesitant to reveal his identity learns that his girlfriend's family is in critical condition as an evil conspiracy planned against them and he decides to protect them. Despite demonetisation, the film turned out to be an unexpected success. The film marked the Tollywood debut of Keralite Manjima Mohan and also marked the second collaboration between Gautham Menon and Naga Chaitanya. Manjima Mohan won Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for the film.

Here's wishing Gautham Menon a very happy birthday!