T. P. Gajendran (1955 – 5 February 2023) was an Indian film director and actor who played minor roles.^[2][3] He directed more than 15 films and acted in more than 100 films. He was the son of Tuticorin MR.Perumal.^[4] Actress T. P. Muthulakshmi, his sister-in-law, helped with his upbringing.^[5]

Career

T.P. Gajendran worked as an assistant director to K. Balachander and Visu. He made his debut as an actor in the film Chidambara Rahasiyam (1985). In 1988, he made his directorial debut with the film Veedu Manaivi Makkal.

In the early 2000s, Gajendran directed a series of medium-budget family comedy drama films featuring Prabhu in titular lead roles.^[6][7] These include Budget Padmanabhan (2000), Middle Class Madhavan (2001), and Banda Paramasivam (2003), while a fourth film Aasai Vachen Unmele was shelved after a few schedules.^[8] He also attempted to make a Hindu devotional film, owing to the trend in Tamil cinema during 2001, but Karppoora Naayagi featuring Roja and Bhanupriya was later shelved.^[9]

In 2015, he was chosen as the president of Cinema Technicians Association (CTA).^[10]

Death

Gajendran died on 5 February 2023, at age 68.^[11]

Filmography

As director

Films

As actor

Television

• 2009–2012: Idhayam