Santosh Rai Pathaje
Encyclopedia
Santosh Rai Pathaje is an ace Cinematographer and Director of Kannada Film Industry, also known popularly as Sandalwood. He is the Cinematographer of many Kannada movies like Bhaava Bhamaida, Law and Order, etc.
for the Ramu Enterprises banner. Then, Rai moved to Mumbai for two years, where he did a range of corporate and advertising films.
"I really enjoyed that stint, because you can deliver great quality in such films," he explains. "You can take two or three days to make a film of just 30 seconds' duration, and your budget for it would be huge too." However, he agrees readily that feature films give better professional fulfillment and satisfaction to a cinematographer, and so, he has now shifted completely to this kind of film. "I only want to make the kind of films that people really like to see," he says. "In other words, I mean that I like making commercial films." Rai returned to his home state from Mumbai a year ago, with the idea of becoming a script writer and director. He came up with his own original story, that he called Seven O' Clock
, and brought this rough script to Bangalore to try to sell it. Film producer N M Suresh liked his story, and promised to make a film out of it. However, at that time, Suresh was busy with his ongoing film Chappale, which was released recently. Meanwhile, Rai got offers to handle the camera for two more Kannada feature films, Mithayi Mane
and a black comedy film called Mata
, directed by Guruprasad, starring popular comedian Jaggesh
, well known actor of former years Sudarshan
.
He directed his first movie Seven O' Clock
for Producer N M Suresh with a unique story, good music and efficient picturisation. He was able extract good performances from his lead cast Mithun Thejaswi and Pooja kanwal
. However he chose not be the Cinematographer of this movie rather handling that to his good friend and ace cinematographer Chandrashekar. It seems there was a pact between the two Cinematographers that if at all anyone of them would direct a movie the other one would be the cameraman. Even though the movie was very good it failed to click at the Box office.
He directed his second movie Savi Savi Nenapu
with Prem
, Mallika Kapoor
and Tejaswini which also had excellent music and very good Cinematography by his friend Chandrashekar. But owing to the complex story of the movie it failed to click with the audiences. Later it was also dubbed to telugu as well.
Early days
He comes from the small town of ajirangala Kaniyoor, near Puttur and near of charvaka(shobha karandlaje native), on the Dakshina Kannada coast of Karnataka. He studied at St. Aloysius's in Mangalore, and then went on to graduate in journalism.Career
After attempting bits of writing and journalism, he studied cinematography at the Government Film and TV Institute in Bangalore for which he made a project film, titled Antharamukhi, with 16mm Kodak film. Interestingly, this film too was made on a commercial movie type of subject. After that, he worked as an assistant photographer to Ashok Kashyap on big budget Kannada feature films like Shivaraj Kumar starring Bhaava Bhaimada and Law and Order with Sai KumarSai Kumar (Telugu actor)
Sai Kumar born on 27 July 1960 as Pudipeddi Saikumar, is an Indian film actor and acclaimed dubbing expert who has made his name in the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil film industries...
for the Ramu Enterprises banner. Then, Rai moved to Mumbai for two years, where he did a range of corporate and advertising films.
"I really enjoyed that stint, because you can deliver great quality in such films," he explains. "You can take two or three days to make a film of just 30 seconds' duration, and your budget for it would be huge too." However, he agrees readily that feature films give better professional fulfillment and satisfaction to a cinematographer, and so, he has now shifted completely to this kind of film. "I only want to make the kind of films that people really like to see," he says. "In other words, I mean that I like making commercial films." Rai returned to his home state from Mumbai a year ago, with the idea of becoming a script writer and director. He came up with his own original story, that he called Seven O' Clock
Seven O' Clock
Seven O' Clock is a Kannada film released in 2005. It was produced by N. M. Suresh under the Thulaja Bhavani Creations banner. It is directed by well known Cinematographer, Director Santosh Rai Pathaje.-Plot:...
, and brought this rough script to Bangalore to try to sell it. Film producer N M Suresh liked his story, and promised to make a film out of it. However, at that time, Suresh was busy with his ongoing film Chappale, which was released recently. Meanwhile, Rai got offers to handle the camera for two more Kannada feature films, Mithayi Mane
Mithayi Mane
Mithai Mane is a 2005 Kannada film directed by Aarathi . The title was inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. The film explores the theme of how children would find fulfillment in a candy house they came across in a forest...
and a black comedy film called Mata
Mata
-People:* Mata , for people with the surname Mata* Mata Hari , stage name of exotic dancer, courtesan and spy Margaretha Zelle* Mata Amritanandamayi , Hindu spiritual leader and guru...
, directed by Guruprasad, starring popular comedian Jaggesh
Jaggesh
Jaggesh is an IndiaKannada film industry, known for the comedy roles he portrays in his movies. He has acted in movies such asSuper Nan Maga and Tharle Nan Maga. Jaggesh has a big fan following and is popularly referred to by his fans as Navarasa Nayaka. Jaggesh is a in the early 80's by playing...
, well known actor of former years Sudarshan
Sudarshan
Sudarshan can mean the name of the following persons:* Hanumappa Sudarshan - Right Livelihood and Padma Shri award winner, known for his work with the Soliga tribes of Karnataka, India* Sudarshan A...
.
He directed his first movie Seven O' Clock
Seven O' Clock
Seven O' Clock is a Kannada film released in 2005. It was produced by N. M. Suresh under the Thulaja Bhavani Creations banner. It is directed by well known Cinematographer, Director Santosh Rai Pathaje.-Plot:...
for Producer N M Suresh with a unique story, good music and efficient picturisation. He was able extract good performances from his lead cast Mithun Thejaswi and Pooja kanwal
Pooja Kanwal
-Personal life:Pooja is a daughter od Anita Kanwal . Pooja Kanwal was last seen on Sony's Palampur Express where she portrayed the lead role of Pawni...
. However he chose not be the Cinematographer of this movie rather handling that to his good friend and ace cinematographer Chandrashekar. It seems there was a pact between the two Cinematographers that if at all anyone of them would direct a movie the other one would be the cameraman. Even though the movie was very good it failed to click at the Box office.
He directed his second movie Savi Savi Nenapu
Savi Savi Nenapu
Savi Savi Nenapu is a Kannada film starring actor Prem and Mallika Kapoor in the lead roles amognst others. The film was released in 2007.-Synopsis:...
with Prem
Prem
Prem is a Sanskrit word meaning love. This word is also used in other languages including Assamese, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, and Telugu, and is commonly used as a male first name...
, Mallika Kapoor
Mallika Kapoor
Mallika Kapoor is an Indian film actress, working in the South Indian film industries.-Biography:Kapoor was raised in a middle-class Punjabi family. Her father works in the merchant navy and her mother is a housewife.-Career:...
and Tejaswini which also had excellent music and very good Cinematography by his friend Chandrashekar. But owing to the complex story of the movie it failed to click with the audiences. Later it was also dubbed to telugu as well.