Rajesh Raman Pillai (7 October 1974 – 27 February 2016) was an Indian film director best known for his work in the Malayalam cinema.[2] He is credited with setting a new trend in Malayalam cinema with his thriller, Traffic (2011).
Rajesh Pillai made his directorial debut with Hridayathil Sookshikkan (2005) which turned out to be a commercial and critical failure.[3] His second film Traffic, written by brothers Bobby and Sanjay was released in 2011. The film has its narrative in a hyperlink format and is inspired by an actual event that happened in Chennai.[4] The film was a notable success and is widely regarded as one of the defining movies of the Malayalam New Wave.[5]
In August 2012, the director announced his next movie titled Motorcycle Diaries.[6] However Pillai put the project on hold and started the work of Mili, a heroine-centric film with Amala Paul in title role opposite Nivin Pauly.[7] The film released in January 2015 and received positive reviews from critics and became an above average grosser at box office.[8]
Suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Pillai died on 27 February 2016, at PVS Hospital, Kochi[9] He is survived by his wife Megha, father Raman Pillai, and an elder sister.
,_in_Panaji,_Goa.jpg)
