The Tamil film industry is still reeling from the shock of veteran producer RB Choudhary’s sudden demise a few days ago. The filmmaker was returning from a family wedding in a village in Rajasthan on Tuesday when cattle reportedly strayed onto the highway, causing the vehicle he was travelling in to lose control and crash into a roadside wall. Choudhary died on the spot.
Several actors and film personalities from Tamil cinema and other industries paid their last respects to the veteran producer on Wednesday. His son, actor Jiiva, who has been leading films for over two decades, had often benefited from his father’s guidance and experience throughout his career.
In an exclusive interview with Cinema Express in 2024, ahead of the release of his sci-fi thriller Black, the actor revealed why his father often "restricts" him. Black marked Jiiva’s full-fledged feature film in Tamil since 2022. Explaining the break, Jiiva explained how there are tons of investments made on heroes now. "I used to do one film every year or so. My dad also restricts me. He advises me not to choose films that would bring losses to producers," he said.
While Black was critically well received, his recent film Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil too saw commercial success alongside positive reviews. The comedy drama emerged victorious in the box office clash during Pongal this year. As a producer himself, RB Choudhary saw the efforts that filmmakers like him put for a project, earning him a respect and fame that transcended beyond the Tamil film industry. For the unversed,
RB Choudhary has been producing films since 1988 under his Super Good films banner. His first Tamil production came with Pudhu Vasantham (1990), which was the debut of director Vikraman. He received a Tamil Nadu State Film award for the film. The producer later backed the directorial debut venture of KS Ravikumar, Puriyada Pudir (1990).
He went on to produce Cheran Pandiyan (1991), Oor Mariyadhai (1992), Gokulam (1993), Nattamai (1994), Poove Unakkaga (1996), Sundara Purushan (1996), Mr Romeo (1996), Suryavamsam (1997), Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999), Aanandham (2001), Keerthi Chakra (2006), Jilla (2014), Godfather (2021). His last completed production was Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu's Maareesan (2025).
RB Choudhary had also introduced some noted directors and actors into the Tamil cinema industry including Vikraman and KS Ravikumar, Livingston, director Rasu Madhuravan, S Ezhil, Perarasu, and Rajakumaran.