Gautham Vasudev Menon aka GVM - a name synonymous with romance,classy making and his unique cop entertainers. The engineering graduate turned director who had apprenticed under Rajiv Menon, began with a bang with his debut movie Minnale (2001), and went on to churn blockbusters like Kaakha Kaakha (2003),Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu (2006), Vaaranam Aayiram (2008), Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (2010).

GVM had the ability to shuttle between a romantic entertainer and an action packed cop story, and the unique specialty of placing a beautiful romance track even in his cop flicks, without making them look forced. He can make a full fledged movie focusing on romance like Karthik - Jessie's love story or Varun - Nithya's, and can also place a lovely romantic track like the ones between Anbuchelvan - Maya, Raghavan - Aradhana, Satyadev - Hemanika in the dark, action packed cop stories as well.

GVM's movies had classy, strong female characters which the audience can never forget, be it Maya, Aradhana, Jessie, Meghna, Priya, Nithya Vasudevan, or Hemanika, and his heroes were perfect gentlemen who treat their women like queens. His penchant for aesthetic visuals and pleasant music is evident with the fact that, having worked with multiple music directors in his two decade long career, like Isaignani Ilayaraja, AR Rahman, Harris Jayaraj and the latest being Darbuka Siva, he has been able to extract the best tunes and chartbuster numbers from each of them, making his movies memorable musical feasts.

He has been instrumental in shaping, redefining the careers of many, giving a complete image makeover - Suriya's career changed completely after Kaakha Kaakha, as prior to that, he was mostly cast in soft, lover boy roles, Jyothika got a wide variety of roles, ranging from the mature girl madly in love Maya, to the deadly, dangerous and scheming Smitha of Pachaikili Muthucharam, Simbu whose career got a huge lift and a change from his usual finger snapping/punch mouthing acts to a gentle, lovable boy next door Karthik in Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya, and even gave Thala Ajith Satyadev - a diversion from his usual stylish don characters.

Having said that, it has not always been a smooth ride for the maker as well, as he has had his fair share of downs, controversies and tiffs, but eventually got them all resolved. Be it the "Thala na yaarunga?" and later making Yennai Arindhaal with Ajith, the most celebrated combo with Harris Jayaraj splitting after Vaaranam Aayiram and coming back together with a superhit album for Yennai Arindhaal, the criticisms he had faced for Nadunisi Naaigal or the delays in release of movies like Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada, GVM has always risen strongly after falling, and one can only expect a cracker of a comeback from the classy maker with his upcoming flicks.

Wishing Gautham Menon, the man who romanticized guns and roses on screen like none other, and gave us memorable heroes and heroines like Anbuchelvan, Maya, Raghavan, Jessie, Krishnan, Karthik, Nithya Vasudevan, a happy birthday, and waiting to witness him make a stunning comeback with Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta and Dhruva Natchathiram this year!