The Journey of Thatharik Pandiselvaraj – From Theni to a Successful Career in Visual Communication
Thatharik Pandiselvaraj, a native of Theni Uthamapalayam near Cumbum, has built an inspiring career in visual communication. Born and raised in the scenic town of Theni, Thatharik completed his schooling there before moving to Chennai for higher education. He pursued a degree in Visual Communication despite not initially planning to enter this field. His decision stemmed from a lack of interest in mathematics and encouragement from his friend and sister, who saw his passion for photography.
Thatharik was determined to pursue his passion. In just two days, he learned video editing and presented impressive work to his father, who was so impressed that he allowed him to continue. This early success motivated Thatharik to master editing skills within a week to ten days, giving him the confidence to explore the field further.
Thatharikʼs growing interest in digital media helped him stand out in college. His confidence and dedication led to his election as the Designing Secretary in his second year and the Overall Department Secretary in his final year. These roles gave him control over student creative projects, enhancing his leadership and creative output.
To support his growing interest, Thatharikʼs father bought him a laptop despite financial difficulties. Thatharik taught himself editing and digital design using this laptop. Later, when he requested a camera for his projects, his father bought it despite being in debt. Thatharik took this as a responsibility to succeed and make his father proud.
Theni remains a special place for Thatharik. He explored the town with his friends, capturing its natural beauty through his lens. One of his major achievements was creating a documentary on tea garden workers in Theni, which won second prize at a national-level competition.
During the COVID19 lockdown, Thatharikʼs creative journey expanded into filmmaking. His brother-in-law, who works in the film industry, suggested that he try making short films. Over the lockdown period, Thatharik directed five short films with his friends. He formed a talented team, with his brother-in-law handling direction and Thatharik managing editing and production. After college, Thatharik decided to pursue further education. His seniors suggested an eight-month advanced course, which he completed to sharpen his skills. However, his professional journey wasnʼt easy. He faced bullying at one of his early jobs due to his rural background. Undeterred, he left the company and focused on freelancing.
However, being highly selective about his work environment, he waited for the right opportunity. Eventually, he accepted a job in Velachery as an editor. His talent was soon recognized, and he was promoted to a mentor role while continuing with editing, balancing both responsibilities effectively.
Thatharikʼs career took another leap when he started working with Madhan Sir while continuing his freelance projects. He also relocated his parents from Theni to Chennai, taking on greater responsibility for his familyʼs well-being. Thatharik now dreams of establishing his own brand, hiring developers, editors, graphic designers, and web designers to handle client work. His goal is to focus on brand building and delivering high-quality content for his clients. One of His Feature film yet to be released.
Thatharikʼs passion for film remains strong. His brother-in-law, an associate director of the movie Merry Christmas, continues to support him. The same team that helped him in the beginning remains his core support system. Thatharik has also worked on a web series for IBC Channel, expanding his creative footprint.
Currently, Thatharik is working on big-profile projects and is determined to build a successful brand. Despite the challenges he faced, his resilience and dedication continue to drive him toward greater achievements. His story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the unwavering support of family and friends.
