JD

Joseph D Samy (J.D) is a Tamil film and TV Series director based in Tamil Nadu. He was born on March 31, 1964 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. Along with Jerald Arockiam (Jerry), he initiated a filmmaking duo called J.D-Jery. The duo offers various media services under their film production company, JD-Jery's Media Park. They have also been producing advertisements for consumer brands and have directed several films and TV serials together.

J.D. and Jery met for the first time in college when they were pursuing their Bachelor's degree in Statistics from St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. They got connected due to their mutual interest in the film industry, and they started watching movies together. Later, they both pursued their Master's degrees from Presidency and Loyola College respectively. After completing his education, JD started working for a Tamil director, Balu Mahendra.

Later, he began to work with Jery in Doordarshan Media.  During this period, they directed various short films together, which were telecasted on a satellite channel. One day, their work got the attention of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachan, who later approached them to direct a movie under his production. Therefore, the duo initiated their media house under the banner of JD Jery’s Media Park in the early 2000s.

With over twenty-three years of experience in the industry, J.D-Jery has produced and directed several Television Serials, Ad Films, Documentaries, Telefilms, Animated Films, and Feature Films, as well as co-authored some books. They directed their first film called Ullaasam in 1997.  It was a romantic action movie, starring Vikram and Ajith Kumar as the main leads. The movie was produced by Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. Then in 2000, they made an animated film called Pandavas. It was an adaption of Mahabharata and won the National Award for Best Animated Film in English. In 2003, they directed another movie, Whistle, a horror movie, starring Sherin, Vikramaditya, Gayathri Raghuram, Manorama, and Vivek.

In 2007, the duo also worked as the production designers for the director Shankar in his movie Shivaji. In 2022, they directed a Pan-India, Science fiction action movie called The Legend. It is a Tamil-language movie, and the cast includes legendary actor Saravanan in the lead role along with Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela, Vivek, Geethika Tiwari, Nasser, and Suman in the supporting roles. Ruben and R. Velraj managed the cinematography and editing in the movie while the music has been composed by Harris Jayaraj. The movie was released in theatres on 28 July 2022. Later, it was also telecasted on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar and became a major blockbuster.

Besides movies, they have also directed several TV Shows in Tamil and Hindi language for some of the renowned TV channels. Some of their shows are Thagamai Irruppavargal, Kannuku Teriyatha Jeevangal, Kathugal, P.C Sorcar's Indrajal, Dear Thatha, Kanavugalai Nanavakum Computer, Aadarshila-Apprajitha, Ninaika Terintha Maname, Aadarshila-Arpitha, Kaditham, Cinemavin Marupakkam, Andiravu, Cinema Valartha Chella Piranigal, Devaki, Kalipetti, Thee, Irratayar Arratai, Ariyatha Mugangal, Titanic Oru Parvai, Innal Ponnal, Hollywood Paravai, etc.

J.D-Jery is also known for consistently directing commercials for various brands such as Chennai Silks, Saravana Stores, VGP Golden Beach, A2B, Pothys, JFA, Anjappar, Sakthi Masala, Sun Direct, and many more. The duo has also directed some documentaries, including Kalamkari, Bommallatam, Bhagavata Mela, and Nadaswaram, on issues that reflect various cultural aspects of Indian society. Besides directing, they both have also organized various programs and events, such as Leoni Pattimandram, Win TV Inauguration Fest, and Oli Utsav.

Similarly, they have written and published several books, including Kalamkari, Kanavugal Pesa, Vandhavan, Vilambara Padam Vera Level, Hollywood Cinema (Sila Pathivugal), Nadaswaram, and Kankatti Vilayattu. In their career, J.D. and Jery have received several awards for their outstanding work. In 2016, they won the Best Jewellery Advertisement for Sree Kumaran Thanga Maligai. Then in 2018, they won the Best Textile Advertisement for ‘The Chennai Silks’ and the Best Social Awareness Advertisement for a CCTV Campaign in 2019, along with Best Showroom Advertisement for ‘The Chennai Silks’.