Santhanam (actor)

Santhanam
Santhanam
Born
Santhanam Neelamegam

(1980-01-21) January 21, 1980 (age 44)[1]
Pozhichalur (near Pallavaram), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Actor, film producer
Years active2001–present
SpouseUsha[2]
Children3
HonoursKalaimamani - 2018
WebsiteOfficial website

Santhanam Neelamegam (born 21 January 1980) is an Indian actor and film producer who mainly works in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as a comedian on television, he rose to fame through his performances in Star Vijay's Lollu Sabha enacting the lead role in spoofs of Tamil films. He was subsequently given a chance by actor Silambarasan to feature in a supporting role in Manmadhan (2004) and then was signed on to appear in a host of films, notably winning good reviews for his work in Sachien (2005) and Polladhavan (2007). He appeared in a one-off leading role in Shankar's production Arai En 305-il Kadavul (2008) and became a staple feature as a comedian with his brand of insult comedy becoming very successful during the period, with his market popularity helping stuck films find distributors.[3][4]

Santhanam has also had embarked on collaborations with directors including gaining positive reviews for his work in M. Rajesh's comic trilogy of Siva Manasula Sakthi (2009), Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010) and Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012), winning the Vijay Award for Best Comedian for each one. He has also repeatedly collaborated in the films of A. L. Vijay, Siva and Sundar C as well.

His consistently well-received performances and box office appeal in the early 2010s prompted the film industry to dub him as the "Comedy Superstar".[5] In 2012, he began a film production company named Handmade Films and produced his first film, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya (2013), which went on to become a commercially successful venture. Meanwhile, in 2014, he starred in the leading role for the second time in the action comedy Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham.[6]

  1. ^ "Happy Birthday, Santhanam: Must-watch comedy riots of the entertaining star". The Times of India. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  2. ^ "I will write and direct a film soon: Santhanam". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Santhanam the most wanted!". The Times of India. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  4. ^ K. R. Manigandan (14 April 2012). "Comedy is serious business". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Santhanam named 'Comedy Superstar'". 27 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Santhanam Biography". Oneindia.in. Retrieved 16 November 2013.