Dindigul I. Leoni also known as Dindigul Leoni or simply known as Leoni (Tamil: திண்டுக்கல் ஐ. லியோனி) (born 22 November 1954[1]) is a pattimandram anchor, social debates anchor, school teacher, orator, actor, television personality and political activist.[2] He received the adjective Dindigul which refers to his birthplace. He is well known for his political satire and humorous speech and also for his tongue-in-cheek remarks.[3][4] He currently serves as a talk show moderator in a pattimandram program telecast in Kalaignar TV. His son-in-law C. S. Amudhan is a filmmaker.[5]
Dindigul I. Leoni | |
|---|---|
| திண்டுக்கல் ஐ. லியோனி | |
| Born | 22 November 1954 |
| Occupation(s) | School Teacher, Orator, Politician |
| Years active | 1997, 2020 |
| Television | Kalaignar TV |
| Title | Kalaimamani |
| Political party | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |
| Spouse(s) | Dr.Palaniammal (deceased -when?) Amudha |
| Children | Ahalya Siva Kumar Sathish Kumar |
| Relatives | C. S. Amudhan (son-in-law) |
Career edit
Leoni initially served as a school teacher at the St. Mary's Higher Secondary School in Dindigul for a short stint. He then ventured into hosting social debate/pattimandram show "Nalla Pesunga Nallathaiye Pesunga" aired in Kalaignar TV. He eventually rose to fame and prominence in the state for his speeches in the television show.[6] He received the state award Kalaimamani in 2010 for his stage speeches from the Government of Tamil Nadu.[7]
He has campaigned for Tamil Nadu based political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, 2014 Indian general election and in 2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.[8][9]
He made his acting debut in 1997 Tamil film Ganga Gowri in a supporting role playing the role of Arun Vijay's father. He then made a comeback to film acting after a long gap of 23 years in 2020 for the unreleased film Aalambana.[10]
Personal life edit
His son, Leo Sivakumar, made his lead debut with Azhagiya Kanne (2023).[11]
Controversies edit
In August 2016, rumours were circulating in the social media which indicated that Leoni died in a car accident. Leoni filed a lawsuit against the rumours.[12]
In January 2018, during a pattimandram show telecast during Diwali season he made references citing Bharatiya Janata Party to "sleeper cells". He was criticised for his alleged political attacks on BJP.[13]
Filmography edit
- Films
- Ganga Gowri (1997)
- Panni Kutty (2022)
- Aalambana (TBA)
- Television
- Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (2021) - Zee Tamil (replaced by Jayaraj)
References edit
- ^ "Profile of Actor Dindigul I Leoni - Tamil Movie Data Base of Tamilstar.com". www.tamilstar.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ Bodiwala, Community Contributor Suresh. "Mr. Dindigul I. Leoni, Kalaignar TV fame joins Chicago Tamil Sangam to celebrate "Pongal Vizha 2015"". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ "Speakers fall silent as virus ruins election fever". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Case registered against pattimandram anchor Dindigul Leoni". News Today. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ Palani, Dhiwaharan. "C.S Amudhan Bashes People Who Accused That He Is Belong To DMK !! Says Had A Scene That Trolled "SEYAL" !! | Chennai Memes". Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Dindigul Leoni interview - time with COVID-19". Archived from the original on 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu Govt announces Kalaimamani awards". The Hindu. 28 January 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "அம்மா பிரதமரானால் எதிர்க்கட்சி மாப்ளைங்க வாலைச் சுருட்டிக்கணும் : திண்டுக்கல் ஐ.லியோனி பேட்டி". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "திமுக ஆட்சியில்தான் விழுப்புரம் வளர்ச்சி: திண்டுக்கல் ஐ.லியோனி". Dinamani. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ Dinamalar (17 February 2020). "23 வருடங்களுக்கு பிறகு மீண்டும் நடிக்க வந்த திண்டுக்கல் ஐ.லியோனி | after 23 years, i.leoni came back to acting". தினமலர் - சினிமா (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/news/2023/azhagiya-kanne-first-review-dindigul-i-leonis-son-leo-sivakumar-needs-training-in-acting-355506.html
- ^ "Dindigul Leoni files case over WhatsApp message". The Hindu. 2 September 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ Kumar, Pradeep (16 January 2018). "How Pattimandram took a political tone". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 July 2020.