Vaiyapuri (born 23 October 1968 as Ramakrishnan) is an Indian actor who has worked in Tamil-language films. He rose to fame by appearing in supporting roles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, often portraying supporting comedic characters. His first major role was in Balu Mahendra's Raman Abdullah (1997), while his roles in films including Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), Gemini (2002) and Mani Ratnam's Raavanan (2010) also garnered him acclaim.[1][2]
Vaiyapuri | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ramakrishnan 23 October 1968 Theni, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouse | Anandhi |
Career edit
In December 1986, Vaiyapuri moved from his hometown of Theni to Chennai hoping to become an actor in the Tamil film industry. Unable to immediately get a chance in films because of his skinny physical stature, he worked as a bearer at a hotel on Mount Road.[3] Vaiyapuri's first break came through television serials on Doordarshan, where he notably worked on an adaptation of Sujatha's Kolaiyuthir Kalam. He started his film career appearing as an extra and then in minor roles in films, before making a breakthrough with his role in Balu Mahendra's comedy film Raman Abdullah (1997).[4] The success of the film prompted several film makers to approach him for comedic roles in their projects, with the actor subsequently winning acclaim for his roles in Kadhal Palli (1997), Priyamudan (1998) and Kaathala Kaathala, where he collaborated with actor Kamal Haasan.[5] In the late 1990s, he continued appearing as a supporting actor, often portraying one of the several comedians in a film. His work in Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), where he portrayed a comedic role of a man slowly becoming a transgender, won him further critical acclaim.[6][7]
Throughout his career, Vaiyapuri has often appeared in films starring Kamal Haasan and the actor selected Vaiyapuri for a major supporting role in the actor's Mumbai Xpress (2005).[8][9] Vaiyapuri was later cast as a transgender in Mani Ratnam's Raavanan (2010), which he described as a "major turning point" in his career. He shot for the film alongside an ensemble cast including Vikram and Aishwarya Rai, with the film winning critical acclaim upon release.[10] In 2010, he announced that he was set to play the protagonist in a film directed by newcomer Devindiran, while he had also shot for a Malayalam film titled Kalyanamam Kalyanam where he portrayed the second lead. However neither film eventually had a theatrical release.[11][12][13] In the 2010s, Vaiyapuri was cast in less films as the Tamil film industry generally moved away from including separate comedy tracks in films. He has since worked on more low-budget films in supporting roles, while continuing to regularly collaborate in films starring Kamal Haasan such as Uttama Villain (2015) and Papanasam (2015).
In 2017, Vaiyapuri received media attention for taking part in the reality television show Bigg Boss hosted by Kamal Haasan. After spending 84 days in the house, he was evicted in a poll by the public.[14]
Filmography edit
Television edit
| Year | Show | Television | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2007 | My Dear Bhootham | Sun TV | Kittu, Moosa's Friend & Title Voice "Kalakkara Machi" |
| 2011 | Asatha Povathu Yaaru? | Sun TV | Judge |
| 2017 | Bigg Boss | Star Vijay | Contestant |
| 2017 | Nandini | Sun TV | Himself (guest role) |
| 2018 | Bigg Boss Tamil 2 | Star Vijay | Guest (day "85 to 91") |
| 2020 | Magarasi | Sun TV | Rajendran (guest role) |
| 2021 | Sundari | Sun TV | Kattam Kandhaswamy (guest role) |
| 2021 | Gokulathil Seethai | Zee Tamil | Varudhukutty (guest role) |
| 2022 | Amudhavum Annalakshmiyum | Zee Tamil | (guest role) |
References edit
- ^ "டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு". Archived from the original on 22 September 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Vaiyapuri The reel music director". indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Tasting success". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 6 January 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Tamil comedy actor Vaiyapuri profile and upcoming films".
- ^ "1997–98 Kodambakkam babies Page: Part 2". www.indolink.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "THEY MAKE US LAUGH". www.bbthots.com.
- ^ "New Page 1".
- ^ "Behindwoods : Vaiyapuri tops the chart". www.behindwoods.com.
- ^ thmrn. "Entertainment Chennai : Fun and frenzy on 'Mumbai Xpress'". The Hindu.[dead link]
- ^ "Vaiyapuri plays a transgender – Tamil Movie News – IndiaGlitz". 2 February 2009.
- ^ "Vaiyapuri to turn hero shorlty in P Vasu's assistant Devendiran's upcoming – KOLLY TALK". 22 April 2010.
- ^ "Serious comedy". Deccan Herald. 3 August 2013.
- ^ "Ganja Karup and Vaiyapuri to act in Malayalam". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ "Bigg Boss Tamil Week 12: Vaiyapuri evicted; Kamal Haasan awards Snehan 'Golden Ticket to Finale'". Firstpost. 18 September 2017.