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

(1968-10-23) 23 October 1968 (age 55)
NationalityIndian
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
SpouseAnandhi

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
Year Film Role Notes
1994 Karuththamma Bus Conductor
Mani Rathnam
1995 Chellakannu Barber
Ilaya Ragam
1996 Avvai Shanmughi Flower Decorator
1997 Love Today
Kadhal Palli Palli
Raasi Narikuravar
Raman Abdullah
Aahaa..!
Ullaasam Gopalu
1998 Kaadhale Nimmadhi Blind beggar
Maru Malarchi Palli
Dhinamdhorum
Kaadhala Kaadhala
Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi
Jolly
Harichandra Muthu
Sandhippoma Hospital patient
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Delhi
Sollamale Painter
Kannedhirey Thondrinal Dinesh
Senthooram
1999 Thulladha Manamum Thullum Kalyanasundaram
Ninaivirukkum Varai
Kallazhagar Govindankutti
Unnai Thedi Vaiyapuri
Chinna Raja
Periyanna Prisoner
Poomagal Oorvalam Muniyandi
Suyamvaram Potential groom
Nee Varuvai Ena
Amarkalam Mani
Anbulla Kadhalukku Vengaipuli
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga Gun Pandi
Maanaseega Kadhal
Ooty Vaiyapuri
Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum
Time Servant
Unnaruge Naan Irundhal
Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham Jambulingam
Hello Chandru's friend
2000 Good Luck
Hey Ram Vedha
Sudhandhiram
Thai Poranthachu
Pennin Manathai Thottu Mute servant
Simmasanam Thangarasu's friend
Rhythm umbrella salesman
Ilaiyavan
Uyirile Kalanthathu Siva's assistant
Priyamaanavale Stepnee
Anbudan Sathya's friend
Ennavale Charles
Parthen Rasithen Bus driver
2001 Paarvai Ondre Podhume Guru
Dumm Dumm Dumm Saami
Dhill Udumalai
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
Poovellam Un Vasam Durai
Chocolate
Veettoda Mappillai Dhamu
Kadal Pookkal
Majunu Vasanth's friend
Vadagupatti Maapillai
Piriyadha Varam Vendum Sanjay's friend
2002 Pammal K. Sambandam Dili
Alli Arjuna Meenatchi
Gemini Oberoi
Ezhumalai Marriage Broker's assistant
Nettru Varai Nee Yaaro
Raja Onan
Naina
En Mana Vaanil Azhagusundaram
Arputham Ashok's friend
Style Manikkam
2003 Military
Manasellam Bala's friend
Nala Damayanthi Ramji's cousin
Aahaa Ethanai Azhagu
Alaudin Alaudin's friend
Vani Mahal
Kadhaludan Marriage broker
Parasuram Anjali's uncle
Anbe Un Vasam Hussain
Enakku 20 Unakku 18 Train passenger
2004 Jai College Student
Adi Thadi
Arul Arul's friend
Jana Jana's servant
Maanasthan
Vasool Raja MBBS Piles Patient
Arasatchi Soosai
Attahasam Kumbudren Saamy
Vishwa Thulasi
M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi Velu
Super Da
2005 Thirupaachi Police Constable
Kadhal Seiya Virumbu Dharma
Kadhal FM Inspector
Arputha Theevu Vaiyapuri
Kochi Rajavu Malayalam film
Mumbai Xpress Johnson
Sivakasi Sivakasi's childhood friend
Kannamma
Priyasakhi
2006 Idhaya Thirudan
Vanjagan Ravi
Vattaram Burma's Sidekick
Prathi Gnayiru 9 Manimudhal 10.30 Varai Police officer
Azhagiya Asura
2007 Pokkiri Thamizh's friend
Deepavali Villager
Nanbanin Kadhali
Adavadi Michael
Urchagam Bhai
Vasantham Vanthachu Somu
Vel Mokkasami
Machakaaran Vicky's friend
2008 Nenjirukkumvarai Ninaivirukkum
Sadhu Miranda
Dasavathaaram Prabhu
Pandi Thief
Kuselan Kuppusamy's assistant
Keka Police Inspector Telugu film
Nayagan
Nadigai
Thiruvannamalai Thumbi Singaram
2009 Villu Pugazh's friend
Mayandi Kudumbathar
Unnai Kann Theduthe Rudhra's friend
Naalai Namadhe
Munnar Kanagavel
Thee Rajapandiyan's sidekick
2010 Thunichal
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Malayalam film
Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam Viruma
Kola Kolaya Mundhirika Constable Rajappan
Kanagavel Kaaka Karuppu
Raavanan Raasathi
Indrasena
Bale Pandiya
Chikku Bukku Singaram
Unakkaga En Kadhal Tata Birla
Androru Naal
Neethana Avan Venus
2011 Kaavalan Bhoomi's friend
Muthukku Muthaaga
Maapillai
Sabash Sariyana Potti
En Ullam Unnai Theduthey
Vellore Maavattam
Velayudham Speed's brother
Osthe Police Constable
Aduthathu
2012 Ullam
Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam Neighbour
2013 Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA
Ragalaipuram Insurance policy agent
Alex Pandian Nandu
2014 Enna Satham Indha Neram
Bramman Police Inspector
Thirudan Police Guest appearance
Vellaikaara Durai Land Broker
Amara
Ninaivil Nindraval
2015 Uttama Villain Snake charmer
Papanasam Restaurant Owner
Maharani Kottai Dhanakodi
Adhibar Bobby
Savaale Samaali
2016 Narathan Baskar's assistant
Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran Constable Vasanthakumar
Vellikizhamai 13am Thethi Saravanan's friend
Vendru Varuvaan
Thirumaal Perumai
Andaman
2017 Aarambamey Attakasam
Veera Vamsam
2018 Kalakalappu 2 Sathyamoorthy
Pakka
Annanuku Jai Narayanan
2019 Oviyavai Vitta Yaru
En Kaadhali Scene Podura
Love Action Drama Doctor Malayalam film
Market Raja MBBS Demo Patient
2020 Routtu
2021 Pei Mama
Operation JuJuPi Politician
2022 Yutha Satham Ambi
Viruman Auctioneer
Kanam Auto driver Maari
Riya - The Haunted House
Aattral Traffic Police
Powder Saamy
2023 Thalaikoothal transgender demigod
Jambu Maharishi
Kick
Leo Astrologer
Kapil Returns
License
Va Varalam Va
2024 Local Sarakku
Thug Life

Television

edit
Year Show Role Television Notes
2004-2007 My Dear Bootham Kittu, Moosa's Friend & Title Voice "Kalakkara Machi" Sun TV
2011 Asatha Povathu Yaaru? Judge Sun TV
2017 Bigg Boss Contestant Star Vijay
2017 Nandini Himself Sun TV guest role
2018 Bigg Boss Tamil 2 Guest Star Vijay from day 85 to 91
2020 Magarasi Rajendran Sun TV guest role
2021 Sundari Kattam Kandhaswamy Sun TV guest role
2021 Gokulathil Seethai Varudhukutty Zee Tamil guest role
2022 Amudhavum Annalakshmiyum Zee Tamil guest role

References

edit
  1. ^ "டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு". Archived from the original on 22 September 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Vaiyapuri The reel music director". indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Tasting success". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 6 January 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Tamil comedy actor Vaiyapuri profile and upcoming films".
  5. ^ "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)
  6. ^ "THEY MAKE US LAUGH". www.bbthots.com.
  7. ^ "New Page 1".
  8. ^ "Behindwoods : Vaiyapuri tops the chart". www.behindwoods.com.
  9. ^ thmrn. "Entertainment Chennai : Fun and frenzy on 'Mumbai Xpress'". The Hindu.[dead link]
  10. ^ "Vaiyapuri plays a transgender – Tamil Movie News – IndiaGlitz". 2 February 2009.
  11. ^ "Vaiyapuri to turn hero shorlty in P Vasu's assistant Devendiran's upcoming – KOLLY TALK". 22 April 2010.
  12. ^ "Serious comedy". Deccan Herald. 3 August 2013.
  13. ^ "Ganja Karup and Vaiyapuri to act in Malayalam". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Bigg Boss Tamil Week 12: Vaiyapuri evicted; Kamal Haasan awards Snehan 'Golden Ticket to Finale'". Firstpost. 18 September 2017.
edit