Napoleon (actor)
 |
Napoleon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Kumaresan Duraisamy 2 December 1963 |
| Education | St. Joseph's College, Trichy |
| Occupation | Film actor Politician Social entrepreneur Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse |
Jayasudha (m. 1993) |
| Children | Dhanoosh Gunal |
| Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Government of India | |
| In office 13 June 2009 – 20 March 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Manmohan Singh |
| Succeeded by | Selja Kumari |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party (2014-present)[1] |
| Other political affiliations | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1980-2014) |
| Residence | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Source: [1] | |
| Website | actornepoleon |
Kumaresan Duraisamy (born 2 December 1963), known professionally by his stage name Napoleon, is an Indian actor, politician and entrepreneur.[2] He was the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet. He has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English movies.[3]
Early life
He graduated from St. Joseph's College, Trichy.[4]
Career
Politics
After college, he moved to Trichy and became enthused by the ideologies of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party. He joined the party in which his uncle K. N. Nehru was already a member and at that time the Public Welfare Minister of the state government.[5]
Napoleon contested the State Assembly elections of 2001, winning the Villivakkam constituency contest and thereby becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu.[6] He lost his membership in the 2006 elections, when he contested from the Mylapore constituency and was defeated by actor S. Ve. Shekhar. Subsequently, Napoleon nurtured the Perambalur constituency in the hope of becoming a member of parliament for the DMK and succeeded in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. He was then appointed Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in Union government. Seen as a loyalist of Azhagiri, he was sidelined by DMK after the expulsion of the latter from the party in 2014. He joined the BJP in the presence of party President Amit Shah on 21 December 2014. He was made the party's state vice-president on 26 November 2015.[7]
Films
When aged 27, he watched the film Udhayam, the dubbed version of the Telugu film Siva, and was inspired to take up acting. He entered the Tamil film industry in 1991 with Bharathiraja's rural film Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, playing the antagonist role. After the stupendous success of Ejamaan (1993), Napoleon went on to play the villain to great effect in Malayalam and Telugu cinema too. He is praised for good best performance and acting in his Malayalam movie called Devasuram (1993). Napoleon turned hero on-screen too with Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) in which he played an anti-hero. After that film, Pratap Pothen gave Seevalaperi Pandi (1994). That film turned out to be a mega hit.[8] He was awarded Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his performance in Ettupatti Rasa (1997).
In 1998, he was awarded the Kalaimamani and MGR Award. From 2000 to 2006, he was appointed as the vice-president of the South Indian Film Artistes Association.
Later after years into film industry, he also got the chance to work in stone blockbuster movies such as Pokkiri (2007) and Dasavathaaram (2008).[9]
Though settled in Nashville, at the insistence of makers, he made his acting comeback with Kidaari (2016) and then went on to portray Gautham Karthik's father in Muthuramalingam (2017) replacing Karthik.[10][11]
After making his Hollywood debut in the supernatural thriller, Devil's Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge (2019), he is seen in another American independent film titled Christmas Coupon (2019). Napoleon also proudly announced that he is the only Tamil actor, who had acted in a Hollywood film, which was completely shot in the US.[12]
Entrepreneurship
Nepoleon Duraisamy forayed into IT Entrepreneurship and kick started "Jeevan Technologies" IT operations in Chennai, India in the year 2000. Jeevan is a trusted technology transformation partner of enterprises across the globe under his able mentorship.[13]
Social entrepreneurship
In 2010, Napoleon established Myopathy Unit of Jeevan Foundation, the Institute for Muscular Dystrophy & Research Center. It is a non-profit organization registered under the Tamil Nadu Trust Act.[14][15]
Achievements and awards
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Ettupatti Rasa (1997)
- Kalaimamani and MGR Award (1998)
- Vice-president of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association (2000–2006)
- Murasoli Trust "Kalaignar" Award, which is given to people who contribute to Tamil language, literature and culture (2007).
Filmography
- As actor
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu | Shankaralingam | Tamil | |
| MGR Nagaril | John Peter | Tamil | ||
| 1992 | Chinna Thayee | Chamundi | Tamil | |
| Bharathan | C.I.D. Johnson | Tamil | ||
| Nadodi Thendral | Swamikannu | Tamil | ||
| Oor Mariyadhai | Veerapandi | Tamil | ||
| Idhu Namma Bhoomi | Mirasudar | Tamil | ||
| Mudhal Seethanam | Tamil | |||
| Thalaivasal | Chandran | Tamil | ||
| Pangali | Tamil | |||
| Abhirami | Mr. Dhilip Kumar | Tamil | Guest appearance | |
| 1993 | Captain Magal | Robert Royappa | Tamil | |
| Pudhu Piravi | Tamil | |||
| Yejaman | Vallavarayan | Tamil | ||
| Minmini Poochigal | Victor | Tamil | ||
| Devasuram | Mundakal Shekaran | Malayalam | ||
| Munarivippu | Ranjith | Tamil | ||
| Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan | Guru Subramaniam | Tamil | ||
| Nallathe Nadakkum | Vikraman | Tamil | ||
| Dharma Seelan | Omer Sheriff | Tamil | ||
| Maravan | Shankarapandiyan | Tamil | ||
| Periyamma | Tamil | |||
| Enga Muthalali | Jayaraman | Tamil | ||
| Kizhakku Cheemayile | Shivanadi | Tamil | ||
| Kunthi Puthrudu | Sambasivudu | Telugu | ||
| 1994 | Hello Brother | Mithra | Telugu | |
| Seevalaperi Pandi | Pandi | Tamil | Debut as Hero | |
| Gandheevam | Vincent | Malayalam | ||
| Maindhan | Velayudam Pillai | Tamil | ||
| Pudhupatti Ponnuthayi | Tamil | |||
| Thozhar Pandian | Thaamaraiselvan | Tamil | ||
| Thamarai | Thamarai | Tamil | ||
| Mani Rathnam | Rathnam | Tamil | ||
| Vanaja Girija | Anand | Tamil | ||
| 1995 | Rajamuthirai | Markandeyan | Tamil | |
| Muthu Kaalai | Sakthivel | Tamil | ||
| Chinna Mani | Duraisamy Thevar | Tamil | ||
| En Pondatti Nallava | Rajappa | Tamil | ||
| Thamizhachi | Rasayya | Tamil | ||
| Asuran | Matthaiya | Tamil | ||
| Aakaya Pookkal | Suriya | Tamil | ||
| Maamanithan | Nagu | Tamil | ||
| 1996 | Thayagam | Pilot | Tamil | |
| Musthaffaa | Musthaffaa | Tamil | ||
| Puthiya Parasakthi | Rajadurai | Tamil | ||
| Rajali | Rajali | Tamil | ||
| 1997 | Ettupatti Rasa | Singaraj | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize, Also singer for song "Ettupatti Rasa" |
| 1998 | Kizhakkum Merkkum | Suryamurthy | Tamil | |
| Bhagavath Singh | Bhagavath Singh | Tamil | ||
| The Government | Deva | Tamil, Telugu, Kannada | ||
| 1999 | Maya | Pratap / Suriya | Tamil, Telugu, Kannada | |
| Billa Ranga | Ranga | Kannada | ||
| Ethirum Pudhirum | Arasappan | Tamil | ||
| Suyamvaram | Krishna | Tamil | ||
| Ponvizha | Bharathi | Tamil | ||
| Rowdy Brothers | Kannada | |||
| Sivan | Murugan | Tamil | ||
| 2000 | The Warrant | Ravi Ramakrishnan | Malayalam | Dubbed into Tamil as The Warrant |
| The Gang | Kevin | Malayalam | ||
| Karisakattu Poove | Kottai Sami | Tamil | ||
| Rayalaseema Ramanna Chowdary | Jadadhari Swamiji | Telugu | ||
| Manu Neethi | Muthazhagu | Tamil | ||
| 2001 | Megasandesam | Fr. Rossorriya | Malayalam | Dubbed into Tamil as Rosi |
| Kalakalappu | Veluthambi | Tamil | ||
| Ravana Prabhu | Mundakkal Sekharan | Malayalam | ||
| Veettoda Mappillai | Manikkam | Tamil | ||
| Mitta Miraasu | Singa Perumal | Tamil | ||
| 2002 | Kanal Kireedam | Albin | Malayalam | Dubbed into Tamil as Mary Albert |
| Thenkasi Pattanam | Dass | Tamil | ||
| 2004 | Virumaandi | Nallama Nayakkar | Tamil | |
| Adi Thadi | Surya | Tamil | ||
| Remote | Deenadayalu | Tamil | ||
| 2005 | Ayya | Madasamy | Tamil | |
| Veeranna | Mariappan, Veeranna | Tamil | Also singer for song "Veeranna" | |
| 2006 | Vattaram | Gurupadam | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Commissioner Mohammed Mohideen Khan IPS | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Krishnarjuna | Nallama Nayakkar | Telugu | |
| Sandai | Kamaraj | Tamil | ||
| Dasavathaaram | Kulothunga Chola II | Tamil | ||
| Aayutham Seivom | ACP Elumalai | Tamil | ||
| 2009 | Oy! | Dr. Harish Chandra Prasad | Telugu | |
| Azhagar Malai | Pandithurai | Tamil | ||
| Saleem | Singamanaidu | Telugu | ||
| 2011 | Ponnar Shankar | Thalaiyoor Kaali | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Kidaari | Kottur Durai | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Muthuramalingam | Mookiah Thevar | Tamil | |
| Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2 | Prabakaran | Tamil | ||
| 2018 | Ay.Na | Ayna | Malayalam | |
| Seema Raja | Ariya Raja | Tamil | ||
| Sharabha | Kartavaryudu | Telugu | ||
| 2019 | Devil's Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge | Dr. Sudhir | English | Hollywood Movie |
| Christmas Coupon | Agent Kumar | English | Hollywood Movie | |
| 2021 | Sulthan | Sethupathi | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Anbarivu | Muniyandi | Tamil | |
| One More Dream | School Principal | English | Hollywood Movie | |
| Trap City | Nathan | English | Hollywood Movie |
- As singer
| Year | Film | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | En Pondatti Nallava | "Ponnu Kulla" | |
| 1999 | Ettupatti Rasa | "Ettupatti Rasa" | |
| 2005 | Veeranna | "Veeranna" |
References
- ^ "Former union minister D Napoleon quits DMK; joins BJP". The Economic Times. 21 December 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ Manoj, CG (29 May 2009). "After MLA napoleon ready for real power". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ^ "INTERVIEW | Actor Napoleon on his Hollywood debut film 'Devil's Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge'".
- ^ "Exclusive biography of #Napoleon and on his life".
- ^ "Napolean Calls Uncle the Reason Behind Quitting DMK".
- ^ "DMK Leader and Former Union Minister Napoleon Joins BJP".
- ^ Siva, CG (26 November 2015). "தமிழக பாஜக துணைத் தலைவராக நடிகர் நெப்போலியன் நியமனம்". The Indian Express. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ^ "A villain is what I call an 'edhir naayagan': Napoleon, a veteran Tamil actor who almost quit acting- the New Indian Express".
- ^ "Kollywood Movie Actor Napoleon Biography, News, Photos, Videos".
- ^ "In the US, my son leads a normal life: Napoleon - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "How Napoleon became Gautham's father! - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Actor Napoleon plays a sports agent in his second Hollywood project, Christmas Coupon".
- ^ "Management Team".
- ^ http://www.jeevanfoundation.com/mayopathy/#:~:text=Mayopathy%20Unit%20of%20Jeevan%20Foundation,the%20Tamil%20Nadu%20Trust%20Act.
- ^ "Mayopathy".
External links
- 1963 births
- Living people
- 21st-century Indian male actors
- Tamil male actors
- Indian actor-politicians
- India MPs 2009–2014
- Male actors in Malayalam cinema
- Male actors from Tiruchirappalli
- Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu
- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians
- St Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli alumni
- Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award
- Lok Sabha members from Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
- Male actors in Tamil cinema
- Indian male film actors
- Male actors in Telugu cinema
- 20th-century Indian male actors
- People from Perambalur district