Rajendran
Motta Rajendran | |
---|---|
![]() Rajendran at the Vilaasam Press Meet | |
Born | 1956 or 1957 (age 66–67)[1] Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Other names | Naan Kadavul Rajendran, Mottai Rajendran |
Occupation(s) | Stunt double, actor, comedian |
Years active | 1978-present |
A. Rajendran,[2] credited as Motta Rajendran or Naan Kadavul Rajendran, is an Indian stunt double, film actor and comedian working mainly in Tamil cinema. He debuted in 2003 with the Tamil film Pithamagan and has worked as a stunt double for over 500 South Indian films since then. He played the role of a villain in Naan Kadavul (2009) and has continued to play villainous and later humorous supporting characters in a number of Tamil films.[3] He is noted for his rough voice and alopecia universalis, which he claims was the result of coming into contact with industrial waste during a stunt sequence.[4][5]
Career
Rajendran began his film career working as a stunt double in over hundreds of south Indian films mostly in Tamil films.
He played a small but significant role in Pithamagan (2003) and made his full-fledged acting debut as a Villain in Naan Kadavul (2009).[3][6] His performance as a cruel leader who tortures beggars earned critical acclaim with a critic noting that he is "menacing and loathsome".[7] Following his villainous comedy role in Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010), he says he was typecast in similar roles.[3][6] His appearance as a killer who dons the garb of women in Thirudan Police (2014) was appreciated by critics as "the ultimate showstealer and his already popular lady makeover clinches it big time".[8] His first release in 2015 was Darling, where he appeared as the ghostbuster Ghost Gopal Varma.[6] The Times of India wrote, "His bald head, thin figure and sandpapery voice make him effective for both villainous and comical roles but from the screams and whistles that his character gets, it is clear that he has made much more impact as a comedian".[9] His second release of the year was Ivanuku Thannila Gandam (2015), where he appeared as a murderer. Before its release, Rajendran's presence in the film's promotional videos received a positive response.[6][10] The film was released to negative reviews, though Rajendran's performance was appreciated by critics, one of whom noted that "the film belongs to Rajendran as he comes out with his trademark dialogue delivery [...] and carries the entire film".[11][12]
Filmography
Tamil films
Malayalam films
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Thandavam | Shankar Das's Henchman | Uncredited role |
2016 | Sivapuram | ||
2018 | Street Lights | Surya | |
Odiyan | Odiyan doppelgänger | ||
2019 | Love Action Drama | SI Rajendran | |
Kamala | Thoothukudi Raja |
Telugu films
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Apthudu | ||
2005 | Sri | ||
2007 | Athidi | Henchman | |
2018 | Chalo | Senior Muthu | |
Nota | Ramaswamy | ||
2019 | Chikati Gadilo Chithakotudu | Gopal Varma | |
2021 | Oohinchaledu Kadu |
Kannada films
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Naayaka | Nagappa | |
2017 | Kolara | Kannada film |
References
- ^ "Stunt accident left him hairless – and with plenty of roles | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Stunt accident left him hairless – and with plenty of roles | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ a b c S. R. Ashok Kumar (5 December 2010). "My First Break". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ^ "Stunt accident left him hairless – and with plenty of roles". The Times of India. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "பல ஆண்டுகள் ரகசியத்தை உடைத்த மொட்டை ராஜேந்திரன்!!". Samayam Tamil.
- ^ a b c d "Rajendran turns hot as comedian!". Sify.com. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Reality hits you hard -- Naan Kadavul". The Hindu. 13 February 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Thirudan Police Movie Review". Behindwoods.com. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Darling Movie Review". The Times of India. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Rajendran a Big Asset for Ivanuku Thannila Gandam". NDTV.com. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Ivanuku Thannila Gandam Movie Review: Rajendran Saves The Day But Only Just!". Filmibeat.com. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Review: Ivanuku Thanila Gandam". Sify.com. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.