Rajendran
Rajendran | |
|---|---|
 Rajendran at the Vilaasam Press Meet | |
| Born | 01.06.1966 Thootukudi, Tamil Nadu, India () |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Naan Kadavul Rajendran, Mottai Rajendran |
| Occupation(s) | Stunt double, actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1992–95, 2002–present |
A. Rajendran (born 1966),[1] credited as Motta Rajendran or Naan Kadavul Rajendran, is a stunt double, film actor and comedian working in Tamil cinema. He began acting in Pithamagan in 2003 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.[2] 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.[3]
Career
Rajendran began his film career working as a stunt double. According to Rajendar, his widely apparent alopecia universalis, an autoimmune disorder of complete loss of hair from all parts of the body, occurred after a stunt sequence in a film required him to jump into a pond, which he later found out was polluted with chemical waste from a nearby factory.[4] However, there is no scientific evidence of the disorder being caused by contact with any chemicals.
He played a small role in Pithamagan (2003) and made his full-fledged acting debut in Naan Kadavul (2009).[2][5] His performance as a cruel leader who tortures beggars earned critical acclaim with a critic noting that he is "menacing and loathsome".[6] Following his villainous comedy role in Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010), he says he was typecast in similar roles.[2][5] 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".[7] His first release in 2015 was Darling, where he appeared as the ghostbuster Ghost Gopal Varma.[5] 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".[8] 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.[5][9] 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".[10][11]
Filmography
Tamil films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Amaran | Henchman | Uncredited role |
| Thirumathi Palanisamy | Henchman | Uncredited role | |
| 1993 | Gentleman | Henchman | Uncredited role |
| 1995 | Puthiya Aatchi | Henchman | Uncredited role |
| 2003 | Lesa Lesa | Deva's friend | Uncredited role |
| Pithamagan | Prison Warden | ||
| 2005 | Thotti Jaya | ||
| 2006 | Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu | Henchman in 'Karka Karka' song | |
| Thalaimagan | Fighter | ||
| 2009 | Kandhakottai | ||
| Naan Kadavul | Thandavan | ||
| 2010 | Boss Engira Bhaskaran | Velpandi | |
| Baana Kaathadi | Gang Leader | ||
| Uthamaputhiran | Velu | ||
| Milaga | |||
| Thambi Arjuna | Mani | ||
| 2011 | Ilaignan | Kaalia | |
| Rowthiram | |||
| Thambikottai | Amirthalingam | ||
| Velayudham | A local goon | ||
| Ambuli | Gugan | ||
| 2013 | Samar | ||
| Kan Pesum Vaarthaigal | Janani's uncle | ||
| Singam 2 | Sagaayam | ||
| Pattathu Yaanai | Hotel Owner | ||
| Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam | Goolmaayi | ||
| Raja Rani | Henry | ||
| Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara | Painter Rajendran (Raj) | ||
| Maayai | |||
| 2014 | Kadhal Solla Aasai | Verumpuli | |
| Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani | |||
| Thirudan Police | Manickam | ||
| Vellaikaara Durai | Rajendran | ||
| Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani | |||
| 2015 | Darling | Ghost Gopal Varma | |
| Ivanuku Thannila Gandam | Mark | ||
| Kalakattam | |||
| Nannbenda | "Scorpio" Shankar | ||
| Kanchana 2 | Marudhu's brother | ||
| Masss | Ghost | ||
| Eli | Kuruvi Manda Kumaru | ||
| Palakkattu Madhavan | U.Santosh Kumar | ||
| Sakalakala Vallavan | Inspector Muthukaruppan / Robot | ||
| Adhibar | |||
| 49-O | Advertisement director | ||
| Jippaa Jimikki | |||
| Naanum Rowdydhaan | Rowdy Raja | ||
| Om Shanti Om | Vavval Pandi | ||
| Vedalam | "Kolkata" Kaali | ||
| 2016 | Peigal Jaakkirathai | ||
| Nayyapudai | Baby Anaconda | ||
| Vaaliba Raja | Ragendra | ||
| Theri | P. Rajender | ||
| Katha Solla Porom | |||
| Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran | Ghost 'Mottai' Guru | ||
| Enakku Innoru Per Irukku | Maha | ||
| Jackson Durai | Bradlee (Suruli) | ||
| Dhilluku Dhuddu | Mani | ||
| Wagah | PET Master | ||
| Yaanai Mel Kuthirai Savaari | |||
| Remo | Mohana Santhosh | ||
| Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru | Father Francis Rajendran | ||
| Atti | |||
| Veera Sivaji | CBI officer | ||
| 2017 | Bairavaa | Traffic police | |
| Enakku Vaaitha Adimaigal | Karuppu Rock | ||
| Mupparimanam | Himself | Cameo appearance | |
| Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva | Supreme Star Subash | ||
| Bruce Lee | Uncle of Abbas | ||
| Paambhu Sattai | water company owner | ||
| Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae | Chairman | ||
| Thangaratham | Malaichamy | ||
| Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan | Mani / Rajhu | ||
| Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum | Sultan Bhai | ||
| Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam | Rajendran | ||
| Katha Nayagan | Mike Maari | ||
| Neruppu Da | MLA Kabali | ||
| Bayama Irukku | Ajith | ||
| Pichuva Kaththi | |||
| Hara Hara Mahadevaki | Spike | ||
| Mersal | Health Minister | ||
| Brahma.com | Vanagamudi | ||
| 2018 | Gulaebaghavali | Annachi | |
| Madura Veeran | |||
| Kalakalappu 2 | |||
| Solli Vidava | Sanjay's father | ||
| Veera | Jonty Rhodes | ||
| Kaathadi | |||
| Munthal | |||
| Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuththu | Jack | ||
| Kaathiruppor Pattiyal | |||
| Mohana | |||
| Junga | Durai Singam | ||
| Ghajinikanth | Rajini's friend | ||
| Maniyaar Kudumbam | Chellakilli | ||
| Kolamavu Kokila | Alponse | ||
| Aaruthra | Avudaiappan's assistant | ||
| Seema Raja | Himself | Special appearance | |
| Nota | Ramaswamy | ||
| Kalavani Mappillai | Vanagamoodi | ||
| 2019 | Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven | Loan collector | |
| Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 | Viji's uncle | ||
| Nethraa | |||
| Pettikadai | |||
| Pottu | Thief | ||
| Boomerang | Film producer | ||
| Natpuna Ennanu Theriyuma | |||
| Dharmaprabhu | Shiva | ||
| Gorilla | Saloon Owner | ||
| A1 | CCTV Chidambaram | ||
| Jackpot | Motta | ||
| Puppy | |||
| 50/50 | Pachai Kulandhai |
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 | |
| 2019 | Chikati Gadilo Chitha Kottudu | Gopal Varma |
Kannada films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Naayaka | Nagappa | |
| 2017 | Kolara | Kannada film |
References
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Stunt-accident-left-him-hairless-and-with-plenty-of-roles/articleshow/55360906.cms
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rajendran opens up on his menacing voice and rough appearance". Indiaglitz. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ 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.