Sathyaraj

Sathyaraj

Sathyaraj (born October 3, 1954) is a lead actor in the Tamil film industry (Kollywood).

Although he frequently plays the lead character in his current films, Sathyaraj is perhaps best known for his roles as a cultured, charming villain. He played an significant part in changing the grammar of villainy as far as Tamil films are concerned. Until his entry, the traditional Tamil film villain, when potraying villainy, was aggressive in his posture, actions and delivery of dialogue. Sathyaraj introduced a more suave, nonchalant approach to depicting cruel villainy, avoiding indulgence in dramatic gestures and in heaping verbal blitz on the antagonist. His casually conveyed sarcasm of enquiring "Yennammaa kannu saukkyammaa?" ("how's it going, darlin'?") in his villain/hero roles (and other phrases, such as "Thagadu, thagadu" and "Yenn character-ey purinjika matringaley" ("You simply don't comprehend my character, do you?")) endeared him to audiences. He is noted for his smooth baritone and for his witty, ironic and flamboyant dialogue delivery.

Personal life

*Date of birth : 3 October 1954
*Birth place : Coimbatore
*Real Name : Rengaraj
*Father : Dr Subbiah
*Mother : Nathambal, daughter of the chieftain of Pollachi Uthukuli-ZAMIN(Kalingarayar Family)
*Siblings : Kalpana Arjun, Roopa Senathipathy
*Wife : Mageswari (married on 1979), Maathampatty Sivakumar's niece
*Daughter : Divya
*Son : Sibiraj

Sathyaraj completed his primary school education in Tamil at St Mary's Convent,Coimbatore. He completed the equivalent of the tenth standard in a suburban high school, Ramnagar, Coimbatore. In primary school, he was a first rank holder. After completing the fifth class, he saw M. G. Ramachandran's Vaettaikkaaran and immediately became a fan.

As his enthusiasm for films grew, his interest in his studies diminished. He passed his SSLC (Class 10 boards), scoring first-rank marks in history and geography at his school level. He joined the Government Arts College,Coimbatore and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in botany. Tamil actor/director Manivannan was a co-student in PUC (Class 12 Junior college), and the two began a friendship while there.

At this time Sathyaraj's family faced sudden economic difficulties, which forced Sathyaraj, after he had finished his studies, to work in his uncle Mathampatty Sivakumar's money-lending shop.

Career

Entry into films

One day Sathyaraj went to see the shooting of the film Annakkili, where he met actor Sivakumar. Sathyaraj later revealed his interest in film acting to his family, from whom he faced stiff opposition. He wrote a letter to his mother and put it into a post box opposite his house and left for Chennai.

In Chennai, he met actor Sivakumar and producer Thiruppur Manimaran and started pestering them to help fulfill his cinematic ambitions. Yet Sivakumar vehemently criticized his interest in acting and advised him to immediately return home. Nevertheless, Sathyaraj remained in Chennai, where he rented an inexpensive room at Usman Road. The producer of Thaainadu film, Maathampatty Sivakumar was sending him money every month. Annakkili Sivakumar made him join the drama troupe of Komal Swamynathan.

Early career

Sathyaraj's first film was Kodugal Illaatha Kolangal. Then he worked as production manager for the film Kannan Oru Kaikkuzhanthai. In addition to his managerial role, he also had a small acting part in the film. On the title credits of this film, his name was shown on screen with the description: "Aluvalaga Nirvaagam (Official Management): S.N. Rangaraj, B.Sc." and later still in the credits as "Sathyaraj" for his minor acting role. It was "Stills" Ravi who first captured him on film. Then cameraman-cum-director N.K. Viswanathan introduced him to T.N. Balu. This enabled him to act in Sattam Yen Kaiyil. Next, Sathyaraj acted in P. Madhavan's Yaenippadigal. In Kuruvikkoodu, Sathyaraj acted in the role of a negative hero.

Sathyaraj's film-acting career began with him playing minor characters who make brief appearances onscreen. His stature as an actor quickly grew from strength to strength, however, as he took up increasingly significant roles in film, playing lead villains opposite popular leading heroes before finally securing starring roles in Tamil films. His debut as a starring hero in films started with the film Saavi, directed by Karthik.

Contributions to film screenplay

Sathyaraj generally used to take part in story discussions that are held prior to film making. He went along with director R. Sunderrajan for participating in the discussion of the story that finally led to the birth of the film Saranaalayam. Then he took part in another story discussion and this story was later filmed as Nooraavathu Naal; in this film, Sathyaraj played a character with a shaven head. This role that he played earned him the reputation as an established actor. He wrote the story for a Telugu film Tharja Thongaa, co-acted by Suman and Vijayashanti.

Notable films

As a Villain

*1984 - Enakkul Oruvan
*1984 - Nooraavathu Naal
*1985 - Kaakki Sattai
*1985 - Muthal Mariyathai
*1986 - Mr. Bharath
*1986 - Vikram

As a Hero

Noughts

*2006 - Suyetchai MLA
*2006 - Kovai Brothers - 63 days' run [1]
*2005 - Vanakkam Thalaiva - 28 days' run [2]
*2005 - Vetrivel Sakthivel - 21 days' run [3]
*2005 - Englishkaaran
*2005 - 6'2
*2005 - Mannin Maindhan
*2005 - Iyer IPS
*2004 - Mahanadigan
*2004 - Azhagesan
*2004 - Jore
*2004 - Settai
*2004 - Sema Ragalai
*2004 - Adithadi
*2003 - Aalukkoru Aasai
*2003 - Sena
*2003 - Military
*2003 - Ramachandra
*2002 - Maaran
*2002 - Vivaramaana Aalu
*2001 - Aandaan Adimai
*2001 - Kunguma Pottu Gounder
*2001 - Asathal
*2001 - Looty
*2000 - Unnai Kan Thedudhey
*2000 - Veeranadai
*2000 - Puratchikaaran
*2000 - Ennamma Kannu''

Nineties

*1999 - Azhagarsamy
*1999 - Ponnu Veetukaaran
*1999 - Malabar Police
*1998 - Kalyana Galatta
*1997 - Vallal
*1997 - Pagaivan
*1997 - Periya Manushan
*1996 - Senadhipathi
*1995 - Maaman Magal
*1995 - Villadhi Villan
*1995 - Engirundho Vandhaan
*1994 - Thaaimaaman
*1994 - Thozhar Pandiyan
*1994 - Vandicholai Sinnarasu
*1994 - Veera Padhakkam
*1994 - Amaidhipadai
*1993 - Walter Vetrivel
*1993 - Kattalai
*1993 - Airport
*1993 - Udanpirappu
*1993 - Watchman Vadivel
*1992 - Rickshamama
*1992 - Magudam
*1992 - Pangaali
*1992 - Therkku Theru Machaan
*1992 - Thirumadhi Pazhanisamy
*1991 - Bramma
*1991 - Pudhu Manidhan
*1990 - Madurai Veeran Enga Saamy
*1990 - Nadigan
*1990 - Velai Kidaichiduchu
*1990 - Malluvety Minor
*1990 - Vaazhkai Sakkaram
*1990 - Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga

Eighties

*1989 - Vaathiyar Veetu Pillai - 100th film
*1989 - Annakili Sonna Kadhai
*1989 - Dravidan
*1989 - Thaai Naadu
*1989 - Pick Pocket
*1989 - Sinnappadas
*1988 - Pudhiya Vaanam
*1988 - Jeeva
*1988 - Anna Nagar Mudhal Theru
*1988 - Ganam Courtaar Avargaley
*1988 - En Bommakutty Ammavukku
*1987 - Poo Vizhi Vaasaliley
*1987 - Sinna Thambi Periya Thambi
*1987 - Jallikattu
*1987 - Vedham Pudhidhu
*1987 - Pookkal Vidum Thoodhu
*1987 - Makkal En Pakkam
*1987 - Kadamai Ganniyam Kattupaadu
*1987 - Aalapirandhavan
*1986 - Kadalora Kavidhaigal
*1986 - Vidinja Kalyanam
*1986 - Rasigan Oru Rasigai
*1986 - Dharmam
*1986 - Iravu Pookkal
*1986 - Mandhira Punnagai
*1985 - Thiramai
*1985 - Saavi

Awards

*Tamil Nadu Government's Kalaimaamani award
*M.G.R. Award in recognition of his performance in the film Nadigan

Trivia

He is of Kongu Vellalar ancestry. He is reported to have performed mimicry by mimicking Sivaji Ganesan's actions in front of Sivaji himself, and thus is told to have won a perfume bottle as a gift from the latter. Sathyaraj maintains a close friendship with Rajinikanth and with Kamal Hassan. Since 1986, he has remained an ardent supporter of the principles of Thanthai Periyar. Sathyaraj is a known atheist. He directed the film Villathi Villain and acted in the lead role. This was his 125th film for which he wrote the story, screenplay and dialogue.

His Favourite actors:
*M.G.R.
*Sivaji Ganesan
*M.R. Radha
*Nagesh
*S. V. Ranga Rao
*Chandra Babu
*Manivannan

His Favourite actress:
*B. Saroja Devi
*SujathaLeaders whom Sathyaraj respects:
*Buddha
*Karl Marx
*B. R. Ambedkar
*Thanthai Periyar
*Rajneesh

External links