Janagaraj
Janagaraj is an Indian Tamil actor. He has acted in over 200 predominantly in Tamil cinema (Kollywood) as a comedian or in supporting roles. He also starred in few Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi films.[1]
Janagaraj | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1955 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978-2008, 2018-2019 |
Early life
Janagaraj was born to Vadivelu and Muthulakshmi in Chennai Tamil Nadu. He joined the Auditor General's Office as a Junior Division Clerk in 1976 and worked part-time as a theatre artist and a stage artist due to his desire to act and perform. He was friendly with Delhi Ganesh, another AGS employee who remains his closest friend to date.
Janagaraj joined Director Bharathiraja as his unofficial assistant. After seeing his talent during the shooting of Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Bharathiraja gave him the chance to act as a Brahmin in the same movie. Later in Puthiya Vaarpugal, Bharathiraja gave Janagaraj another sensational character as a minor boy named G .Srinivasan. Janagaraj had acted with a trouser and baniyan for that movie.
Janagaraj found his break in 1980 in Bharathi Raja's Nizhalgal and was among the most wanted comedians, having shared roles with major film stars like Sivakumar, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ramki, Sivaji Ganesan, and with major film directors like Mani Ratnam, K. Balachander and Suresh Krishna.
Film career
Beginning
In 1977, he was introduced by director Bharathiraja in Kilakke Pogum Rail, and he continues to give chance to him in his films Puthia Varppugal, Kathal ovium, and Oru kaithin diary.
Janagaraj's career however spun silver in the 1980s. Starting with Nizhalgal (1980), continuing in Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Palaivana Rojakkal (1986), Muthal Vasantham (1986), Agni Natchathiram (1988), Rajadhi Raja (1989) and Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989). Janagaraj became a popular comedian in Tamil. He is known for his peculiar voice and face expression. He has also acted in supporting roles in films like Nayakan (1987), Annamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995). He was main sidekick for Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in 80s and early 90s films. Suruli Rajan's untimely death pushed him to forefront for roles that demanded comedy as well as character support.
Later years
Janagaraj has also acted in character roles in films like Nayakan (1987), Kizhakku Vasal (1990), Annamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995). His latest roles were in King (2002), Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004) and M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) in supporting roles. He acted a negative role in Aayudham (2005). After a hiatus, Janagaraj made his acting comeback with 96 (2018) and Dha Dha 87 (2019).[2][3]
Award
Filmography
References
- "'I'm In A Reckless Mood, I Want To Showcase Something Different': A Conversation With Actor Janagaraj". 3 October 2018.
- "Janagaraj back to Tamil cinema with Vijay Sethupathi's '96'". Sify.
- Vasudevan, K. V. (24 December 2016). "Back with a bang" – via www.thehindu.com.