Santhanam (actor)


N. Santhanam is an Indian film actor and producer who mainly works in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as a comedian on television, he rose to fame through his performances in STAR Vijay's Lollu Sabha enacting the lead role in spoofs of Tamil films. He was subsequently given a chance by actor Silambarasan to feature in a supporting role in Manmadhan and then was signed on to appear in a host of films, notably winning good reviews for his work in Sachien and Polladhavan. He appeared in a one-off leading role in Shankar's production Arai En 305-il Kadavul and Dagaaltysubsequently became a staple feature as a comedian in successful Tamil films during the period, with his market popularity helping stuck films find distributors.
Santhanam has also had embarked on collaborations with directors including gaining positive reviews for his work in M Rajesh's comic trilogy of Siva Manasula Sakthi, Boss Engira Bhaskaran and Oru Kal Oru Kannadi, winning the Vijay Award for Best Comedian for each one. He has also repeatedly collaborated in the films of A L Vijay, Siva and Sundar C as well as in films featuring Silambarasan, Arya and Udhayanidhi Stalin.
His consistently well-received performances and box office appeal in the early 2010s prompted the film industry to dub him as the "Comedy Superstar". In 2012, he began a film production company named Handmade Films and produced his first film, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya, which went on to become a commercially successful venture. Meanwhile, in 2014, he starred in the leading role again in the action comedy Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham, winning critical and commercial acclaim.

Career

Unlike comedians such as Vadivelu and Vivek who usually appear in comedy tracks separate from the main plot, Santhanam mostly plays either the male protagonist's friend or enemy, forming an essential part of the plot. He has noted that he actively avoided being a part of separate comedy tracks within films, maintaining that appearing as an actor in the story would stop his comedy from becoming monotonous.
His appeal at the box office was evident after films such as Leelai and Kadhal Pisase were able to find distributors following long delays, while Telugu film-makers S S Rajamouli and Sai Kiran Adivi partially shot scenes with the actor before releasing a Tamil version of their Telugu films, through Naan Ee and Vinayaga.
Santhanam's first production venture, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya directed by Manikandan, became a commercially successful venture upon release in January 2013. Producing the venture under his newly formed studio Handmade Films, Santhanam opted to introduce a predominantly new cast and keep a low budget for the project understanding that film production had "previously ended the careers of many". Featuring Santhanam as one of the three lead characters alongside his close friend and dermatologist Sethu and Power Star Srinivasan, the film was well received by critics, with a reviewer noting "there is a serious actor hidden somewhere inside Santhanam, who seems to be waiting for the right opportunity or role to break out of the comedian and sidekick roles he is confined to now", adding that "he can put many commercially successful actors to shame". He featured a journalist in Kannan's comedy film Settai alongside Arya and Premgi Amaren, also serving as an assistant director, while he then also played a popular role of a love guru in Sundar C's Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru. He continued to feature in well received roles in commercially successful films like Raja Rani and Vanakkam Chennai, and his work in Endrendrum Punnagai with Jiiva and Vinay, was also praised with a critic noting that "with his spot-on comedy, measured histrionics and his immense likeability, he is a revelation and provides some hearty laughs". A set-back came in the form of his fourth collaboration with Rajesh in All in All Azhagu Raja which became a surprise failure, and a critic wrote "though he does have his moments, the comedy seems to be forced, many of the scenes greatly exaggerated, and his portrayal of Kareena Chopra is a disaster".
In 2014, he appeared in the leading role in Srinath's Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham, a remake of the 2010 Telugu film Maryada Ramanna. In preparation for the film, Santhanam lost weight, sported a different look and attended dance classes as well as reducing his work by being more selective on accepting other scripts. The film opened in May 2014 to positive reviews and box office success with a critic noting that "it is a Santhanam show all the way" and that "he also delivers as a complete actor, displaying a range of emotions".

Personal life

Santhanam grew up in Pozhichalur, near Pallavaram in Chennai. Santhanam married Usha in 2004. It was an arranged marriage by their parents. They have three children.

Criticism

Santhanam was involved in controversy after he performed an impersonation of Mukesh Harane, a 24-year-old tobacco user who died of oral cancer and featured in health-risk warning cards before films in India, in the film All in All Azhagu Raja. In 2013, a dialogue laced with double entendres uttered by him in Endrendrum Punnagai created controversy. He was accused of making remarks against women; due to protests, the dialogue was removed from the film.

Selected filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
2004ManmadhanBobby
2008Arai En 305-il KadavulRaasu
2009Siva Manasula SakthiVivek
2010Boss Engira BhaskaranNallathambi
2011SiruthaiKaatuppoochi
2011VaanamSeenuSIIMA Award for Best Comedian
2012Oru Kal Oru KannadiParthasarathy
2013Kanna Laddu Thinna AasaiyaKKAlso producer
2013Theeya Velai Seiyyanum KumaruMokia/SathishReceived The Best Comedian Award 2013
2013Endrendrum PunnagaiBaby
2013Raja RaniSarathy
2014Vallavanukku Pullum AayudhamSakthiAlso producer
2015IBabu
2015Inimey IppadithaanSeenuAlso producer
2016Dhilluku DhudduKumar
2017Sakka Podu Podu RajaSanta
2019Dhilluku Dhuddu 2VijiAlso producer
2019A1Saravanan
2020DagaaltyGuru

Television

Awards

YearAwardCategoryFilmResult-
20094th Vijay AwardsBest ComedianSiva Manasula Sakthi-
201058th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Supporting ActorBoss Engira Bhaskaran-
2010Ananda Vikatan Cinema AwardsBest ComedianBoss Engira Bhaskaran-
2010Edison Awards Best ComedianBoss Engira Bhaskaran-
20105th Vijay AwardsBest ComedianBoss Engira Bhaskaran-
201159th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Supporting ActorDeiva Thirumagal-
201159th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Supporting ActorSiruthai-
2011Ananda Vikatan Cinema AwardsBest ComedianDeiva Thirumagal-
2011Ananda Vikatan Cinema AwardsBest ComedianVelayudham-
20116th Vijay AwardsBest ComedianDeiva Thirumagal-
2011SIIMA AwardsBest ComedianVaanam-
20127th Vijay AwardsBest ComedianOru Kal Oru Kannadi-
2012Ananda Vikatan Cinema AwardsBest ComedianOru Kal Oru Kannadi-
201260th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Supporting ActorOru Kal Oru Kannadi-
2012SIIMA AwardsBest ComedianOru Kal Oru Kannadi-
2012Norway Tamil Film Festival AwardsBest ComedianOru Kal Oru Kannadi
2012Edison Awards Best ComedianOru Kal Oru Kannadi
20138th Vijay AwardsBest ComedianTheeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru-
2013SIIMA AwardsBest ComedianTheeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru-
2013Behindwoods Gold Medal AwardBest Acting PerformanceRaja Rani-
2013Behindwoods Gold Medal AwardBest Acting PerformanceEndrendrum Punnagai-
20149th Vijay AwardsBest ComedianAranmanai-
2015SIIMA AwardsBest ComedianVasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga-