Sivakumar


Palaniswamy, better known by his stage name Sivakumar is an Indian film actor and visual artist who has portrayed a wide range of leading and supporting roles onscreen in Tamil cinema and television. He made his acting debut in A. C. Trilogchander's Kakkum Karangal. He has acted in over 190 movies in Tamil. He is also ambidextrous.
His sons Suriya and Karthi are actors as well as his elder daughter in-law Jyothika. And his daughter Brindha Sivakumar being a Playback Singer.

Career

Sivakumar came into the industry in 1965 as a supporting actor. In the late 1960s as a lead hero, he starred in a few notable Tamil movies such as Kandan Karunai, Thunivae Thozhan and Uyarndha Manidhan. Between 1965 and 1974 he was predominantly playing supporting roles, in films with M.G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan, Shivaji Ganesan and R. Muthuraman in the main lead roles. He has acted in supporting roles alongside Jayalalithaa in 7 films, which include Yarukkum Vetkam Illai, Thirumangalyam, Kavalkaran, Shakti Leelai, Ganga Gowri, Motor Sundram Pillai and Annai Velankanni and was romantically paired opposite her in Kandan Karunai and Shri Krishna Leelai. He started getting offers as the solo lead hero from 1974. Some of his successful films with him in lead role in the 1970s include Gumasthavin Magal, Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, Arangetram, Vellikizhamai Viratham, Panathukkaga, Melnaattu Marumagal, Pattikkaattu Raja, Sindhudhe Vaanam, Thangathile Vairam, Bhadrakali, Aattukara Alamelu, Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri, Kadavul Amaitha Medai and Enippadigal. The director duo of Devaraj and Mohan directed Sivakumar in lead role in 9 films - Ponnukku Thanga Manasu, Annakili, Uravadum Nenjam, Kavikkuyil, Sainthadamma Sainthadu, Chittu Kuruvi, Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari, Poonthalir and Isai Paadum Thendral. In fact, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have played supporting roles in films with Sivakumar in the lead role between 1972 and 1982.
From 1973 to the early 1990s, Sivakumar was a leading actor in Kollywood, acting in successful movies such as Annakili, Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari, Vandichakkaram and Sindhu Bhairavi. He has acted in nearly 200 films till date. He has co-starred with many leading Tamil actors of three generations, including Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan, S.S. Rajendran, R. Muthuraman, A.V.M. Rajan, Jaishankar, Ravichandran, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Sarath Kumar, Prabhu Ganesan, Karthik Muthuraman, Mohan, Arjun Sarja, Ajith, Vijay, Vikram and Suriya Sivakumar. He is a two-time winner of Filmfare Awards for his performances in Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari and Vandichakkaram. He is a two time recipient of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for best actor in the films Avan Aval Adhu and Agni Sakshi. His roles in Marupakkam and Sindhu Bhairavi showed his versatility as an actor, with the former winning the Golden Lotus Award for Best Feature Film. In the late 1990s, he ventured into television serials and is well known for his role as Raadhika's husband in the famous TV serial Chithi.
In recent times, he has ventured into public speaking, giving his opinion on various subjects, including Hindu theology. He has been praised for the fluency and style of his speeches.

Personal life

Sivakumar was born in Coimbatore. He is married to Lakshmi Kumari and the couple has three children; two sons who are actors, Suriya and Karthi and a daughter Brindha who is a playback singer. He is a devout Hindu and a devotee of Lord Sri Murugan. Sivakumar's elder daughter-in-law Jyothika is a Kollywood actress.

Filmography

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

Television

Sivakumar is a three-time recipient of Filmfare Awards and a two-time winner of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Filmfare Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards
Vijay Awards