Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, known professionally as Rajinikanth, is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning over five decades, he has done 170 films that includes films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam. He is widely regarded to be one of the most successful and popular actors in the history of Indian cinema. Known for his uniquely styled mannerism and one liners in films, he has a huge fan base internationally and has a cult following. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Bhushan in 2000, Padma Vibhushan in 2016, India's third and second highest civilian honours, and the highest award in the field of cinema Dadasaheb Phalke Award in the 67th National Film Awards ceremony (2019) for his contributions to Indian cinema. He has won many film awards including seven Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, a Nandi Award and one Filmfare Award.
Asha Kelunni, better known by her stage name Revathi, is an Indian actress and director, known for her works predominantly in Tamil and Malayalam cinema - in addition to Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films. She was one of the most successful leading actresses of South Indian cinema and has won several accolades, including three National Film Awards, and seven Filmfare Awards South. She has also won the Kerala State Film Award for her performance in Bhoothakaalam (2022).
Tiruchirapalli Srinivasan Rangarajan, professionally credited by his pseudonym Vaali was an Indian poet who has the record for writing the most songs in Tamil cinema. He is also recognised for a five-decade long association in the Tamil film industry and has written over 15,000 songs. He acted in a number of films, including Sathya, Hey Ram, Paarthale Paravasam and Poikkal Kudhirai. He was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour in 2007.
Athisaya Piravi is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language fantasy comedy film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and written by Panchu Arunachalam. It is a remake of the Telugu film Yamudiki Mogudu (1988). The film stars Rajinikanth, Kanaka, and Sheeba Akashdeep, while Nagesh, Jai Ganesh, Chinni Jayanth, Cho Ramaswamy, and Vinu Chakravarthy, among others, play supporting roles. It was released on 15 June 1990, and became a box office failure.
Raja Chinna Roja is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language children's film, directed by S. P. Muthuraman, and produced by AVM Productions. The plot revolves around Raja (Rajinikanth), who arrives in the city to become an actor. In the process he meets his childhood friend (Raghuvaran) and is forced to take care of his nieces and nephews.
Katha Sangama is a 1976 Indian Kannada-language anthology film, directed by Puttanna Kanagal, based on three short stories; Hangu by Giraddi Govindaraj, Athithi by Veena and Munithaayi by Eshwara Chandra. The film stars Kalyan Kumar, Rajinikanth, B. Saroja Devi and Aarathi in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Lokanath, Vamana Rao, Shivaramaiah and Master Umesh. The film won three awards at the 1975–76 Karnataka State Film Awards, including the award for Best Actress (Aarathi).
Kai Kodukkum Kai is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Mahendran, starring Rajinikanth and Revathi. It is an extended version of Munithayi written by Eeswarachandra – the third segment of the 1976 Kannada anthology film Katha Sangama. Rajnikanth, who played the antagonist in Munithayi, played the lead role in this film. The film was produced by Vijayakumar and R. Vijayachandran. It was released on 15 June 1984.
Mohan Rangachari known professionally as Crazy Mohan, was an Indian actor, comedian, screenwriter and playwright. An engineer by profession, Mohan started writing plays and established his own drama troupe called "Crazy Creations" in 1979. In addition to dramas and tele-serials, Mohan worked as a dialogue writer on a number of comedy films. Mohan had written over 30 plays, worked on over 40 films, having cameo roles in each film, and written 100 short stories. The Tamil Nadu state government in the year 2004, awarded him the Kalaimamani title for excellence in the field of arts and literature.
Vinayagar Sundar Vel, known professionally as Sundar C, is an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter, playback singerwho works in Tamil cinema. He has directed over 30 films and received the Kalaimamani award.
J. K. Rithesh was an Indian actor and member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He was a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament (MP) in the 15th Lok Sabha from Ramanathpuram constituency. In the Indian general elections of 2009, Rithesh received 294,945 votes to defeat his closest rival, Satiyamoorthy of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party by a margin of 69,215 votes. On 10 April 2014, he joined AIADMK as a primary member. He died on 13 April 2019, due to heart attack.
Rohini Molleti, known professionally as Rohini, is an Indian actress, screenwriter, dubbing artist and lyricist. She has mainly acted in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films along with few Kannada films. Having started her acting career at five, she has about films to her credit. She received National Film Award – Special Mention and Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Special Jury Award for Best Performance as Rangi in the 1995 film Stri.
Vennira Aadai Moorthy is an Indian actor and comedian in Tamil cinema. He has starred in many Tamil films and television serials as a comedian and also played supporting roles. He is a lawyer by education, and holds a B.L. degree in addition to a PhD in astrology. He is married to actress Manimala who played Suhasini's mother in Sindhu Bhairavi and the heroine in Vallavanukku Vallavan (1965). He is also a well known script-writer. Kamal Haasan's first full-fledged film as hero Maalai Sooda Vaa, had Murthy as a script writer.
Rajesh is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil and Malayalam films and serials. He has completed more than 47 years in films and appeared as lead roles and supporting roles in over 150 films. He has done roles ranging from a hero to character actor.
Shankar–Ganesh is an Indian music director duo who has worked on Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu movies for around 50 years.
Jai Ganesh was an Indian actor who appeared in Tamil plays and films. He had supporting roles in the films Aval Oru Thodar Kathai and Aattukara Alamelu, among others. His most popular roles have been as a supporting actor or as a villain in films such as Thaayillamal Naan Illai (1979) and Athisaya Piravi (1990). He acted as child artiste in films like Sampoorna Ramayanam and Missiamma.
Unakkaga Mattum is a 2000 Indian Tamil language film directed by Chinni Jayanth, making his directorial debut. The film stars himself, newcomer Adhithya, newcomer Poonam and Ramji. The film, produced by Jayasree Narayanan, had music composed by newcomer Bobby Shankar, Shankar's son and was released on 22 July 2000.
Vietnam Veedu Sundaram was an Indian playwright, screenwriter and film director. He wrote films such as Gauravam, Vietnam Veedu, Gnana Oli, Satyam, Grihapravesam, Justice Gopinath, Annan Oru Koyil, Naan Yen Pirandhen and Naalai Namadhe. He also directed a few films and is well known for his family themes. He written stories films in languages such as Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He also worked as an actor in films and television.
Kothanda Ramaiah is an Indian film director, producer, distributor and exhibitor. He has held various leading positions in different film industry organizations.
Chinna Pulla is a 1994 Indian Tamil language drama film directed by Marumalarchi Bharathi, credited as K. Baskaran. The film stars Chinni Jayanth and Revathi, with Ramesh Aravind, Thalaivaasal Vijay, Vijayakumar, Vadivukkarasi, Vennira Aadai Moorthy and Sathyapriya playing supporting roles. It was released on 16 December 1994. The film was one of the six films sent from Tamil Nadu for selection to the National Film Awards that year.
Kaanal Neer (transl. Mirage) is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Chinni Jayanth. The film stars J. K. Rithesh, Chinni Jayanth and Manisha Chatterjee. It was released on 12 April 2007.
