| Ganja Karuppu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Karuppu Raja [1] |
| Born | 5 January 1976 Nattarasankottai, Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Karuppu Raja known for his stage name Ganja Karuppu is an Indian actor who has predominantly appeared in comedy roles in Tamil cinema. After making his debut in Bala's Pithamagan (2003), Ganja Karuppu experienced success in the late 2000s with his roles in Raam (2005), Sivakasi (2005), Paruthiveeran (2007), Subramaniyapuram (2008) and Naadodigal (2009).
Karuppu was introduced as an actor by director Bala in Pithamagan (2003) as a person who works in the ganja plantations. As a result of the role, he was thereafter credited in films as Ganja Karuppu. [2] In the 2000s, he subsequently was regularly cast in rural films by directors, working on notable films including Ameer's Raam (2005) and Paruthiveeran (2007), Sasikumar's Subramaniapuram (2008), Samuthirakani's Naadodigal (2009) and Sargunam's Kalavani (2010). During the period, he was also cast in the second lead role in Chimbudevan's Arai En 305-il Kadavul (2008) alongside Santhanam, produced by S Pictures. [3] The period of success meant that he was cast in the lead role of a film titled Mannar Valaikuda by Dhanasekaran. Despite making progress, the film about the plight of the fishermen community did not have a theatrical release. [4] [5]
In 2012, Karuppu was set to enter Bollywood with a role in the Hindi remake of Samuthirakani's Poraali (2011), but the film eventually did not materialise. He had revealed that he would change his name to "Ganja Khan" for his stint in the Hindi film industry. [6] Karuppu chose to turn film producer with Velmurugan Borewells (2014) but the film went through production delays and had a low profile theatrical release, losing him a significant amount of money. Director Bala later criticised Karuppu for unnecessarily putting his acting career in jeopardy with the move. [7] [8] Following a period away from notable films, Karuppu made a comeback with significant roles in S. J. Surya's as Isai (2015) and Dharma Durai (2016). [9]
In 2017, he participated in the first season of the Tamil reality television show Bigg Boss hosted by Kamal Haasan. After regularly clashing with fellow actor Bharani, he was evicted on day 14.
He married Sangeetha, a physiotherapist, in January 2010 in a ceremony held in his home town of Nattarasankottai. [10] [11] His first son was born in April 2011 in Madurai. [12] In 2013, he chose to adopt the expenses of five mentally ill people in Trichy. [13] Later in 2016, he announced his intentions of becoming a politician. [14]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Pithamagan | Ganja Kudukki | credited as Sivagangai Karuppu |
| 2005 | Raam | Vazhavandhaan | |
| Thirudiya Idhayathai | |||
| Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy | |||
| Sivakasi | Udayappa's sidekick | ||
| Bambara Kannaley | |||
| Sandakozhi | Balu's house servant | ||
| 2006 | Kalvanin Kadhali | Karuppu | |
| Thirupathi | Muthu | ||
| Kodambakkam | |||
| Unnakum Ennakum | Karuppiah | ||
| Aran | Ganja Karuppu | ||
| Sivappathigaram | Vellai | ||
| Kizhakku Kadalkarai Salai | Petrol Pump Employee | ||
| Aacharya | Kokki | ||
| 2007 | Thaamirabharani | Muthu | |
| Paruthiveeran | Douglas | ||
| Pirappu | Kotti | ||
| Adavadi | |||
| Madurai Veeran | Himself | ||
| Thirumagan | |||
| Pasupathi c/o Rasakkapalayam | Karuppu | ||
| Azhagiya Thamizh Magan | Kathiravan's assistant | ||
| Mirugam | Idi Thangi | ||
| Nenjirukkum Varai | Auto Driver | ||
| Pazhaniappa Kalloori | |||
| 2008 | Pirivom Santhippom | Karuppu | |
| Pidichirukku | Esakki | ||
| Vilaiyattu | 25th Film | ||
| Arai En 305-il Kadavul | Mokkai Swami | ||
| Inba | Inba's uncle | ||
| Pandi | Thalaiathi | ||
| Subramaniapuram | Kaasi | ||
| Uliyin Osai | Soodamani | ||
| Thenavattu | Vellaiyan | ||
| Panchamirtham | Muthu | ||
| 2009 | A Aa E Ee | Kicha | |
| Kadhalna Summa Illai | |||
| Naadodigal | Maariyappan | ||
| Vaigai | Jeevarasi | ||
| Engal Aasan | Yogiyan | ||
| Malayan | |||
| Malai Malai | Karuppu | ||
| Aarupadai | Karuppu Raja | ||
| Aarumaname | Periyasamy and Chinnasamy | ||
| Suriyan Satta Kalloori | Idithangi | ||
| Yogi | 'Stills' Mani | ||
| Mathiya Chennai | |||
| Balam | Altap Arumugam | ||
| 2010 | Maanja Velu | Bhooshan | |
| Kathai | 50th Film | ||
| Aval Peyar Thamizharasi | Othappuli | ||
| Kutti Pisasu | Karuppu | ||
| Kattradhu Kalavu | |||
| Pen Singam | |||
| Kalavani | Panchayathu | ||
| Vamsam | Sombhu Mani | ||
| Sindhu Samaveli | |||
| Irandu Mugam | |||
| Ochayee | Azhagar | ||
| Aarvam | Tea master | ||
| Vallakottai | Veera Sangili | ||
| Magizchi | Rasappan | ||
| Siddu | Monnaiyan | ||
| 2011 | Thambikottai | Karuppu | |
| Sankarankovil | Killi Pillai | ||
| Venghai | Ganesan | ||
| Puli Vesham | Karuppu | ||
| Aayiram Vilakku | Tyson | ||
| Keezhatheru Kichaa | |||
| Thambi Vettothi Sundaram | Current | ||
| Konjam Sirippu Konjam Kobam | 75th Film | ||
| Poraali | Pulikutti | ||
| 2012 | Medhai | ||
| Oru Nadigaiyin Vaakkumoolam | Arokkiyasamy | ||
| Soozhnilai | |||
| Kondaan Koduthaan | Pachamuthu | ||
| Mazhaikaalam | |||
| Sooriya Nagaram | |||
| Ooh La La La | Iron Shop | ||
| Mayanginen Thayanginen | Muthukumar's friend | ||
| Mirattal | Kathi | ||
| Mayilu | |||
| Kai | Puyal Perumal | ||
| Akilan | |||
| 2013 | Naangaam Pirai | ||
| Vellachi | |||
| Keeripulla | |||
| Vetkathai Kettal Ennai Tharuvaai | |||
| Chikki Mukki | Pandi | ||
| Maiyam Konden | [15] | ||
| Thirumathi Thamizh | |||
| Orissa | Malayalam film | ||
| Thiru Pugazh | [16] | ||
| Sokkali | |||
| Nugam | |||
| Muthu Nagaram | |||
| Chithirayil Nilachoru | |||
| Kolagalam | |||
| Sandhithathum Sindhithathum | |||
| 2014 | Kovalanin Kadhali | ||
| Adhu Vera Idhu Vera | |||
| Amara | |||
| Kandharvan | |||
| Vetri Selvan | |||
| Kalkandu | Azhappan | ||
| Appuchi Gramam | |||
| Velmurugan Borewells | 100th Film | ||
| 2015 | Isai | Karuppu | |
| Paranjothi | |||
| Kangaroo | Kangaroo's friend | ||
| Lailaa O Lailaa | Auto driver | Malayalam film | |
| Maharani Kottai | |||
| Madhura Naranga | Sri Lankan Tamil tourist guide | Malayalam film | |
| 2016 | Sowkarpettai | ||
| Sandikuthirai | |||
| Dharma Durai | Compounder | ||
| 2017 | Unnai Thottu Kolla Vaa | ||
| Thondan | Xavier | ||
| Paakanum Pola Irukku | Choo Choo Maari | ||
| Ullam Ullavarai | |||
| Kurangu Bommai | Viji's brother | ||
| Kida Virundhu | |||
| Palli Paruvathile | Peon | ||
| Kalavadiya Pozhudugal | Gnanam | ||
| 2018 | Nimir | Sadha's brother-in-law | |
| Kannakkol | |||
| Kasu Mela Kasu | Cameo appearance | ||
| Sandakozhi 2 | Durai's servant | ||
| Bayangaramana Aalu | 125th Film | ||
| Piraanmalai | |||
| 2019 | Gilli Bambaram Goli | ||
| Thanimai | |||
| Kadhal Munnetra Kazhagam | |||
| Oviyavai Vitta Yaru | |||
| Vannakili Bharathi | |||
| Kalavani 2 | Panchayathu | ||
| Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu 2 | Paandi | ||
| 2020 | Irumbu Manithan | Munikannu | |
| Kombu | |||
| 2022 | Maamanithan | House Broker | |
| Nokka Nokka | |||
| Manja Kuruvi | |||
| Aruvaa Sanda | |||
| 2023 | En 6 Vaathiyaar Kaalpanthatta Kuzhu | ||
| Sri Sabari Ayyappan | |||
| 2024 | The Greatest Of All Time | TBA | Post production |
Pithamagan is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language action crime drama film written and directed by Bala. The film stars Vikram, Suriya, Laila and Sangeetha. Based on Jayakanthan's short story Nandhavanathil Oru Aandi, it revolves around a man who grew away from civilisation with minimal human contact, and as a result is animalistic.
Naan Kadavul is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Bala and produced by K. S. Sreenivasan. The film is based on the Tamil novel Yezhaam Ulagam by Jeyamohan, who also penned the dialogues for the film. The film stars Arya, Pooja Umashanker and Rajendran in the lead roles. The background score and soundtrack were composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Paruthiveeran is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Ameer. The film stars Karthi in his feature film debut as the title character, with Priyamani as the female lead and Ponvannan, Saravanan, Ganja Karuppu, Sampath Raj, and Sujatha Sivakumar playing supporting roles. Produced by Ameer, it features a soundtrack and score composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematograhy by Ramji and editing by Raja Mohammad. The film was remade into Bengali Bangladesh as PoraMon 2 (2018).
Ameer Sultan is an Indian film director, producer and actor, working in the Tamil film industry.
Pirivom Santhippom is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language family drama film written and directed by Karu Pazhaniappan starring Cheran and Sneha alongside an ensemble cast. The film is about the life of a young couple in a joint family with the Nagarathar community located in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu. The music was composed by Vidyasagar with cinematography by M. S. Prabhu and editing by Saravanan. The film released on 14 January 2008 and become a commercial success.
Subramaniapuram is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language period action film written, produced, and directed by Sasikumar. Sasikumar cast then relatively new actors Jai, Swathi, Samuthirakani, Ganja Karuppu, and himself in pivotal roles. The film also marked Swathi Reddy’s Tamil film debut. The music was composed by James Vasanthan with cinematography by S. R. Kathir and editing by Raja Mohammad.
Sasikumar Mahalingam is an Indian film director, actor, singer and producer. He worked as an assistant director for director Bala in Sethu (1999), also worked for director Ameer in his first two films Mounam Pesiyadhe (2002) and Raam (2005). He is best known in the Tamil film industry for his debut film Subramaniapuram (2008), which became a blockbuster.
Yogi is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Subramaniam Siva, starring director-turned-actor Ameer as the titular protagonist alongside Madhumitha, and Swathi, Vincent Asokan, Ponvannan, lyricist Snehan in his acting debut, and Ganja Karuppu. An uncredited remake of the 2005 South African Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi, the film was written and produced by Ameer himself, and features musical score composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.
Kalavaadiya Pozhuthugal is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Thangar Bachan. It stars Prabhu Deva and Bhumika Chawla, while Prakash Raj, Inbanila and Ganja Karuppu play supporting roles. Sathyaraj played a guest role as Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, reprising his role from Periyar (2007). After beginning production in 2009, the film produced by Ayngaran International experienced delays due to the studio's financial problems, before being released on 29 December 2017. It was praised for its story during its release.
Naadodigal (transl. Vagabonds) is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Samuthirakani and produced by S. Michael Rayappan under banner of Global Infotainment. The film stars Sasikumar along with Vijay Vasanth and Bharani, while Ananya and Abhinaya made their debut in Tamil and Malaysia-based Shanthini Deva enacting the lead female roles and Ganja Karuppu playing a pivotal role, providing comical relief.
The Vijay for Best Story, Screenplay Writer is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films.
The Vijay Award for Favorite Director is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films.
Vamsam (transl. Lineage) is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action film, starring debutante Arulnidhi and Sunaina in lead roles. The film is produced by Arulnidhi's father and M. Karunanidhi's youngest son, M. K. Thamizharasu, and features Jayaprakash, Ganja Karuppu, Kishore, Anupama Kumar among others in supporting roles. The film was released on 13 August 2010 to positive reviews and became a profitable venture at the box-office.
Easan is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language drama film written, directed and produced by Sasikumar, directing his second film after the blockbuster, Subramaniapuram. It stars Samuthirakani, Vaibhav, producer A. L. Alagappan, and Abhinaya in lead roles alongside several newcomers.
Poraali is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Samuthirakani and produced by Sasikumar. The film stars Sasikumar, Allari Naresh, Swati Reddy, Niveda Thomas, Vasundhara, Soori and Ganja Karuppu.
A. Rajendran, credited as Motta Rajendran or Naan Kadavul Rajendran, is an Indian stunt double and actor working mainly in Tamil cinema. He debuted in 2003 with the Tamil film Pithamagan and has worked as a stunt double for over 500 South Indian films since then. He played the role of a villain in Naan Kadavul (2009) and has continued to play villainous and later humorous supporting characters in a number of Tamil films. He is noted for his rough voice and alopecia universalis, which he claims was the result of coming into contact with industrial waste during a stunt sequence.
Chithirayil Nilachoru is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Prakash Nath, Vasundhara Kashyap and Sara Arjun, with Ashok Sundarrajan and Ganja Karuppu playing other pivotal characters. It was released on 18 October 2013.
Adutha Saattai is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action drama film which is a sequel to Saattai (2012), written and directed by M. Anbazhagan. The film is the third installment in the Saattai franchise. It stars Samuthirakani and Thambi Ramaiah with Athulya Ravi, debutant Kaushik Sundaram, and Yuvan in supporting roles. D. Imman who previously composed music for the prequel is replaced by Justin Prabhakaran. Principal photography of the film began on 12 December 2018.
Vaigai is a 2009 Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by L.R. Sundarapandi. The film stars Bala Joseph and Vishaka, with Sai Kumar, Thalaivasal Vijay, Ganja Karuppu, Thennavan, Shyam Ganesh, Singamuthu, Appukutty, and Ambani Shankar playing supporting roles. The film had music by Sabesh–Murali, cinematography by V. Lakshmipathi, and editing by K. M. K. Palanivel. The film released on 10 July 2009.
Evergreen Movie International is an Indian film production and distribution company headed by V. A. Durai. The studio collaborated with actor Sathyaraj and director Sakthi Chidambaram on multiple ventures in the early 2000s, before running into financial trouble through the making of Bala's Pithamagan (2003).
