Janagaraj

Last updated

Janagaraj
Born (1955-05-29) 29 May 1955 (age 69)
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian
Years active1978–2008
2018-present
SpouseMalathi
Children1

Janagaraj is an Indian actor who has appeared in over 240 films predominantly in Tamil cinema as a comedian or in supporting roles. He also starred in few Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi films. [1]

Contents

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 Kizhake 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 of the villain (G. Srinivasan). Janagaraj had acted with a trouser and baniyan for that movie.

Janagaraj found his break in 1980 in Bharathiraja'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 1978, he was introduced by director Bharathiraja in Kizhake Pogum Rail and he continued to give chance to him in his films Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979), Kaadhal Oviyam (1982) and Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985).

Janagaraj's career however spun to 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 films. He is known for his peculiar voice and face expression. He has also acted in supporting roles in films like Nayakan (1987), Kizhakku Vasal (1990), 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

His latest roles were in King (2002), Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004) and M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) as 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

Tamil films

YearFilmRoleNotes
1978 Kizhake Pogum Rail Panchayat Member
1979 Suvarilladha Chiththirangal Palanisamy
Puthiya Vaarpugal Periyavar's son
1980 Kallukkul Eeram
Ilamai Kolam Suresh's friend
Nizhalgal Moneylender
1981 Enakkaga Kaathiru
Palaivana Solai Senthil
1982 Kalyana Kalam
Kaadhal Oviyam
Pakkathu Veetu Roja
1983 Paayum Puli Chinnasamy
Mann Vasanai School Teacher
Ilamai Kaalangal
Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey Fake doctor
Dhooram Adhighamillai
1984 Kuva Kuva Vaathugal
Nooravathu Naal John
Thambikku Entha Ooru Ramaiya
Pudhumai Penn
Shanthi Muhurtham
Ingeyum Oru Gangai
Unga Veetu Pillai
Iru Medhaigal Mahesh
Vai Sollil Veeranadi
Ambigai Neril Vanthaal
January 1
1985 Oru Kaidhiyin Diary Velappan
Mannukketha Ponnu Chinna Pannai
Kanni Rasi Shivaraman
Oru Malarin Payanam
Anni
Anbin Mugavari
Ambigai Neril Vanthaal
Uyarndha Ullam Mani
Muthal Mariyathai Rope-spinner
Marudhani
VetrikaniPaneer Selvam
Sri Raghavendra St. Sudeendrar's disciple
Puthiya Theerpu Constable
Thiramai
Padikkadavan Kabali
Sindhu Bhairavi Tambura Musician
Aan Paavam Kanagaraj
1986 Vikram Dubash Translator
Selvakku
Marakka Matten
Neethana Antha Kuyil
Anandha Kanneer
Isai Paadum Thendral
Kadalora Kavithaigal
Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum
Kaalamellam Unn Madiyil
Palaivana Rojakkal Majunu
Oru Iniya Udhayam Thavudu
1987 Kadhal Parisu Malini's uncle
Raja Mariyadhai Hanumanthu
Kudumbam Oru Koyil
Valayal Satham
Vilangu
Makkal En Pakkam
Ini Oru Sudhanthiram
Vairagyam
Jallikattu Janagaraj
Kaadhal Viduthalai
Theertha Karaiyinile Panchayat
Nayakan Selvam
Pookkal Vidum Thudhu Murugesan
Neram Nalla Irukku
Vedham Pudhithu Vaidehi's Suitor
1988 Annanagar Mudhal Theru Madhavan
Paimara Kappal
Poovukkul Boogambam
Urimai Geetham Ezhumalai
Ullathil Nalla Ullam Michael Raj's father
En Bommukutty Ammavukku Lawyer
Agni Natchathiram Lakshmipathi
Therkathi Kallan Pandian
Ganam Courtar Avargale Baski's mentor
Manasukkul Mathappu Vasu
Jeeva Dilli
Soora Samhaaram Jana
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
Nallavan Madhu
Sathya Naidu
Kodi Parakuthu Chinna Dhadha
Kaliyugam
Paravaigal Palavitham Shiva
Puthiya Vaanam Pattabi
Nethiyadi Mysore Manikam
1989Oru Thottil Sabatham
Nalaya Manithan Sergeant Shekar
En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan Lawyer
Thaai Naadu Samuel
Vaai Kozhuppu Baskar
Varusham Padhinaaru Rajamani
Moodu Manthiram
Rajadhi Raja Sethupathi
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan Vicky
En Rathathin Rathame
Apoorva Sagodharargal Police Inspector
Siva
Kakka Kadi
Oru Thottil Sabadham
Varusham 16 Rajamani
Manidhan Marivittan
Manandhal Mahadevan
Vetri Vizha Cameo appearance
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Jolly
Thiruppu Munai Pichandi
Ponnu Pakka Poren Balu
1990 Idhaya Thamarai Absence of mind man
Panakkaran Sabapathy
Pachai Kodi Kandasaamy
Arangetra Velai Naidu
Seetha Boopathy's father
Nila Pennae
Aarathi Edungadi Kaaliyapatti Ramasamy
Seetha Geetha
Vellaiya Thevan
Sathan Sollai Thattathe Gopinath
Kizhakku Vasal Thayamma's father
Anjali Watchman
Keladi Kanmani Adaikkalam
Nee Sirithaal Deepavali
Vaigasi Poranthachu Chinnarasu
Urudhi Mozhi Jagan
Raja Kaiya Vacha Raghu
Pudhiya Sarithiram
1991 Naan Pudicha Mappillai Pichayandi
Vetri Padigal Govind
Gopura Vasalile Bank clerk Pethaperumal
Thanga Thamaraigal
Nattai Thirudathey
Aatha Un Koyilile Kaliappan
Kaaval Nilayam Murali
Archana IAS Perumalswamy
Pondatti Pondattithan Kathiresan
Veetla Ezhi Velila Puli
Idhayam Doctor
Manasaara Vaazhthungalean
Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Ramasamy
Nattukku Oru Nallavan Subhash's father
Vaasalile Oru Vennila
Guna Gunaa's uncle
Thoodhu Poo Chellakiliye
Kurumbukkaran
1992 Rendu Pondatti Kaavalkaaran Muthusamy
Naangal Sundaram
Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen Nadaswara Vidwan
Nadodi Thendral
Unakkaga Piranthen Radha's grandfather
Annamalai Panchachalam
Kalikaalam
Endrum Anbudan Venkatachalam
Pattathu Raani Viswanathan
Roja Chajoo Maharaj
Brahmachari Ganesan's uncle
Pandiyan Vinayaga
Solaiyamma Balraj's father
Meera Comic Inspector
1993 Thangakkili
Prathap Rajappa
Vedan McDowell
Pass Mark
Nallathe Nadakkum Rami
Parvathi Ennai Paradi Venkatraman
Pathini Penn Narayanan
Kizhakke Varum Paattu
Idhaya NayaganJana
1994 Veetla Visheshanga Doctor Sree
Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru Politician
Purushanai Kaikkulla Pottukkanum
Captain Lakshmi Narayanan
Pondattiye Deivam Sundaram
Uzhiyan Manickam
Veera Rupa's father
Oru Vasantha Geetham
Sevvanthi
Thaatboot Thanjavur
May Madham Captain
Karuththamma Kaliamma's husband
Manju Virattu Gnanam
1995 Engirundho Vandhan Manikandan
Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari Accountant Ekambaraeshwarar
Baashha Gurumurthy
Gangai Karai Paattu Puncture shop owner
Paattu Padava Rangarajan
Thottil Kuzhandhai Muthu
Puthiya Aatchi Rajarathnam
Indira Kanakku Pillai
Thirumoorthy Uma's father
Nandhavana Theru Albert
Thedi Vandha Raasa Vishwanath
Rajavin Parvaiyile Pannaiyar
En Pondatti Nallava
1996 Gopala Gopala Kuzhanthaivel
1997 Vaimaye Vellum Michael
Arunachalam Kathavarayan
Devathai Keerthi's fatheralso singer for song "Kokkarakko Kozhi"
Paththini
Vidukathai
Vasuki Kabali
1998 Ulavuthurai Duraisamy
Udhavikku Varalaamaa Annamalai
Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara
Harichandra Doctor
Kumbakonam Gopalu
1999 Ullathai Killathe
Annan Thangachi Kodeeswaran
Suyamvaram Mithrabuthan
Jodi Nachimuthu
2000 Seenu Mani
Puratchikkaaran
2001 Piriyadha Varam Vendum Kannatha's neighbour
2002 Dhaya Selvaraj
Raajjiyam Governor's PA
King Shanmugam's father
Solla Marandha Kadhai Mudhaliar
I Love You Da Sadasivam
2004 Jai
Aayutha Ezhuthu Doctor
New Doctor
M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi Police officer
2005 Aayudham Naga's uncle
2006 Kalinga
47A Besant Nagar Varai
2007 Mudhal Kanave Jennifer's grandfather
Thavam Mani
2008 Pattaya Kelappu Arunachalam
2018 '96 Watchman/Kaaval Theivam
2019 Dha Dha 87 Nayudu
2021Obama Ungalukkaga
2024ThathaThathashort film released on Shortflix [4]

Other language films

YearFilmRoleLanguageRef.
1980 Red Rose Servant Hindi
1990 No.20 Madras Mail Murukesan Malayalam
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari Police Inspector Telugu
1993Sneha SagaramPazhaniappan Gounder Malayalam
DhadiPolice Inspector Telugu
1997 Rishyasringan Malayalam
1998 Dil Se.. Taxi Driver Hindi
2000 Hats Off India Kannada [5]

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References

  1. "'I'm In A Reckless Mood, I Want To Showcase Something Different': A Conversation With Actor Janagaraj". 3 October 2018.
  2. "Janagaraj back to Tamil cinema with Vijay Sethupathi's '96'". Sify . Archived from the original on 8 August 2017.
  3. Vasudevan, K. V. (24 December 2016). "Back with a bang". The Hindu via www.thehindu.com.
  4. "Shortflix's". 2 May 2024.
  5. "Hats Off India Kannada Movie Back To Back Comedy Scenes | BC Patil, Sadhu Shetty, Ganesh, Ashitha". YouTube . 8 August 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.