Ponnambalam (actor)

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Ponnambalam
Born (1963-11-11) 11 November 1963 (age 60)[1]
Occupation(s)Actor, stuntman, director
Years active1987–present

Ponnambalam (born 11 November 1963) is an Indian actor and stuntman who has predominantly appeared in Tamil-language films.[2] He is best known for playing antagonistic roles in Indian films during the 1990s, notably appearing in films such as Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkalam (1999).[3] Later in his career, Ponnambalam also appeared in a few leading roles, while also taking up the mantle of director and producer.[4]

Career

Ponnambalam made his debut in cinema as a stuntman, and often appeared as an extra fighter in films, starring in minor roles in films including Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990). As a result of his proficiency as a stuntman, he later received the nickname "Spare Parts" Ponnambalam as no part of his body was ever injured or fractured.[5] He made a breakthrough as an actor following the success of P. Vasu's Walter Vetrivel (1993), and subsequently starred in several prominent Tamil films in the 1990s in villainous roles. Notable characters he portrayed including his work in Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkalam (1999). Ponnambalam also played the lead roles in film including the action drama Muthal Echarikkai (1999) and Ammaiyappa (2002), where he featured alongside actress Roshini. Reviewing the film, a critic noted "the movie does little other than prove conclusively that Ponnambalam is not cut out to be a hero", and that "though he picks a role that suits his build, emotes surprisingly well and fights aggressively, his looks make it difficult for us to accept him as a conventional leading man".[6]

Ponnambalam turned director and producer through the film, Pattaya Kelappu, starring Sriman in the lead role. Despite beginning in 2004, the film had a delayed release, while another directorial venture titled Thethi 32 was subsequently dropped.[7] Ponnambalam began a project titled Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai during 2010, starring newcomers. Despite beginning production, the film was shelved and eventually did not have a theatrical release.[8] His acting commitments thereafter also decreased, with notable appearances in the period including roles as a village chief in Thamizh Padam (2010) and characters in Venghai (2011) and the historical drama, Ponnar Shankar (2011).

In 2018, Ponnambalam took part in the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil hosted by Kamal Haasan. His stay in the house was controversial, as he was accused of making misogynistic comments against the female housemates, particularly against Yashika Aanand, Aishwarya Dutta, Mamathi Chari and Mumtaj and was nominated each week for the eviction from the second week of the show onwards.[9] He was evicted during the eighth week of the show during mid-August 2018.[10]

Personal life

Ponnambalam joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in February 2011, beginning a career in politics.[11] He campaigned for the AIADMK party in the Indian general election of 2014.[12] In June 2017, he left the AIADMK and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan. On joining the party, Ponnambalam stated that no other party seemed "concerned about the welfare of people" and hence, he decided to join the BJP.[13][14]

Filmography

Tamil films

Year Film Role Notes
1988 Kaliyugam Prisoner
1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal
Vetri Vizha
1990 Michael Madana Kama Rajan Assassin
1991 Vetri Padigal
Pudhu Manithan
Maanagara Kaaval
Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum Rogue
1992 Naangal
Thangarasu
Bharathan Gangadharan's right hand
Naalaya Seidhi
Kottai Vaasal
Senthamizh Paattu
Ellaichami Balayandi
Samundi
1993 Walter Vetrivel Kabali
Maamiyar Veedu
Pettredutha Pillai
Vedan
Airport
Kizhakke Varum Paattu Kanmani's brother
Senthoorapandi Ponnambalam
1994 Honest Raj Pandian
Indhu Veeraiyan
Thai Maaman
Periya Marudhu Senkodan
Nattamai Ponnambalam
Nila
1995 Coolie Old Union Leader
Marumagan
Gandhi Pirantha Mann
Periya Kudumbam Sundarapandi's first brother
Muthu Kaali
Chandralekha Mustafa
Ilaya Ragam
Maaman Magal Govindhan
1996 Indian
Namma Ooru Raasa Kangeya
Senathipathi
1997 Dharma Chakkaram K. Singamuthu
Mannava Kabali
Aravindhan
Arunachalam Ponnambalam
Vallal Uncle of Annam
Adimai Changili
Janakiraman
1998 Dharma Khan
Simmarasi Police inspector
Urimai Por Marthandan
Veeram Vilanja Mannu Police inspector
Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu
1999 Thulladha Manamum Thullum
Chinna Durai
Ullathai Killathe
Rajasthan
Kummi Paattu
Kanave Kalaiyadhe
Amarkalam Aasairaj
Kannupada Poguthaiya
Kanmani Unakkaga
Azhagarsamy
Mudhal Etcharikkai Ponnambalam
2000 Thirunelveli
Mugavaree
Thai Poranthachu Dharma
Sudhandhiram
Vallarasu Manikkam
Pennin Manathai Thottu
Maayi
Ilaiyavan
2001 Looty
En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri Santhamoorthy
Sri Raja Rajeshwari
Thavasi Kottai Perumal
Azhagana Naatkal
Kalakalappu
Poove Pen Poove
2002 Vivaramana Aalu Subramani / Thotta
Raajjiyam
Thamizh
Bagavathi Vibuthi Ganesan
Gummalam
Jaya
Ammaiyappa Ammaiyappan
2003 Ramachandra Kabali
Saamy Corrupt Police Officer
Thennavan
Diwan Kandhavel's second brother
Chokka Thangam
Anjaneya Veerapan
2004 Jai Karuppu
Ghilli Arivazhagan
Arul
Jana
Arasatchi
Giri
Bose Sivamani
Aai
Arumugasamy
Super Da
Gomathi Nayagam Sevanthi's father
2005 Devathaiyai Kanden
Chinna Chinna's friend
Mannin Maindhan Gajapathy
Kannadi Pookal
Sevvel
2006 Saravana
Suyetchai MLA
Kalinga
Perarasu
Varalaru Divya's brother
2007 Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen
Aarya Meesai Perumal
Malaikottai
Ennai Paar Yogam Varum
Kaanal Neer
Thiru Ranga
Veerappu Gowripet Shankar
2008 Pattaya Kelappu Anandakrishnan Also director
Vaitheeswaran
Aayudham Seivom
Ezhuthiyatharadi Pandi
Theeyavan
Arai En 305-il Kadavul
Surya
2009 Thee Saleem
Madurai Sambavam
Oru Kadhalan Oru Kadhali Lingesu
2010 Thamizh Padam Nattamai
Thairiyam
Innisai Kavalan
Bayam Ariyaan
Guru Sishyan
Androru Naal
Puzhal
Aarvam
Nagaram Marupakkam 'Thala Vetti' Thangarasu
Athisaya Manal Matha
2011 Bhavani
Ponnar Shankar Thalapathi
Venghai Anburaja
Mudhal Idam
2012 Maasi Nandha
Mattuthavani
Ullam
Arakkonam
Virudhunagar Sandhippu
2013 Keeripulla
2014 Madhavanum Malarvizhiyum
Adhu Vera Idhu Vera Police Inspector
2016 Enakku Innoru Per Irukku Cameo appearance
Parandhu Sella Vaa Ponnambalam
2017 12-12-1950 Police Inspector
2018 Pei Irukka Illaya
Thulam
2019 Comali Gaaja
Chennai 2 Bangkok
2022 Kaatteri Ponnambalam

Telugu films

Year Film Role Notes
1992 Gharana Mogudu Veeraiyah
1993 Repati Rowdy Kallaiah
Allari Priyudu
Mechanic Alludu
1994 Mugguru Monagallu
1997 Hitler Rudraraju's brother Dubbed in Tamil as Tiger
1998 Pavitra Prema M.L.A. Rayudu
2000 Balaram Harishchandra Prasad's goon
Nuvvu Vastavani
Choosoddaam Randi Tiger Dharma
2001 Eduruleni Manishi
2002 Chennakesava Reddy
2003 Palnati Brahmanayudu
2004 Guri Seed supplier
Pedababu Rudra Raju
Siva Shankar
Gudumba Shankar
Koduku
Suryam
2005 Annavaram
2006 Veerabhadra
Neeku Naaku
2007 Andaala Amitabh Bachchan
2008 Bujjigadu

Kannada films

Year Film Role
1994 Chinna
1995 Dore
1997 Lady Commissioner
2000 O Nanna Nalle
2003 Kiccha Jayaraj
Annavru Henchman
2005 Gunna
2007 Masti
Police Story 2

Malayalam films

Year Film Role
1988 Moonnam Mura Peter
Orkkapurathu
1994 Kambolam Koppara
2000 The Warrant
2006 Prajapathi Vanangamudi
2007 Payum Puli Pandian
2017 Aadu 2 Mayilvahanam

Hindi films

Year Film Role Notes
1996 Ghatak: Lethal Fighter in the Ring Special Appearance
Rakshak Daniyaal
2000 Krodh
2001 Nayak Rungaa Voiced by Manoj Pandey

Stuntman

Year Film
1987 Shankar Guru
Per Sollum Pillai
Vairakkiyam
1988 Sathya
En Thangai Kalyani
Puthiya Vaanam
Soora Samhaaram
Thaimel Aanai
Poovizhi Raja
Pattikaatu Thambi
Dhayam Onnu
Katha Nayagan
Kaliyugam
1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal
Padicha Pulla
Annanukku Jai
Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu
En Thangai
Vetri Mel Vetri
1990 Avasara Police 100
Sathriyan
Urudhi Mozhi
Raja Kaiya Vacha
My Dear Marthandan
1991 Captain Prabhakaran
Maanagara Kaaval
Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum

Television

References

  1. ^ "Tamil Movie Actor Ponnambalam - Nettv4u". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Up close with top Indian stars". New Straits Times. 15 October 1996. pp. Arts 4. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  3. ^ "டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு — Tamil Kavithai -- தமிழ் கவிதைகள் - நூற்று கணக்கில்!". Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Tamil Celebrity Interview - IndiaGlitz.com". Archived from the original on 24 October 2004. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Cinema Veeran : Aishwarya Dhanush pays a glorious tribute to the stuntmen Of Tamil cinema". Firstpost. 25 June 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Bigg Boss Tamil: All You Need To Know About This Season's Contestants!".
  7. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Ponnambalam - Tamil Movie News - Villain with a film - Ponnambalam | Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai | Chandranath - Behindwoods.com". www.behindwoods.com.
  9. ^ "Bigg Boss 2: Honour, Culture and Slander". Sify. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018.
  10. ^ Upadhyaya, Prakash (12 August 2018). "Bigg Boss Tamil elimination: Ponnambalam evicted; his ouster gets mixed response from netizens". International Business Times, India Edition.
  11. ^ "அதிமுகவில் சேர்ந்த நடிகர் பொன்னம்பலம், பாடகர் சிலோன் மனோகர்". tamil.filmibeat.com. 2 February 2011.
  12. ^ Kumar, S. Vijay (9 March 2014). "AIADMK to add star power to campaign" – via www.thehindu.com.
  13. ^ "Popular villain actor switches over to BJP from ADMK - Tamil News". IndiaGlitz.com. 14 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Tamil Nadu: Actor Ponnambalam joins BJP's star bandwagon". Deccan Chronicle. 15 June 2017.

External links