A. Karunanidhi ( Tamil : கருணாநிதி) was an Indian actor and comedian who featured mainly in Tamil-language films.[1] He was active in the field from 1948 till 1978. Though he was a comedian, the roles he played in some of the films were so imperative to the story. A case in point is his role in the award-winning film Veerapandiya Kattabomman. He featured as "Sundaralingam", a servant in Kattabomman's court. The role was developed into a spy and he played it brilliantly. In some of the films, he will not talk much, but his body language itself will make the audience laugh, as in Missiamma. He has also appeared in women's attire in some films. The turning and twisting of his body was well appreciated even by women. In Adhey Kangal (1967 film), he did the role of a Malayalee cook and spoke Malayalee Tamil, making the audience laugh to their hilt. Apart from acting, at times he gave ideas for comedy scenes in films.[2]

A. Karunanidhi
Karunanidhi in Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959)
Born1923 (1923)
Thiruvarur, British India
Died1981 (aged 57–58)
Chennai
NationalityIndian
OccupationActor
SpouseA. Swarajayam
Children3 daughters and one son
Parentfather - Mr. Harikrishna

T. P. Muthulakshmi was his co-star in many films.[3]

While he was acting in films, he ran a non-vegetarian hotel called Maamiya Hotel at Thiyagaraya Nagar in Chennai.

He died in 1981, affected by diabetes.

Partial filmography

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Year Film Role
1948 Adhithan Kanavu
1950 Digambara Samiyar Manickam
Ponmudi
1950 Manthiri Kumari Bhoopalam
1951 Devaki Govindhan
1951 Sarvadhikari Vairagyam
1952 Kalyani
Valaiyapathi
1954 En Magal
Mangalyam
Padmini
1955 Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Karuppu
Gulebagavali
Guna Sundari Eldest son-in-law
Kalyanam Seydhukko
Kathanayaki
Maheswari
Missiamma Pandiya
Mullaivanam
Nalla Thangai
Pennarasi
Town Bus Mannaru (Velu's Friend)
1956 Kannin Manigal
Naan Petra Selvam Arivumathi
Paasavalai
1957 Miss Mary (Hindi) Karunanidhi
Ambikapathi Vengayam
Aaravalli Naaman
Manamagan Thevai
Mahadhevi Muthupulavan
1958 Boologa Rambai Mahodharan
Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam Drama artiste
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai Duttan (Villalan's friend)
Sarangadhara
Thedi Vandha Selvam
1959 Alli Petra Pillai
Engal Kuladevi Chanakiyan
Kan Thiranthathu Chadaiyan
Pennkulathin Ponvilakku
Veerapandiya Kattabomman Sundaralingam
1960 Aadavantha Deivam Kambodhi
Adutha Veettu Penn
Deivapiravi Nair
Ellorum Innaattu Mannar
Pudhiya Padhai
1961 Kappalottiya Thamizhan Unnarsamy
Palum Pazhamum
Panam Panthiyile
Thirudathe Makku Maamaa
1962 Indira En Selvam Compounder Kailasam
Padithal Mattum Podhuma servant of Rao Bahadur
Thendral Veesum
1963 Kalyaniyin Kanavan Police Constable
Konjum Kumari Mannaru (Alli's uncle)
Paar Magaley Paar Manickam
Thulasi Maadam
1964 Chitrangi
Muradan Muthu
1965 Thiruvilaiyadal
1966 Madras to Pondicherry Naidu (Bus Driver)
Mahakavi Kalidas
Mani Magudam Ulagappan, Vanchi's brother
Sadhu Mirandal Passenger (Cinema Makeup artiste; Special Appearance)
1967 Aalayam
Athey Kangal
Penn Endral Penn
1968 Lakshmi Kalyanam
Thillana Mohanambal Ottu player
Thirumal Perumai Nattamai
1969 Ponnu Mappillai Thazhamuthu
1970 Paadhukaappu
1971 Aathi Parasakthi
Babu Siluvai
Deivam Pesuma
1978 Thyagam
1980 Anbukku Naan Adimai Head Constable

References

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  1. ^ N. Kesavan (7 June 2016). "Into the world of Tamil film comedians". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  2. ^ Swarnavel Eswaran Pillai (27 January 2015). Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema. SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 28. ISBN 9789351502128.
  3. ^ "Director-Actor T. P. Gajendran" (in Tamil). Theekathir. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017.
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