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

Janagaraj is an Indian actor who has appeared in over 200 films predominantly in Tamil cinema as a comedian or in supporting roles. He also starred in few Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi films.[1]

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

YearFilmRoleNotes
1978Kizhake Pogum RailPanchayat Member
1979Suvarilladha Chiththirangal
Puthiya VaarpugalPeriyavar's son
1980Kallukkul Eeram
Red RoseHindi film
Ilamai Kolam
NizhalgalMoneylender
1981Enakkaga Kaathiru
Palaivana SolaiSenthil
1982Kalyana Kalam
Kaadhal Oviyam
Pakkathu Veetu Roja
1983Paayum Puli
Mann Vasanai
Ilamai Kaalangal
Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey
Dhooram Adhighamillai
1984Kuva Kuva Vaathugal
Nooravathu NaalJohn
Thambikku Entha Ooru
Pudhumai Penn
Shanthi Muhurtham
Ingeyum Oru Gangai
Unga Veetu Pillai
Iru Medhaigal
Vai Sollil Veeranadi25th Film
Ambigai Neril Vanthaal
January 1
1985Oru Kaidhiyin DiaryVelappan
Mannukketha PonnuChinna Pannai
Kanni RasiShivaraman
Oru Malarin Payanam
Anni
Anbin Mugavari
Ambigai Neril Vanthaal
Uyarndha UllamMani
Muthal Mariyathai
Marudhani
VetrikaniPaneer Selvam
Sri RaghavendraSt. Sudeendrar's disciple
Puthiya Theerpu
Thiramai
PadikkadavanKabali
Sindhu BhairaviTambura Musician
Aan PaavamKanagaraj
1986VikramDubash Translator
Selvakku
Marakka Matten
Anandha Kanneer
Isai Paadum Thendral
Kadalora Kavithaigal50th Film
Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum
Kaalamellam Unn Madiyil
Palaivana RojakkalMajunu
Oru Iniya UdhayamThavudu
1987Kadhal ParisuMalini's uncle
Raja Mariyadhai
Kudumbam Oru Koyil
Valayal Satham
Vilangu
Makkal En Pakkam
Ini Oru Sudhanthiram
Vairagyam
JallikattuJanagaraj
Kaadhal Viduthalai
Theertha Karaiyinile
NayakanSelvam
Pookkal Vidum Thudhu
Neram Nalla Irukku
Vedham PudhithuVaidehi's Suitor
1988Annanagar Mudhal Theru
Paimara Kappal
Poovukkul Boogambam
Urimai Geetham
Ullathil Nalla Ullam
En Bommukutty AmmavukkuLawyer75th Film
Agni NatchathiramLakshmipathi
Therkathi KallanPandian
Ganam Courtar Avargale
Manasukkul MathappuVasu
Jeeva
Soora Samhaaram
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
NallavanMadhu
Sathya
Kodi Parakuthu
Kaliyugam
Paravaigal Palavitham
Puthiya VaanamPattabi
Nethiyadi
1989Oru Thottil Sabatham
Nalaya Manithan
En Purushanthaan Enakku MattumthaanLawyer
Thaai Naadu
Vaai Kozhuppu
Varusham PadhinaaruRajamani
Moodu Manthiram
Rajadhi Raja
Paattukku Oru ThalaivanVicky
En Rathathin Rathame
Apoorva SagodharargalPolice Inspector100th Film
Siva
Kakka Kadi
Oru Thottil Sabadham
Varusham 16
Manidhan Marivittan
Manandhal Mahadevan
Vetri VizhaCameo appearance
Pudhu Pudhu ArthangalJolly
Thiruppu MunaiPichandi
Ponnu Parkka Poren
1990Idhaya ThamaraiAbsence of mind man
Panakkaran
Pachai Kodi
No.20 Madras MailMurukesanMalayalam film
Arangetra Velai
SeethaBoopathy's father
Urudhi Mozhi
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka SundariPolice InspectorTelugu film
Nila Pennae
Kizhakku Vasal
Aarathi Edungadi
Vellaiya Thevan
Sathan Sollai Thattathe
Vaigasi Poranthachu
Kizhakku Vasal
Anjali
Keladi Kanmani
Nee Sirithal Deepavali125th Film
Vaigasi Poranthachu
Raja Kaiya VachaRaghu
Pudhiya Sarithiram
1991Naan Pudicha MappillaiPichayandi
Vetri PadigalGovind
Gopura VasalileBank clerk Pethaperumal
Thanga Thamaraigal
Nattai Thirudathey
Aatha Un KoyilileKaliappan
Kaaval NilayamMurali
Archana IASPerumalswamy
Pondatti PondattithanKathiresan
Veetla Ezhi Velila Puli
IdhayamDoctor
Manasaara Vaazhthungalean
Nee Pathi Naan PathiRamasamy
Nattukku Oru NallavanSubhash's father
Vaasalile Oru Vennila
GunaGunaa's uncle
Thoodhu Poo Chellakiliye
Kurumbukkaran
1992Rendu Pondatti KaavalkaaranMuthusamy
NaangalSundaram
Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen
Nadodi Thendral
Unakkaga Piranthen150th Film
AnnamalaiPanchachalam
Kalikaalam
Endrum AnbudanVenkatachalam
Pattathu RaaniViswanathan
RojaChajoo Maharaj
BrahmachariGanesan's uncle
Pandiyan
SolaiyammaBalraj's father
MeeraComic Inspector
1993Thangakkili
Prathap
VedanMcDowell
Pass Mark
Sneha SagaramPazhaniappan GounderMalayalam film
Nallathe NadakkumRami
Parvathi Ennai ParadiVenkatraman
DhadiPolice InspectorTelugu film
Pathini Penn
Kizhakke Varum Paattu
Idhaya NayaganJana
1994Veetla VisheshangaDoctor Sree
Veettai Paaru Naattai PaaruPolitician
Purushanai Kaikkulla Pottukkanum175th Film
CaptainLakshmi Narayanan
Pondattiye DeivamSundaram
UzhiyanManickam
VeeraRupa's father
Oru Vasantha Geetham
Sevvanthi
Thaatboot Thanjavur
May Madham
KaruththammaKaliamma's husband
Manju VirattuGnanam
1995Engirundho VandhanManikandan
Oru Oorla Oru RajakumariAccountant Ekambaraeshwarar
BaashhaGurumurthy
Gangai Karai Paattu
Paattu PadavaRangarajan
Thottil KuzhandhaiMuthu
Puthiya AatchiRajarathnam
Indira
ThirumoorthyUma's father
Nandhavana TheruAlbert
Thedi Vandha Raasa
Rajavin ParvaiyilePannaiyar
En Pondatti Nallava
1996Gopala GopalaKuzhanthaivel
1997RishyasringanMalayalam film
Vaimaye VellumMichael
ArunachalamKathavarayan
DevathaiKeerthi's fatheralso singer for song "Kokkarakko Kozhi"
Paththini
Vidukathai
VasukiKabali
1998UlavuthuraiDuraisamy
Udhavikku VaralaamaaAnnamalai
Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara200th Film
HarichandraDoctor
Dil Se..Taxi DriverHindi film
Kumbakonam Gopalu
1999Ullathai Killathe
Annan ThangachiKodeeswaran
SuyamvaramMithrabuthan
JodiNachimuthu
2000SeenuMani
Hats off IndiaKannada film[4]
Puratchikkaaran
2001Piriyadha Varam VendumKannatha's neighbour
2002DhayaSelvaraj
Raajjiyam
KingShanmugam's father
Solla Marandha KadhaiMudhaliar
I Love You DaSadasivam
2004Jai
Aayutha EzhuthuDoctor
NewDoctor
M. Kumaran S/O MahalakshmiPolice officer
2005AayudhamNaga's uncle
2006Kalinga225th Film
47A Besant Nagar Varai
2007Mudhal KanaveJennifer's grandfather
ThavamMani
2008Pattaya KelappuArunachalam
2018'96Watchman/Kaaval Theivam
2019Dha Dha 87Nayudu
2021Obama Ungalukkaga

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. "Hats Off India Kannada Movie Back To Back Comedy Scenes | BC Patil, Sadhu Shetty, Ganesh, Ashitha". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
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