Janagaraj

2021-10-17T13:02:07Z

2A01:CB00:19:5C00:A4F6:C46F:1992:6CAD:

{{short description|Indian actor (born 1955)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Janagaraj
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1955|05|19}}
| birth_place = [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| years_active = 1978-2008<br>2018-2019
| occupation = Actor
}}
'''Janagaraj''' is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]] actor. He has acted in over 200 predominantly in [[Tamil cinema]] as a comedian or in supporting roles. He also starred in few [[Malayalam]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]] films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/janagaraj-interview-96-dha-dha-87/|title=‘I’m In A Reckless Mood, I Want To Showcase Something Different’: A Conversation With Actor Janagaraj|date=3 October 2018}}</ref>

==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 (actor)|Ramki]], [[Sivaji Ganesan]] and with major film directors like [[Mani Ratnam]], [[K. Balachander]] and [[Suresh Krishna (director)|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 (film)|Sindhu Bhairavi]]'' (1985), ''[[Palaivana Rojakkal]]'' (1986), ''[[Muthal Vasantham]]'' (1986), ''[[Agni Natchathiram]]'' (1988), ''[[Rajadhi Raja (1989 film)|Rajadhi Raja]]'' (1989) and ''[[Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989 film)|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 (film)|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 film)|King]]'' (2002), ''[[Aayutha Ezhuthu]]'' (2004) and ''[[M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi]]'' (2004) as supporting roles. He acted a negative role in ''[[Aayudham (2005 film)|Aayudham]]'' (2005). After a hiatus, Janagaraj made his acting comeback with ''[[96 (film)|96]]'' (2018) and ''[[Dha Dha 87]]'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/janagaraj-back-to-tamil-cinema-with-vijay-sethupathi’s-’96’-news-tamil-rihkQBfeddbfh.html|title=Janagaraj back to Tamil cinema with Vijay Sethupathi’s ’96’|website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Back-with-a-bang/article16937502.ece|title=Back with a bang|first=K. V.|last=Vasudevan|date=24 December 2016|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

==Award==
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male)]] for – ''[[King (2002 film)|King]]'' (2002)

==Filmography==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Year !! Film !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Kizhake Pogum Rail]]'' || Panchayat Member ||
|-
|rowspan="2"|1979 || ''[[Suvarilladha Chiththirangal]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Puthiya Vaarpugal]]'' || Periyavar's son ||
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1980 || ''[[Kallukkul Eeram]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Red Rose (1980 film)|Red Rose]]'' || || [[Hindi]] film
|-
| ''[[Nizhalgal]]'' || Moneylender ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|1981 || ''[[Enakkaga Kaathiru]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Palaivana Solai (1981 film)|Palaivana Solai]]'' || Senthil ||
|-
| rowspan=3"| 1982 ||''[[Kalyana Kalam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kaadhal Oviyam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Pakkathu Veetu Roja]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="5"| 1983 ||''[[Paayum Puli (1983 film)|Paayum Puli]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Mann Vasanai (film)|Mann Vasanai]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Ilamai Kaalangal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Dhooram Adhighamillai]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="11"| 1984 ||''[[Kuva Kuva Vaathugal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Nooravathu Naal]]'' || John ||
|-
| ''[[Thambikku Entha Ooru]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Pudhumai Penn (1984 film)|Pudhumai Penn]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Shanthi Muhurtham'' || ||
|-
| ''Ingeyum Oru Gangai'' || ||
|-
| ''Unga Veetu Pillai'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Iru Medhaigal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Vai Sollil Veeranadi'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Ambigai Neril Vanthaal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[January 1 (1984 film)|January 1]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="17"| 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]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Marudhani]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Vetrikani'' || Paneer Selvam ||
|-
| ''[[Sri Raghavendra]]'' || St. Sudeendrar's disciple ||
|-
| ''[[Puthiya Theerpu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Thiramai'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Padikkadavan (1985 film)|Padikkadavan]]'' ||Kabali
|
|-
| ''[[Sindhu Bhairavi (film)|Sindhu Bhairavi]]'' || Tambura Musician ||
|-
| ''[[Aan Paavam]]'' ||Kanagaraj
|
|-
| rowspan="10"| 1986 ||''[[Vikram (1986 Tamil film)|Vikram]]'' || Dubash Translator ||
|-
| ''Selvakku'' || ||
|-
| ''Marakka Matten'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Anandha Kanneer]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Isai Paadum Thendral'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kadalora Kavithaigal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Kaalamellam Unn Madiyil '' || ||
|-
| ''[[Palaivana Rojakkal]]'' || Majunu ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Iniya Udhayam]]'' || Thavudu ||
|-
| rowspan="15"|1987 || ''[[Kadhal Parisu]]'' || Malini's uncle ||
|-
| ''[[Raja Mariyadhai]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kudumbam Oru Koyil]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Valayal Satham]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vilangu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Makkal En Pakkam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Ini Oru Sudhanthiram]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Vairagyam'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Jallikattu (1987 film)|Jallikattu]]'' || Janagaraj ||
|-
| ''Kaadhal Viduthalai'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Theertha Karaiyinile]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Nayakan]]'' || Selvam ||
|-
| ''Pookkal Vidum Thoothu'' || ||
|-
| ''Neram Nalla Irukku '' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vedham Pudhithu]]'' || Vaidehi's Suitor ||
|-
| rowspan="20"|1988 || ''[[Annanagar Mudhal Theru]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Paimara Kappal'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Poovukkul Boogambam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Urimai Geetham]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Ullathil Nalla Ullam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[En Bommukutty Ammavukku]]'' || Lawyer ||
|-
| ''[[Agni Natchathiram]]'' || Lakshmipathi ||
|-
| ''[[Therkathi Kallan]]'' || Pandian ||
|-
| ''[[Ganam Courtar Avargale]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Manasukkul Mathappu]]'' || Vasu ||
|-
| ''[[Jeeva (1988 film)|Jeeva]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Soora Samhaaram]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Unnal Mudiyum Thambi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Nallavan (1988 film)|Nallavan]]'' || Madhu ||
|-
| ''[[Sathya (1988 film)|Sathya]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kodi Parakuthu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kaliyugam (1988 film)|Kaliyugam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Paravaigal Palavitham]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Puthiya Vaanam]]'' || Pattabi ||
|-
|''[[Nethiyadi]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="20"|1989 || ''Oru Thottil Sabatham'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Nalaya Manithan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan]]'' || Lawyer ||
|-
| ''[[Thaai Naadu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vaai Kozhuppu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Varusham Padhinaaru]]'' || Rajamani ||
|-
| ''Moodu Manthiram'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Rajadhi Raja (1989 film)|Rajadhi Raja]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Paattukku Oru Thalaivan]]'' || Vicky ||
|-
| ''[[En Rathathin Rathame]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989 film)|Apoorva Sagodharargal]]'' || Police Inspector ||
|-
| ''[[Siva (1989 Tamil film)|Siva]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Kakka Kadi'' || ||
|-
| ''Oru Thottil Sabadham'' || ||
|-
| ''Manidhan Marivittan'' || ||
|-
| ''Manandhal Mahadevan'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vetri Vizha]]'' || Cameo appearance ||
|-
| ''[[Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal]]'' || Jolly ||
|-
| ''[[Thiruppu Munai]]'' || Pichandi ||
|-
| ''Ponnu Parkka Poren'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="21"|1990 || ''[[Idhaya Thamarai]]'' || Absence of mind man ||
|-
| ''[[Panakkaran]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Pachai Kodi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[No.20 Madras Mail]]'' || Murukesan || [[Malayalam]] film
|-
| ''[[Arangetra Velai]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Seetha (1990 film)|Seetha]]'' || Boopathy's father ||
|-
| ''[[Urudhi Mozhi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari]]'' || Police Inspector || [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film
|-
| ''[[Nila Pennae]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kizhakku Vasal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Aarathi Edungadi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vellaiya Thevan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Sathan Sollai Thattathe]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vaigasi Poranthachu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kizhakku Vasal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Anjali (1990 film)|Anjali]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Keladi Kanmani]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Nee Sirithal Deepavali'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vaigasi Poranthachu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Raja Kaiya Vacha]]'' || Raghu ||
|-
| ''Pudhiya Sarithiram'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="18"|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 (film)|Idhayam]]'' || Doctor ||
|-
| ''Manasaara Vaazhthungalean'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Nee Pathi Naan Pathi]]'' || Ramasamy ||
|-
| ''[[Nattukku Oru Nallavan]]'' || Subhash's father ||
|-
| ''Vaasalile Oru Vennila'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Guna (film)|Guna]]'' || Gunaa's uncle ||
|-
| ''Thoodhu Poo Chellakiliye'' || ||
|-
| ''Kurumbukkaran'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="14"|1992 || ''[[Rendu Pondatti Kaavalkaaran]]'' || Muthusamy ||
|-
| ''[[Naangal]]'' || Sundaram ||
|-
| ''[[Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Nadodi Thendral]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Unakkaga Piranthen]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Annamalai (film)|Annamalai]]'' || Panchachalam ||
|-
| ''[[Kalikaalam (1992 film)|Kalikaalam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Endrum Anbudan]]'' || Venkatachalam ||
|-
| ''[[Pattathu Raani]]'' || Viswanathan ||
|-
| ''[[Roja (film)|Roja]]'' || Chajoo Maharaj ||
|-
| ''[[Brahmachari (1992 film)|Brahmachari]]'' || Ganesan's uncle ||
|-
| ''[[Pandiyan (film)|Pandiyan]]''|| ||
|-
| ''[[Solaiyamma]]'' || Balraj's father ||
|-
| ''[[Meera (1992 film)|Meera]]'' || Comic Inspector ||
|-
| rowspan="11"|1993 || ''[[Thangakkili]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Prathap (1993 film)|Prathap]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vedan]]'' ||McDowell||
|-
| ''[[Pass Mark]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Sneha Sagaram'' || Pazhaniappan Gounder || [[Malayalam]] film
|-
| ''[[Nallathe Nadakkum]]'' || Rami ||
|-
| ''[[Parvathi Ennai Paradi]]'' || Venkatraman ||
|-
| ''Dhadi'' || Police Inspector || [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film
|-
| ''[[Pathini Penn]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kizhakke Varum Paattu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Idhaya Nayagan]]'' || Jana ||
|-
| rowspan="13"|1994 || ''[[Veetla Visheshanga]]'' || Doctor Sree ||
|-
| ''[[Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru]]'' || Politician ||
|-
| ''[[Purushanai Kaikkulla Pottukkanum]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Captain (1994 film)|Captain]]''|| Lakshmi Narayanan ||
|-
| ''[[Pondattiye Deivam]]'' || Sundaram ||
|-
| ''[[Uzhiyan]]'' || Manickam ||
|-
| ''[[Veera (1994 film)|Veera]]'' || Rupa's father ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Vasantha Geetham]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Sevvanthi'' || ||
|-
| ''Thaatboot Thanjavur'' || ||
|-
| ''[[May Madham]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Karuththamma]]'' || Kaliamma's husband ||
|-
| ''[[Manju Virattu (film)|Manju Virattu]]'' || Gnanam ||
|-
| rowspan="13"|1995 || ''[[Engirundho Vandhan]]'' || Manikandan ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari]]'' || Accountant Ekambaraeshwarar ||
|-
| ''[[Baashha]]'' || Gurumurthy ||
|-
| ''[[Gangai Karai Paattu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Paattu Padava]]'' || Rangarajan ||
|-
| ''[[Thottil Kuzhandhai]]'' || Muthu ||
|-
| ''[[Puthiya Aatchi]]'' || Rajarathnam ||
|-
| ''[[Indira (film)|Indira]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Thirumoorthy]]'' || Uma's father ||
|-
| ''[[Nandhavana Theru]]'' || Albert ||
|-
| ''[[Thedi Vandha Raasa]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Rajavin Parvaiyile]]'' || Pannaiyar ||
|-
| ''[[En Pondatti Nallava]]'' || ||
|-
|1996 || ''[[Gopala Gopala (1996 film)|Gopala Gopala]]'' || Kuzhanthaivel ||
|-
| rowspan="7"|1997 || ''[[Rishyasringan]]'' || || [[Malayalam]] film
|-
| ''[[Vaimaye Vellum]]'' || Michael ||
|-
| ''[[Arunachalam (film)|Arunachalam]]'' || Kathavarayan ||
|-
| ''[[Devathai]]'' || Keerthi's father ||
|-
| ''[[Paththini (1997 film)|Paththini]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vidukathai (film)|Vidukathai]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vasuki (film)|Vasuki]]'' || Kabali ||
|-
| rowspan="6"|1998 || ''[[Ulavuthurai]]'' || Duraisamy ||
|-
| ''[[Udhavikku Varalaamaa]]'' || Annamalai ||
|-
| ''[[Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Harichandra (1998 film)|Harichandra]]'' || Doctor ||
|-
| ''[[Dil Se..]]'' || Taxi Driver || [[Hindi]] film
|-
| ''[[Kumbakonam Gopalu]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="4"|1999 || ''[[Ullathai Killathe]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Annan Thangachi]]'' || Kodeeswaran ||
|-
| ''[[Suyamvaram]]'' || Mithrabuthan ||
|-
| ''[[Jodi (1999 film)|Jodi]]'' || Nachimuthu ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2000 || ''[[Seenu (2000 film)|Seenu]]'' || Mani ||
|-
| ''[[Puratchikkaaran]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="1"|2001 || ''[[Piriyadha Varam Vendum]]'' || Kannatha's neighbour ||
|-
| rowspan="5"|2002 || ''[[Dhaya (film)|Dhaya]]'' || Selvaraj ||
|-
| ''[[Raajjiyam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[King (2002 film)|King]]'' || Shanmugam's father ||
|-
| ''[[Solla Marandha Kadhai]]'' || Mudhaliar ||
|-
| ''[[I Love You Da]]'' || Sadasivam ||
|-
| rowspan="4"|2004 || ''[[Jai (2004 Tamil film)|Jai]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Aayutha Ezhuthu]]'' || Doctor ||
|-
| ''[[New (film)|New]]'' || Doctor ||
|-
| ''[[M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi]]'' || Police officer ||
|-
|2005 || ''[[Aayudham (2005 film)|Aayudham]]'' || Naga's uncle ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2006 || ''[[Kalinga (film)|Kalinga]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[47A Besant Nagar Varai]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2007 || ''[[Mudhal Kanave]]'' || Jennifer's grandfather ||
|-
| ''[[Thavam]]'' || Mani ||
|-
|2008 || ''[[Pattaya Kelappu]]'' || Arunachalam ||
|-
|2018 || ''[['96 (film)|'96]]'' || Watchman/Kaaval Theivam ||
|-
|2019 || ''[[Dha Dha 87]]'' || Nayudu ||
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0417301|name=janagaraj}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Janagaraj}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Tamil male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Tamil comedians]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:1955 births]]

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Janagaraj