BrandonGreenlee: minor edit

2026-03-24T18:48:13Z

minor edit

2409:4072:6091:3ED2:0:0:257C:B8A0 at 18:39, 8 January 2022

2022-01-08T18:39:35Z

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{{short description|Indian actor and director (born 1956)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Thambi Ramaiah
| image = Thambi Ramaiah Exclusive Photos for Silverscreen.jpg
| birth_name = Thambi Ramaiah Jagannathapillai
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1956|06|19}}
| birth_place = [[Pudukottai District|Pudukottai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/27/stories/2010122752190200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306105141/http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/27/stories/2010122752190200.htm |archive-date=6 March 2014|title=Tickling the funny bone |date=27 December 2010 |url-status=dead |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=13 January 2019}}</ref>
| nationality =
| height =
| spouse = Shanthy Ramaiah
| parents = {{unbulleted list|Jagannathapillai|Pappammal}}
| children = {{unbulleted list|[[Umapathy Ramaiah|Umapathy]]|Viveka}}
| occupation = Actor, comedian, director, lyricist
| yearsactive = 1998–present
}}

'''Thambi Ramaiah''' is an Indian actor, director and comedian who works in the [[Tamil film industry]]. He has also worked occasionally as a lyricist.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article41564.ece |title=He says that he does not read books, but read people |work=The Hindu|date=31 October 2009 |access-date=18 June 2013}}</ref> He directed three films, ''[[Manu Needhi]]'' (2000), ''[[Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan]]'' (2008) and ''[[Maniyaar Kudumbam]]'' (2018).

==Career==
Thambi Ramaiah was born in Rarapuram village in [[Pudukkottai]], and initially entered the film industry hoping to become a screenwriter. His father was a poet and a fiction writer and his mother was a housewife, while Ramaiah was their eldest child. He earned pocket money during his school days by writing love letters for his classmates.<ref name="ss1">{{cite web|author=Neelima Menon |url=http://silverscreen.in/features/interviews/life-of-the-party-the-thambi-ramaiah-interview/ |title=Life of the Party: The Thambi Ramaiah Interview |publisher=Silverscreen.in |date=2014-11-18 |access-date=2016-12-01}}</ref> He also had an interest in lyric writing, often writing lyrics for parody versions of popular songs, while becoming trained in various instruments including the harmonium and guitar. At the age of 20, he moved to [[Chennai]] and tried to make a breakthrough into the film industry, but was hindered by his lack of contacts and instead worked for a private company for nine years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/thambi-ramiah-14-03-12.html |title=Thambi Ramaiah - Tamil Cinema Actor Interview - Thambi Ramaiah | Kumki | Saattai | Kazhugu - Behindwoods.com |publisher=Videos.behindwoods.com |access-date=2016-12-01}}</ref> He got a break in 1994 and took up a job as a dialogue writer for a serial on Sun TV, doubling up as an assistant director, script writer and lyricist. He then earned opportunities to work as an assistant director in films directed by [[T. Rajender]] and [[P. Vasu]], and he considers the latter his teacher of screenplay-writing.<ref name="ss1"/> He made a cameo acting appearance in Vasu's film ''[[Malabar Police]]'' (1999) in a scene featuring [[Goundamani]]. The following year, he made his directorial début with ''[[Manu Needhi]]'' (2000), which starred [[Murali (Tamil actor)|Murali]] and [[Napolean (actor)|Napolean]] in the lead roles. He carried on playing supporting roles in films as well as writing comedy tracks, also directing the [[Vadivelu]]-starrer ''[[Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan]]'' (2008).

He made a breakthrough as an actor portraying a friendly cop in [[Prabhu Solomon]]'s romantic film ''[[Mynaa]]'' (2010) and won the [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for his performance. He subsequently won positive reviews for his performances in films including ''[[Saattai]]'', ''[[Kumki (film)|Kumki]]'' (2012) and ''[[Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam]]'' (2014). At the peak of his career in 2013–2014, he worked for up to four films a day, while being on locations for close to 25 days a month. He also served as his own manager and often was in charge of his own make-up and costumes in films.<ref name="ss1"/>

In 2014, he announced plans to introduce his son, [[Umapathy Ramaiah]], as an actor. His son later made his debut in ''[[Adhagappattathu Magajanangalay]]'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150806/entertainment-kollywood/article/thambi-ramaiah%E2%80%99s-advice-his-son|title=Thambi Ramaiah's advice to his son|first=Anupama|last=Subramanian|date=6 August 2015|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===As actor===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Malabar Police]]'' || Perumal ||
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Manu Needhi]]'' || Broker Dharmalingam || Also director
|-
| rowspan="2"|2004 || ''[[Arul]]'' || Sethupathy's assistant ||
|-
|''[[Jore]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2005 || ''[[Kodambakkam (film)|Kodambakkam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Bambara Kannaley]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Vetrivel Sakthivel]]'' || Selvi's father-in-law ||
|-
| ''[[Aaru (film)|Aaru]]'' || Subbu ||
|-
| rowspan="7"| 2006 ||''[[Kovai Brothers]]'' || Astrologer ||
|-
|''[[Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Nee Venunda Chellam]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Sillunu Oru Kadhal]]'' || Vellaichaamy's assistant ||
|-
|''[[Thalaimagan]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Vathiyar]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Thagapansamy]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2007 ||''[[Maa Madurai]]'' || Osamma's husband ||
|-
|''[[Thottal Poo Malarum]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Oram Po]]'' || Rani's father ||
|-
|''[[Piragu]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2008 || ''[[Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan]]'' || Chithraguptan || Also director
|-
|''[[Theekuchi]]'' || Kurangu Ramasamy ||
|-
|''[[Arjunan Kadhali]]'' || || Unreleased
|-
|''[[Kee Mu]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2009 || ''[[Guru En Aalu]]'' || Lawyer ||
|-
|''[[Malai Malai]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Odipolama]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2010 || ''[[Magane En Marumagane]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kaadhal Solla Vandhen]]'' || Principal ||
|-
|''[[Mynaa]]'' || Ramaiah || '''Winner''', [[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor]] '''Winner''', [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] '''Winner''', [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian]] Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Tamil]]
|-
|''[[Mandhira Punnagai (2010 film)|Mandhira Punnagai]]'' || Manmadhan Naidu ||
|-
| rowspan="5"| 2011 || ''[[Nanjupuram]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Aayiram Vilakku]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Vaagai Sooda Vaa]]'' || Twonaalettu (2×4=8) ||
|-
|''[[Osthe]]'' || Maasaana Moorthy ||
|-
|''[[Rajapattai]]'' || Shanmugham ||
|-
| rowspan="10"| 2012 ||''[[Vettai]]'' || Constable ||
|-
|''[[Ambuli]]'' || Vethagiri ||
|-
|''[[Kazhugu (2012 film)|Kazhugu]]'' || Shanmugam (Chittappa) ||
|-
|''Pechiyakka Marumagan'' || ||
|-
|''[[Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam]]'' || Muthiah ||
|-
|''Mannaru'' || || Also writer
|-
|''[[Saattai]]'' || Singaperumal || '''Winner''', [[Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards|Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Villain]] Nominated, [[2nd South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]] Nominated, [[Vijay Award for Best Villain]]
|-
|''[[Thaandavam]]'' || Thappachae Mama ||
|-
|''[[Neerparavai]]'' || Joseph Bharathi ||
|-
|''[[Kumki (film)|Kumki]]'' || Kothali || '''Winner''', [[2nd South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA Award for Best Comedian]] '''Winner''', [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Tamil]]
|-
| rowspan="7"|2013 || ''[[Lokpal (film)|Lokpal]]'' || SI Ramdas || [[Malayalam]] film
|-
| ''[[Mathil Mel Poonai]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal]]'' || Thiruvengadam ||
|-
| ''Keeripulla'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Neram]]'' || Saravanar ||
|-
| ''[[Summa Nachunu Irukku]]'' || Chinniah ||
|-
| ''[[Apple Penne]]'' || Aarumugam ||
|-
| rowspan="20"|2014 || ''[[Jilla]]'' || Shivan's aide ||
|-
| ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'' || Savarimuthu ||
|-
| ''[[Pulivaal]]'' || Valliappan ||
|-
| ''[[Vu (film)|Vu]]'' || Ganesh ||
|-
| ''[[Nimirndhu Nil]]'' || Head constable ||
|-
| ''[[Nedunchaalai]]'' || Master ||
|-
| ''[[Ennamo Nadakkudhu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Un Samayal Arayil]]'' || Krishna ||
|-
| ''[[Athithi (2014 film)|Athithi]]'' || Ondipuli ||
|-
| ''[[Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam]]'' || Seenu ||'''Winner''', [[Vijay Award for Best Comedian]] '''Winner''', [[Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards|Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Comedian]] Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Tamil]]
|-
| ''[[Amara Kaaviyam]]'' || Gnanam ||
|-
| ''[[Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani]]'' || Silambu Chinnadurai ||
|-
| ''[[Vanavarayan Vallavarayan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Rettai Vaalu]]'' || Ramasamy Padayatchi ||
|-
| ''[[Yaan (film)|Yaan]]'' ||Chinna ||
|-
| ''[[Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe]]'' || Rajagopalan ||
|-
| ''[[Gnana Kirukkan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Oorla Rendu Raja]]'' || Good Samaritan ||
|-
| ''[[Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014 film)|Kaaviya Thalaivan]]'' || Koduvaai ||
|-
| ''[[Kaadu (2014 film)|Kaadu]]'' || Chettiar ||
|-
| rowspan="17"|2015 || ''[[Isai]]'' || Church priest ||
|-
| ''[[Sandamarutham]]'' || Nirukalathan ||
|-
| ''[[Vajram (2015 film)|Vajram]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[En Vazhi Thani Vazhi (2015 film)|En Vazhi Thani Vazhi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Serndhu Polama]]'' || Kumaran||
|-
| ''[[Komban]]'' ||Rajakili ||
|-
| ''[[Kangaroo (2015 film)|Kangaroo]]'' || Thakapan Swami Nadar||
|-
| ''[[Inimey Ippadithan]]'' || Ulaganathan ||
|-
| ''[[Thani Oruvan]]'' || Sengalvarayan || [[2nd South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA Award for Best Comedian]]
|-
|''[[Adhibar]]''|| ||
|-
| ''[[Strawberry (film)|Strawberry]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Yatchan]]'' || Sotta Mani ||
|-
| ''[[Maanga (film)|Maanga]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Puli (2015 film)|Puli]]''||Kodangi ||
|-
| ''[[Sivappu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Thiraipada Nagaram'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vedalam]]'' || Thamizh's father ||
|-
| rowspan="9"|2016 || ''[[Azhagu Kutti Chellam]]'' || Orphanage owner ||
|-
| ''[[Peigal Jaakkirathai]]'' || Pazhaivel Annachi ||
|-
| ''[[Saagasam]]'' || ACP Seetharaman ||
|-
| ''[[Vetrivel]]'' || Othasai ||
|-
| ''[[Appa (2016 film)|Appa]]'' || Singaperumal || Main Antagonist
|-
| ''[[Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum]]'' || Manikandan ||
|-
| ''[[Iru Mugan]]'' || Muthaiah ||
|-
| ''[[Thodari]]'' || Chandrakanth ||
|-
| ''[[Virumandikum Sivanandikum]]'' || Ganduchamy ||
|-
|rowspan="14"|2017||''[[Bairavaa]]''|| Narayanan ||
|-
| ''[[Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Enakku Vaaitha Adimaigal]]'' || Muthu Vinayagam ||
|-
| ''[[Kuttram 23]]'' || Thirupathi ||
|-
| ''[[Mupparimanam]]'' || Santhosh ||
|-
| ''[[Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva]]'' || Home Minister ||
|-
| ''[[Dora (2017 film)|Dora]]'' || Vairam ||
|-
| ''[[Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae]]'' || Jambulingam ||
|-
| ''[[Thondan (2017 film)|Thondan]]'' || Income tax officer ||
|-
| ''[[Vanamagan]]'' || Pandian ||
|-
| ''[[Vizhithiru]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[12-12-1950]]'' || Vanangamudi ||
|-
| ''Palli Paruvathile'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Velaikkaran (2017 film)|Velaikkaran]]'' || Stella Bruce ||
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2018 || ''[[Thaanaa Serndha Koottam]]''|| Iniyan's father ||
|-
|''[[Maniyaar Kudumbam]]'' || Narthanga Saamy || also director and composer
|-
|''[[Billa Pandi]]'' || ||
|-
|rowspan="9"| 2019 || ''[[Viswasam]]'' || Rosamani ||
|-
|''[[Thirumanam (2019 film)|Thirumanam]]'' || Kumaraguru ||
|-
| ''[[Vilambaram (2019 film)|Vilambaram]]'' || Gem Ad Agency owner ||
|-
|''[[Pottu (film)|Pottu]]'' || Arjun's father ||
|-
| ''[[Aghavan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Mr. Local]]'' || Lakshman ||
|-
| ''Thiruttu Kalyanam'' || ||
|-
| ''[[100% Kadhal]]'' || Ramasamy ||
|-
| ''[[Adutha Saattai]]'' || Singaperumal ||
|-
| rowspan="9"| 2021 || ''[[Bhoomi (2021 film)|Bhoomi]]'' || Velusaamy ||
|-
| ''[[Michaelpatty Raja]]'' || Magician ||
|-
| ''[[Devadas Brothers]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Thalaivii]]'' || Madhavan || Bilingual film (Tamil and Hindi)
|-
| ''[[Rudra Thandavam (2021 film)|Rudra Thandavam]]'' || Police Constable Joseph Murray ||
|-
| ''[[Vinodhaya Sitham]]'' || Parasuram || Zee5 release
|-
| ''[[Enemy (2021 film)|Enemy]]'' || 'Risk' Ramalingam ||
|-
| ''[[Raajavamsam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Velan (film)|Velan]]'' || Ananda Kuttan ||
|}

===As director===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Film !! Cast !!class=unsortable| Notes
|-
| 2000 || ''[[Manu Needhi]]'' || [[Murali (Tamil actor)|Murali]], [[Prathyusha]] ||
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan]]'' || [[Vadivelu]], Yamini Sharma ||
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Maniyaar Kudumbam]]'' || [[Umapathy Ramaiah|Umapathy]], [[Mrudula Murali]] ||
|}

===As singer===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year !! Film !! Song !! Composer !! Lyrics !! Notes
|-
|2013 ||''Vu'' ||"Oru Padi Mela" ||Abhijith Ramasamy || Murugan Manthiram ||
|-
|2010 ||''Oru Koodai Mutham'' ||"Nongala Enakku" ||Shanthan || Thambi Ramaiah ||<ref name = okm>https://gaana.com/album/oru-koodai-mutham-tamil</ref>
|-
|2010 ||''Oru Koodai Mutham'' ||"Pappa Poranthathu" ||Shanthan || Thambi Ramaiah ||<ref name = okm/>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=4446366}}

{{National Film Award Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramaiah, Thambi}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Tamil male actors]]
[[Category:Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:Tamil comedians]]
[[Category:Male actors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1956 births]]

Thambi Ramaiah - Revision history

BrandonGreenlee: minor edit

2409:4072:6091:3ED2:0:0:257C:B8A0 at 18:39, 8 January 2022