R. Sarathkumar: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

| 1namedata    = [[Jaswant Singh]],<br />[[Manmohan Singh]]

| office4      = General Secretary of the [[All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi]]

| office5       = President of the [[Nadigar Sangam|South Indian Artistes' Association]]

| term_start5   = 2006

| term_end5     = 2015

| predecessor5 = [[Vijayakanth]]

| successor5   = [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]]

| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|07|14}}<ref name="bday">{{cite web |title=Sarath kumar celebrates 54th birthday |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/39983.html |website=IndiaGlitz |date=15 July 2008 |access-date=17 June 2011}}</ref>

| birth_place  = [[New Delhi]], India

| otherparty    = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] (1996–2006) <br /> [[AIADMK]] (2006)

| relatives    = [[Nirosha]] (sister-in-law)<br />[[Ramki]] (co-brother)<br />

| nickname      = ''Supreme Star'',''Super Hero'','' Abdulkalam of Nadigar sangam''

'''Sarathkumar Ramanathan''' (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian actor, politician, filmmaker, and singer. He has acted in more than 130 [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Malayalam]] and [[Kannada]] films. He has won two [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]] and three [[Filmfare Awards South]].<ref name="The Hindu interview1">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/speaks-his-mind/article4121491.ece |title=Speaks his mind |author=T. Saravanan |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=NK |first=Jarshad |title=For south Indian movie stars, the glitter is in their title |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/entertainment/for-south-indian-movie-stars-the-glitter-is-in-their-title/slideshow/18360511.cms |date=6 February 2013 |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>

Originally a bodybuilder and later journalist, in 1986, Sarathkumar started his acting career in the Telugu film ''Samajamlo Sthree''. He first acted in negative roles, and later played supporting roles before establishing himself as a lead actor in subsequent years, earning him the titles ''Supreme Star'' and ''Super Hero'' in [[Tamil cinema]].

In 2007, he launched a new political party [[All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi]] (AISMK) in [[Tamil Nadu]], claiming to carry out the ideals of [[K. Kamaraj]]. He is the former [[Member of Legislative Assembly]] of [[Tenkasi (State Assembly Constituency)|Tenkasi constituency]]. He served as the president of the [[Nadigar Sangam]] from 2006 to 2015 for three consecutive terms.<ref name="indianexpress">{{cite news |title=Actor Sarath Kumar launches own party |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/actor-sarath-kumar-launches-own-party/213959/ |date=1 September 2007 |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sarath-kumar-s-hat-trick-news-tamil-mgbiPMafhhj.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311052606/http://www.sify.com/movies/sarath-kumar-s-hat-trick-news-tamil-mgbiPMafhhj.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2014 |title=Sarath Kumar's hat trick |date=1 June 2012 |access-date=4 January 2014 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

R. Sarathkumar was born on 14 July 1954 to Ramanathan and Pushpaleela, a Tamil family in [[New Delhi]].<ref name="bday"/> His father Ramanathan worked at the [[All India Radio]] before joining the [[Press Information Bureau]] of India, while his mother Pushpaleela was a housewife. Sarathkumar is the youngest child in his family, he had two siblings; an elder brother, the late Sudarshan Ramanathan and an elder sister Mallika Kandaswamy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/11-12-98/sarath1.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210194055/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/11-12-98/sarath1.htm |archive-date=10 February 2001 |title=Cine Biography Supreme Star Sarath Kumar (Part-1) |access-date=21 November 2016 |publisher=dinakaran.com}}</ref> His mother Pushpaleela died on 26 October 2013.<ref name="AISMK"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sarathkumar-bereaved/article5277119.ece |title=Sarathkumar bereaved |date=27 October 2013 |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

Sarathkumar started his schooling at the Raja Muthiah High School, after his family relocated from Delhi to [[Chennai]]. He then moved on to the Central School in the [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras]], and finished at [[St. Patrick's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School]]. Being an avid sports enthusiast, he played football, cricket and hockey, representing his school and college teams. He also joined the [[National Cadet Corps (India)|NCC]], becoming an Air Wing Cadet. He was one of the cadets who marched in the Republic Day Parade of 1970. After completing his pre-university levels at [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]], he was subsequently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from [[The New College, Chennai|The New College]].<ref name="AISMK">{{cite web |url=http://www.aismk.in/about-the-leader |title=About the Leader&nbsp;– AISMK |access-date=4 January 2014 |publisher=aismk.in}}</ref>

He later became a bodybuilder and earned the "Mr. Madras University" title in 1974. He then moved to [[Bangalore]] to work for the newly started Tamil newspaper [[Dinakaran]], he started as a cycle boy distributing newspapers to shops and later graduated to become a reporter for the same newspaper. After successfully establishing the circulation, he moved on to Chennai. He shifted his energies towards running his own business, a travel agency in Chennai and meeting Kannadasan who elevated him to become a producer.<ref name="AISMK"/>

He is fluent in all major [[South India#Languages|South Indian languages]] and is quite proficient in [[Russian language|Russian]].<ref name="The Hindu interview2">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/sarath-speak/article4124936.ece |title=Sarath Speak |author=T. Saravanan |date=23 November 2012 |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104213038/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/sarath-speak/article4124936.ece |archive-date=4 January 2014}}</ref>

Sarathkumar made his acting debut in 1986, in the Telugu film ''Samajamlo Sthree'' at the behest of a producer friend. Sarathkumar was originally cast to play the lead role in ''[[Chinna Poove Mella Pesu]]'' (1987) directed by [[Robert–Rajasekar]] but the producers insisted on having one familiar face and he was replaced by actor [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/cinematographer-director-robert-dead/article25637871.ece |title=Cinematographer, director Robert dead |last=Kolappan |first=B. |date=1 December 2018 |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> In 1988, while running his travel agency in Chennai, Sarathkumar got an opportunity to act as well as produce in the Tamil film ''[[Kan Simittum Neram]]''.<ref name="AISMK"/> The film was directed by Kannadasan and he co-starred with [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]] and [[Ambika (actress)|Ambika]].

In 1989, R. Sarathkumar was spotted by Raju, the personal make-up man of actor [[Vijayakanth]], who recommended him to the ''[[Pulan Visaranai]]''{{'}}s team. Finally, R. Sarathkumar acted as a villain in ''Pulan Visaranai'' and the film turned out to be a blockbuster. He won a ''Cinema Express Award for Best Villain'' for his role, which brought him more film offers.<ref name="The Hindu interview2"/> In 1990, he teamed up for the second time with Kannadasan for the film ''Mr. Karthik'', which flopped at the box office. Thereafter, he appeared in antagonist roles in Tamil films such as ''[[Pudhu Padagan]]'', ''[[Velai Kidaichuduchu]]'', ''[[Raja Kaiya Vacha]]'', ''[[Enkitta Mothathe (1990 film)|Enkitta Mothathe]]'', ''Jagathalaprathapan'' and in Telugu films such as ''Vishnu'', ''[[Magaadu (1990 film)|Magaadu]]'' and ''[[Balachandrudu]]''. He acted in few Tamil films in supporting roles such as ''[[Salem Vishnu]]'', ''[[Sirayil Sila Raagangal]]'', ''[[Mounam Sammadham]]'' and ''[[Puriyaadha Pudhir]]''. ''Puriyaadha Pudhir'' marked the first collaboration with Sarathkumar and director K. S. Ravikumar. He also acted in his first venture as a hero in ''[[Palaivana Paravaigal]]'' under [[Senthilnathan]]'s direction, who at that time gave consecutive hits. In 1991, he acted in twelve Tamil films and three Telugu films, mostly in supporting roles and four films in lead roles, but he continued to act in few films as a villain. In the start of 1991, he acted in negative roles in the Telugu film ''[[Stuartpuram Police Station]]'', starring [[Chiranjeevi]] and [[Vijayashanti]], ''Namma Ooru Mariamma'', ''[[Vetri Padigal]]'' and ''[[Pudhu Manithan]]''. He acted as a retired military officer in ''[[Chithirai Pookkal]]'' and played the second hero role in the blockbuster film ''[[Captain Prabhakaran]]''. In May 1991, he appeared in lead roles in Senthilnathan's ''[[Kaaval Nilayam]]'' and [[K. S. Ravikumar]]'s rural drama film ''[[Cheran Pandiyan]]'', and starred as Chiranjeevi's brother in the Telugu film ''[[Gang Leader]]'', the three were commercially successful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/51635.html |title=Call him Dr K S Ravikumar |date=12 November 2009 |access-date=20 August 2013 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>

In 1992, he has acted in 10 films as protagonist and 2 films as antagonist including the Telugu film ''Agreement'', directed by [[Manivannan]] and [[P. C. Sreeram]]'s ''[[Meera (1992 film)|Meera]]''. In the beginning of 1992, he acted in Senthilnathan's ''[[Ilavarasan]]'', alongside [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]], [[Manivasagam]]'s ''[[Periya Gounder Ponnu]]'' and ''[[Sivantha Malar]]''. In mid-1992, he worked in K. S. Ravikumar's ''[[Oor Mariyadhai]]'', co-starring [[Rajani (actress)|Sasikala]] and in Senthilnathan's ''[[Idhuthanda Sattam]]''. He then starred in the action film ''[[Suriyan]]'', directed by Pavithran and it became his first big break. The film won positive reviews and became highly successful at the box office; he received a ''Cinema Express Award Best Actor Special Award'' for the role in which he shaved his head.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |title=More about Sarath Kumar |url=http://movies.bizhat.com/actors/sarath_kumar_about.php |access-date=11 January 2014 |publisher=bizhat.com}}</ref> Subsequently, Sarathkumar was catapulted to fame, his fan base was growing exponentially and he became selective in accepting new assignments.<ref name="1992 box-office">{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Run-of-the-mill fare |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=1 January 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=7 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19930101&printsec=frontpage}}</ref> Soon, he was in competition with "Puratchi Kalaignar" [[Vijayakanth]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ayyappa Prasad |title=Of film gods, devotees and the rage |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=30 October 1992 |access-date=8 October 2013 |page=7 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RpBlAAAAIBAJ&pg=1621%2C3435798}}</ref> In the end of 1992, he acted in the action film ''[[Thai Mozhi]]'', co-starring [[Vijayakanth]] and [[Mohini (Tamil actress)|Mohini]], ''[[Ellaichami]]'', Manoj Kumar's ''[[Samundi]]'' and Senthilnathan's ''[[Natchathira Nayagan]]'', making their fifth and last collaboration. ''[[Thai Mozhi]]'' was released to mixed reviews and ''Samundi'', despite unfavourable reviews, managed to run for more than 100 days.<ref name="1992 box-office"/><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Thrilling but lacks punch |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=23 October 1993 |access-date=8 October 2013 |page=7 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QJBlAAAAIBAJ&pg=947%2C2847338}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Rings a bell |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=25 September 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=7 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19920925&printsec=frontpage}}</ref> In the start of 1993, he acted in ''[[Aadhityan]]'', co-starring [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]] and [[Pandiarajan]] and in ''[[Dasarathan]]'', produced by [[Mani Ratnam]] and S. Sriram. ''Aadhityan'' was released to negative reviews, while the much-hyped ''Dasarathan'' failed at the box office.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Puerile yarn |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=22 January 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=7 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AIplAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=1872%2C1953122}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Actor with many hats to wear |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092302790100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213230153/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092302790100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 February 2006 |access-date=8 October 2013 |date=23 September 2005 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

In mid-1993, he starred in [[Suresh Krissna]]'s ''[[Vedan]]'', co-starring [[Khushbu]], in ''[[Munarivippu]]'' alongside [[Heera Rajagopal]] and in his fourth collaboration with director K. S. Ravikumar; ''[[Band Master]]'', again with Heera Rajagopal and [[Ranjitha]]. ''Band Master''released to negative reviews, whereas ''[[Munarivippu]]'' was well received critically.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=All gloss, no stuff |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=7 May 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=7 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8ZFlAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=1590%2C831246}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Surprise, without notice |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=18 June 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19930618&printsec=frontpage}}</ref><ref name="oruvan">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbthots.com/reviews/1999/oruvan.html |title=ORUVAN |access-date=21 September 2013 |author=Balaji Balasubramaniam |publisher=bbthots.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Nothing to crow about |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=9 July 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AIplAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=1872%2C1953122}}</ref>

In the end of 1993, he acted in the thriller film ''[[Moondravadhu Kann]]'', he teamed up with the Suriyan team (consisting of director Pavithran, cinematographer [[Ashok Kumar (cinematographer)|Ashok Kumar]], comedian [[Goundamani]], villain [[Babu Antony]] and the editor duo [[B. Lenin]] and [[V. T. Vijayan]]) for the second time in ''[[I Love India]]'' and worked in the comedy film ''[[Kattabomman (film)|Kattabomman]]''. ''Moondravadhu Kann'' was a hit at the box office and Kattabomman was labelled as a "disaster", but Malini Mannath of ''The New Indian Express'' stated that "Sarath seems to have improved on his expressions".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/the-most-consistent-directors-of-tamil-cinema/manivannan.html |title=Manivannan Successive hits&nbsp;– Who gave the most in Tamil cinema? - Behindwoods.com |access-date=21 September 2013 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Best left unseen |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=12 November 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19931112&printsec=frontpage}}</ref> His 1992 Telugu film ''Agreement'' was dubbed into Tamil as ''Idhayam Ullavan'' and fetched highly negative reviews upon release.<ref>{{cite journal |author=K. Vijiyan |title=Bogged down with too many songs |newspaper=[[New Straits Times]] |date=16 October 1993 |access-date=28 August 2013 |page=28 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=x8G803Bi31IC&dat=19931016&printsec=frontpage}}</ref> Malini Mannath criticised his choice of scripts and films. That year, Sarathkumar could not accept the lead role in [[S. Shankar|Shankar]]'s ''[[Gentleman (1993 film)|Gentleman]]'' because he was busy with other projects and was subsequently replaced by [[Arjun Sarja]]. The film turned out be a blockbuster and Sarathkumar missed the chance to consolidate his position.<ref>{{cite journal |author=K. Vijiyan |title=Catchy songs pep up Gentlemen's story |newspaper=[[New Straits Times]] |date=14 August 1993 |access-date=8 October 2013 |page=25 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7DpOAAAAIBAJ&pg=7060%2C1415989}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Festival's flops and surprises |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=10 December 1993 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JX9lAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=1359%2C3289430}}</ref>

In the start of 1994, he worked in ''[[Aranmanai Kaavalan]]'' and in the bilingual Tamil/Telugu film ''[[Captain (1994 film)|Captain]]'', directed by [[Kodi Ramakrishna]]. ''Aranmanai Kaavalan'' was released to positive reviews while ''Captain'' was released to largely negative reviews and failed at the box office.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=What a surprise! |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=25 February 1994 |access-date=22 August 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19940225&printsec=frontpage}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Jerky, insipid |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=4 March 1994 |access-date=22 August 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i4llAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=473%2C3931154}}</ref> In mid-1994, he played three roles in ''[[Namma Annachi]]'' and in Manoj Kumar's masala film ''[[Raja Pandi]]'', he played a cameo appearance, as himself in the comedy film ''[[Killadi Mappillai]]'' and he appeared in a guest role for Pavithran's film ''[[Indhu]]''. ''Namma Annachi'' and ''Rajapandi'' were released to unfavourable reviews. K. Vijiyan of ''[[New Straits Times]]'' stated for ''Namma Annachi'': "to do all three roles is just to generate more publicity for Sarath and the movie".<ref>{{cite journal |author=K. Vijiyan |title=Triple role just to generate publicity |newspaper=[[New Straits Times]] |date=25 June 1994 |access-date=28 August 2013 |page=24 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WiJOAAAAIBAJ&pg=2046%2C1738029}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Hostage of revenge |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=16 September 1994 |access-date=28 August 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19940916&printsec=frontpage}}</ref> His next venture was K. S. Ravikumar's ''[[Nattamai]]'', alongside [[Meena (actress)|Meena]] and [[Khushbu]], in which he played a dual role. The film became a blockbuster and achieved cult status. His performance was highly praised by critics and also fetched him several notable awards, including [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil|Filmfare Award for Best Actor]] and [[Cinema Express Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil|Cinema Express Award for Best Actor]].<ref name="awards"/><ref>{{cite journal |author=Malini Mannath |title=Just end |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=11 November 1994 |access-date=28 August 2013 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E5JlAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=1838%2C3762683}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/village-presidents/sarath-kumar.html |title=Top 7 Village Panchayat Presidents of Tamil cinema&nbsp;– Behindwoods.com |date=23 May 2009 |access-date=29 August 2013 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref> It was followed by ''[[Magudikkaran]]'' in which he appeared in a guest appearance. After the failure of ''Captain'' and the success of ''Nattamai'', R. Sarathkumar decided to focus only on Tamil cinema. The next year, he worked in the village drama ''[[Veluchami]]'', [[P. Vasu]]'s ''[[Coolie (1995 film)|Coolie]]'', ''[[Nadodi Mannan (1995 film)|Nadodi Mannan]]'' and the crime film ''[[Ragasiya Police]]''. ''Veluchami'' opened to favourable reviews with K. Vijiyan of ''[[New Straits Times]]'' claiming that "Sarathkumar shows more maturity with his acting".<ref>{{cite journal |author=K. Vijiyan |title=Good acting, pretty face in Sarath Kumar's latest |newspaper=[[New Straits Times]] |date=4 February 1995 |access-date=21 September 2013 |page=24 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NHBhAAAAIBAJ&pg=3593%2C870319}}</ref> The four films were commercial failures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/soc.culture.tamil/fwLpyN6aWTk/R4FfCjmQ3AsJ |title=Tamil Movie News—1995 Review |date=9 January 1996 |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> In 1996, he acted in [[A. Venkatesh (director)|A. Venkatesh]]'s first film ''[[Mahaprabhu (film)|Mahaprabhu]]''. The film turned out to be a hit.<ref name="A. Venkatesh">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/audio-beat-summa-nachunu-irukku-comic-story-peppy-tunes/article4750106.ece |title=Audio Beat: Summa Nachunu Irukku |author=S. R. Ashok Kumar |date=25 May 2013 |access-date=21 August 2013 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> He then starred in the action film ''[[Nethaji]]'', alongside [[Lisa Ray]]; the film was a failure at the box office.

In 1997, he acted in ''[[Aravindhan]]'', co-starring [[R. Parthiepan]], [[Nagma]] and [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]]. The film failed at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/a-z/atoz.html |title=A-Z (I) – INDOlink |access-date=20 August 2013 |publisher=indolink.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331005748/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/a-z/atoz.html |archive-date=31 March 2009}}</ref> His next venture ''[[Suryavamsam (1997 film)|Suryavamsam]]'', directed by [[Vikraman]] and produced by [[R. B. Choudary]] was a blockbuster. He played a dual role in the film. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in Tamil and Cinema Express Award for Best Actor for the second time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19980824/23650774.html |title=Cinema Express awards presented |date=11 August 1998 |access-date=24 January 2014 |publisher=indianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/03/20/stories/2011032050070400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323122023/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/03/20/stories/2011032050070400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 March 2011 |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : ITSY-BITSY |author=Nikhil Raghavan |date=20 March 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> In the end of 1997, he acted in the [[Sundar C.]] comedy film ''[[Janakiraman]]'' which was a commercial hit. The next year, he played in ''[[Moovendhar]]'', directed by [[Suraj (director)|Suraj]], Sundar C's assistant director. The film, released to negative reviews, failed at the box office. After ''Nattamai'', he re-teamed with K. S. Ravikumar in ''[[Natpukkaga]]'', the film was well received critically and turned out to be a blockbuster. R. Sarathkumar won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]] for the third time and the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor]] for the second time. He made a cameo appearance in Vikraman's ''[[Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen]]''. He then starred in the Telugu film ''Preminchanu Nene'' and in ''[[Simmarasi]]'', directed by Erode Soundar, K. S. Ravikumar's former dialogue writer. ''Simmarasi'' was released to unfavourable reviews, but Sarathkumar was praised for his role.<ref>{{cite journal |author=K. Vijiyan |title=Bumper year for Tamil movies |newspaper=[[New Straits Times]] |date=28 December 1998 |access-date=11 January 2014 |page=4 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BldIAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=6948%2C5481959}}</ref><ref>[http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/Simma_Rasi_23215.html Simma Rasi: Movie Review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609215000/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Reviews/articles/Simma_Rasi_23215.html |date=9 June 2012 }}. Indolink.com. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref> In the start of 1999, he acted in R. Chandra's ''[[Chinna Durai (1999 film)|Chinna Durai]]'', co-starring with [[Roja Selvamani|Roja]]. It was followed by ''[[Oruvan (1999 film)|Oruvan]]'', the remake of the Telugu film ''[[Auto Driver]]'', in which Sarathkumar paired with [[Pooja Batra]] and teamed up for the second time with the director Suresh Krissna. Usha Gopalakrishnan of ''indolink.com'' praised Sarathkumar's acting.<ref name="oruvan"/> In the end of 1999, he acted in K. S. Ravikumar's ''[[Paattali]]''.

In 2000, he starred in Super Good Films, ''[[Maayi]]'' and made a guest appearance in ''[[Pennin Manathai Thottu]]''. Despite facing controversy, ''Maayi'' proved to be successful at the box office with a reviewer citing that "In the title role of a totally underplayed character, Sarathkumar surely makes a mark".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/03/19/stories/04192231.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216014642/http://www.hindu.com/2000/03/19/stories/04192231.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 December 2013 |title=PT threatens stir against 'Maayi' |author=Radha Venkatesan |date=19 March 2000 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=10 January 2014}}</ref> In the start of 2001, he acted in the action film ''[[Rishi (2001 film)|Rishi]]'' and went on to appear as himself in ''[[Ullam Kollai Poguthae]]'', both directed by Sundar C. He co-starred with [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] in ''[[Vinnukum Mannukum]]'', directed by [[Rajakumaran (director)|Rajakumaran]] and produced by R. B. Choudary. The film, released after many troubles and eventually failed at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/Hot%20News%20For%20You%20010520011.htm |title=Vinnukkum Mannukkum |access-date=20 August 2013 |publisher=cinematoday2.itgo.com}}</ref> He then acted in [[S. A. Chandrasekhar]]'s ''[[Dosth (2001 Tamil film)|Dosth]]''. His next release was K. S. Ravikumar's family drama ''[[Samudhiram]]''; he acted alongside [[Murali (Tamil actor)|Murali]] and [[Manoj Bharathiraja]]. Despite negative reviews,<ref>[http://www.thiraipadam.com/cgi-bin/movie_review.pl?id=186&user_name=bbalaji&review_lang=english&lang=english Samuthiram – Tamil Movie Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701063427/http://www.thiraipadam.com/cgi-bin/movie_review.pl?id=186&user_name=bbalaji&review_lang=english&lang=english |date=1 July 2020 }}. Thiraipadam.com. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref> the film was a commercial success. The next year, he appeared in ''[[Thenkasi Pattanam]]'', alongside [[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]] and ''[[Samasthanam]]'', alongside Malayalam actor [[Suresh Gopi]], both were two hero-subjects. Sarathkumar's first 2003 release was ''[[Arasu (2003 film)|Arasu]]'', directed by Suresh, and the film was successful at the box office.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/03/12/stories/2004031202260301.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404012038/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/03/12/stories/2004031202260301.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 April 2004 |title=Gambeeram |author=Malathi Rangarajan |date=12 March 2004 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=21 August 2013}}</ref> However, his second film ''[[Paarai (film)|Paarai]]'', a remake of the Malayalam film ''[[Mahayanam]]'', directed by K. S. Ravikumar was an average grosser.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jun/28south.htm |title=Sarath Kumar celebrates |date=28 June 2003 |access-date=21 August 2013 |work=rediff.com}}</ref> His third film was ''[[Diwan (film)|Diwan]]'', directed by Suryaprakash, who previously directed the successful ''Maayi''. His performance was praised by critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kollywood.allindiansite.com/diwan.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041031072518/http://kollywood.allindiansite.com/diwan.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 October 2004 |title=AllIndianSite.com&nbsp;– Diwan&nbsp;– It's All About movie |access-date=21 August 2013 |publisher=kollywood.allindiansite.com}}</ref> In the start of 2004, he acted in the action films ''[[Chatrapathy (2004 film)|Chatrapathy]]'' and ''[[Gambeeram]]''; both were average grosser.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil-box-office-march-update-news-tamil-kkfvM3fadfi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126095458/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil-box-office-march-update-news-tamil-kkfvM3fadfi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2011 |title=Tamil box office March update! |date=15 March 2004 |access-date=21 August 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> In the making for the last five years, ''[[Maanasthan]]'' was released to average reviews.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140131102612/http://www.sify.com/movies/manasthan-review-tamil-13500715.html Movie Review : Manasthan]. Sify.com. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref> His next venture ''[[Aai (film)|Aai]]'', in which he co-starred with [[Namitha]] and [[Vadivelu]], an action masala film, directed by [[A. Venkatesh (director)|A. Venkatesh]], was a decent hit. He was also introduced as a playback singer in ''Aai''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13636497 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229090755/http://sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13636497 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 December 2004 |title='Aei' success meet in Chennai! |date=25 December 2004 |access-date=21 August 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

In 2005, he starred in [[Hari (director)|Hari]]'s ''[[Ayya (2005 Tamil film)|Ayya]]'', alongside newcomer [[Nayanthara]]. The film was released on the Pongal weekend to positive reviews and was successful at the box office. Sarathkumar's performance fetched very positive reviews with a reviewer citing: "another splendid performance from Sarathkumar".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jan/14south2.htm |title=rediff.com: Pongal Releases, 2005 |date=14 January 2005 |access-date=21 August 2013 |work=rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-3/top-20-actors/3-sarath.html |title=Sarath Kumar&nbsp;– Top 20 actors of Kollywood&nbsp;– Behindwoods.com |date=14 January 2005 |access-date=21 August 2013 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/political-movies/ayya.html |title=The best of reel politics&nbsp;– Behindwoods.com |date=16 May 2009 |access-date=29 August 2013 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/1973/tamil/ayya/393/review.htm |title=Ayya Review&nbsp;– Tamil Movie Review&nbsp;– Now Running |date=12 January 2005 |access-date=21 August 2013 |publisher=nowrunning.com}}</ref> He appeared in guest appearances in the Telugu film ''[[Bunny (2005 film)|Bunny]]'' and his wife's production ''[[Githan]]''. The success of A. Venkatesh's ''Aai'' resulted in the film's team collaborating to make a film in a similar genre, ''[[Chanakya (2005 film)|Chanakya]]'', which also featured Namitha and Vadivelu. The film was a hit at the box office, and marked the A. Venkatesh and Sarathkumar combination's third hit in a row.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/chanakya-opens-big-news-tamil-kkfvzHcjcif.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314041128/http://www.sify.com/movies/chanakya-opens-big-news-tamil-kkfvzHcjcif.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 March 2014 |title=Tamil box office March update! |date=25 September 2005 |access-date=21 August 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News39/29-11-05/tamil-movies-news-sarath.html |title=Sarathkumar's lucky mascot is Venkatesh |date=29 November 2005 |access-date=23 August 2013 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref> He signed up for ''Khaki'' and shooting was in progress. Sarathkumar even tonsured his head for the film, but the film was dropped for some reason.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2008/sarath-kumar-revives-khaki-310308.html |title=Sarath Kumar revives Khaki |date=31 March 2008 |access-date=21 August 2013 |publisher=oneindia.in}}</ref>

In 2006, he directed and acted in his 100th film ''[[Thalaimagan]]'', produced by his wife Raadhika under the "Radaan Media works" banner. The film failed at the box office. The next year, he starred in [[Gautham Vasudev Menon]]'s ''[[Pachaikili Muthucharam]]'', which released to positive reviews, but ended up as an average grosser. A critic stated his performance: "as a next-door-family-man, Sarathkumar has excelled".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/3483/tamil/pachaikili-muthucharam/1056/review.htm |title=Pachaikili Muthucharam Review&nbsp;– Tamil Movie Review&nbsp;– Now Running |date=16 February 2007 |access-date=21 August 2013 |publisher=nowrunning.com}}</ref> Sarathkumar signed up for a Malayalam film, ''Vaitheeswaran'', ''1977'' and a film directed by K. S. Ravikumar.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/16/stories/2007021620260200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218080334/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/16/stories/2007021620260200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2007 |title=I don't have time for politics now |author=S.R. Ashok Kumar |date=16 February 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=21 August 2013}}</ref> He then played a cameo appearance as himself in [[Cheran (director)|Cheran]]'s ''[[Maya Kannadi]]''. Sarathkumar's last 2007 release was ''[[Nam Naadu (2007 film)|Nam Naadu]]'', a remake of the Malayalam hit ''Lion'', marking his third collaboration with director Suresh. This was his first film after he launched his own political party in Tamil Nadu. The film, released to largely negative reviews, failed at the box office. In 2008, his only release was the supernatural film ''[[Vaitheeswaran]]'', which was released to negative reviews.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/03/21/stories/2008032160040200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324134319/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/03/21/stories/2008032160040200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 March 2008 |title=Speak less, please! – Vaitheeswaran |author=Malathi Rangarajan |date=21 March 2008 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=21 August 2013}}</ref>

In the start of 2009, he acted in the film ''[[1977 (film)|1977]]'', donning six different looks. The film, made with a whopping budget of 15 crores, was directed and produced by newcomer G. N. Dinesh Kumar. The film, which released to negative reviews, took an average opening and was declared a flop at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/4972/tollywood/1977-with-15-crores-news-details |title='1977' with 15 crores |access-date=21 August 2013 |publisher=supergoodmovies.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915083109/http://www.supergoodmovies.com/4972/tollywood/1977-with-15-crores-news-details |archive-date=15 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/1977.html |title=1977 Review&nbsp;– Behindwoods.com |access-date=21 August 2013 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14867939&cid=13525926 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211094214/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14867939&cid=13525926 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2011 |title=Chennai Box Office: March 6–8, 2009 |author=Malathi Rangarajan |date=10 March 2009 |access-date=21 August 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/2009-kollywood-hits-misses-news-tamil-kkfrfMiibaa.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010030945/http://www.sify.com/movies/2009-kollywood-hits-misses-news-tamil-kkfrfMiibaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2012 |title=2009– Kollywood Hits & Misses! |date=31 December 2009 |access-date=21 August 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> In October 2009, Sarathkumar made his debut in Malayalam through ''[[Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'', in which he co-starred with [[Mammootty]] and he played the role of [[Edachena Kunkan]]. The historical period film was directed by [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]]. For the film, Sarathkumar won the [[Vanitha Film Awards]] for Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-06-17/news-interviews/27764102_1_malayalam-film-pazhassi-raja-mammootty |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030070047/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-06-17/news-interviews/27764102_1_malayalam-film-pazhassi-raja-mammootty |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 October 2013 |title=Sarath, Mammootty to act in Malayalam film |date=17 June 2008 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=21 August 2013}}</ref> After the release of ''Pazhassi Raja'', Sarathkumar was flooded with offers in Malayalam. ''[[Jaggubhai]]'' was released on 29 January 2010, the film, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, became the tenth collaboration between the director and the actor. The film, facing serious piracy problems before its release, bombed ultimately at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/53274.html |title=Sarath-Radhika in tears: Stars support |date=5 January 2010 |access-date=22 August 2013 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamil.way2movies.com/exclusivesingle_tamil/Re-%E2%80%98Koll%E2%80%99-of-2010-Hits-and-Flops--11-63873.html |title=Re 'Koll' of 2010 Hits and Flops&nbsp;– Exclusive |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=22 August 2013 |publisher=tamil.way2movies.com |archive-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112024147/http://tamil.way2movies.com/exclusivesingle_tamil/Re-%E2%80%98Koll%E2%80%99-of-2010-Hits-and-Flops--11-63873.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He then made a guest appearance in [[Madhumitha (director)|Madhumitha]]'s comedy film ''[[Kola Kolaya Mundhirika]]''. In the end of 2010, he acted in the Malayalam film ''[[Oridathoru Postman]]'', which was a flop at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article168778.ece |title=Meera Nandan regrets film choices |date=10 December 2010 |access-date=22 August 2013 |publisher=newindianexpress.com}}</ref> In early 2010, he acted in his first Malayalam film ''[[The Metro (film)|The Metro]]'' as a solo hero, which bombed at the Kerala box office.<ref name="sify">{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sarathkumar-is-still-hot-in-malayalam-news-malayalam-lcil3Hccdij.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211094659/http://www.sify.com/movies/sarathkumar-is-still-hot-in-malayalam-news-malayalam-lcil3Hccdij.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2011 |title=Sarathkumar is still hot in Malayalam! |date=9 February 2011 |access-date=22 August 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> He appeared in ''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]'', directed by [[Joshiy]], starring alongside [[Mohanlal]], [[Dileep (actor)|Dileep]], and [[Suresh Gopi]]. The film was a blockbuster.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myfirstshow.com/news/view/4935/A-multi-starrer-film-%E2%80%98Christian-Brothers.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130822114735/http://www.myfirstshow.com/news/view/4935/A-multi-starrer-film-%E2%80%98Christian-Brothers.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 August 2013 |title=A multi starrer film 'Christian Brothers' |access-date=22 August 2013 |publisher=myfirstshow.com }}</ref> In mid-2011, Sarathkumar played the role of a [[transgender]] person in [[Raghava Lawrence]]'s ''[[Muni 2: Kanchana]]''. The film became a commercial success in both Tamil and Telugu, he won for his performance a [[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/lawrence-s-kanchana-strikes-gold-news-tamil-libkKThadff.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926085637/http://www.sify.com/movies/lawrence-s-kanchana-strikes-gold-news-tamil-libkKThadff.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 September 2011 |title=Lawrence's Kanchana strikes gold |date=2 August 2011 |access-date=22 August 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

In early 2012, he accepted [[Soundarya R. Ashwin|Soundarya]]'s offer for an important role in the film ''[[Kochadaiiyaan]]'', starring [[Rajinikanth]] and [[Deepika Padukone]]. He played lead role in the Malayalam film ''[[Achante Aanmakkal]]'' as an IPS officer.<ref name="sify" /> He then starred in his first Kannada film ''[[Saarathi]]'', which was a blockbuster, followed by the Telugu film ''[[Genius (2012 film)|Genius]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/2011-success-rate-of-kannada-films-increased/215982-62-132.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801235134/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/2011-success-rate-of-kannada-films-increased/215982-62-132.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 August 2012 |title=2011: Success rate of Kannada films increased |date=29 December 2011 |access-date=22 August 2013 |publisher=ibnlive.in.com}}</ref> The next year, he played the role of a police officer in the Kannada film ''[[Myna (film)|Myna]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/kannada/news/2013/interview-mynaa-real-life-nagashekar-103789.html |title=Interview&nbsp;– Mynaa is based on a real-life incident: Nagashekar |author=Balraj Tantri |date=21 February 2013 |access-date=23 August 2013 |publisher=oneindia.in}}</ref> His next venture was ''[[Chennaiyil Oru Naal]]'', a remake of the Malayalam hit film ''[[Traffic (2011 film)|Traffic]]'' and co-produced by his wife Raadhika Sarathkumar, in which he played the role of a traffic police commissioner. The film became a critical and commercial success.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-04/news-interviews/38277206_1_chennaiyil-oru-naal-sarath-kumar-prasanna |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111204918/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-04/news-interviews/38277206_1_chennaiyil-oru-naal-sarath-kumar-prasanna |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 January 2014 |title=Chennaiyil Oru Naal, a success |date=4 April 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=23 August 2013}}</ref> He then appeared in the Telugu film ''[[Chandee]]'', playing the role of a police officer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131108/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/chandi-review-disappointing-revenge-drama |title='Chandi' review: Disappointing revenge drama |date=10 November 2013 |access-date=15 September 2014 |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220033142/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131108/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/chandi-review-disappointing-revenge-drama |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the beginning of 2014, he played the role of a CBI officer in ''[[Nimirndhu Nil]]'' and ''[[Janda Pai Kapiraju]]'', which were shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/nimirnthu-nil-review-tamil-15050838.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310182224/http://www.sify.com/movies/nimirnthu-nil-review-tamil-15050838.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 March 2014 |title=Movie Review : Nimirnthu Nil |access-date=15 September 2014 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Jenda-Pai-Kapiraju-postponed-again/articleshow/39543587.cms |title=Jenda Pai Kapiraju postponed again? |date=3 August 2014 |access-date=15 September 2014 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> He then appeared in "India's first photorealistic performance capture film" ''[[Kochadaiiyaan]]'', co-starring [[Rajinikanth]] and [[Deepika Padukone]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Kochadaiyaan-Must-be-Viewed-as-Animated-Film-Warns-Ravikumar/2014/03/11/article2103071.ece |title='Kochadaiyaan' Must be Viewed as Animated Film, Warns Ravikumar |date=11 March 2014 |access-date=15 September 2014 |publisher=The New Indian Express}}</ref> The film is followed by Malayalam film, ''[[Asha Black]]'' and was simultaneously released in Tamil as ''Nee Naan Nizhal''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-asha-black-is-boring-and-insipid-south/20141013.htm |title=Review: Asha Black is boring and insipid |website=Rediff |language=en |access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref>

In 2015, he appeared in a Cameo appearance in ''[[I (2015 film)|I]]'' directed by [[S. Shankar]], and his next ''[[Sandamarutham]]'' in dual roles, directed by [[A. Venkatesh (director)|A. Venkatesh]] while Sarathkumar wrote the story and the screenplay was by written crime novelist Rajeshkumar. Then he starred in the Telugu film ''[[Janda Pai Kapiraju]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/sandamarutham-suffers-from-illusions-of-being-grand/article6917264.ece |title=Sandamarutham: Suffers from illusions of being grand |last=Srinivasan |first=Sudhir |date=20 February 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 October 2019 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/nanis-jenda-pai-kapiraju-to-be-dubbed-in-tamil-as-velan-ettuthikkum/articleshow/64316258.cms |title=Nani's 'Jenda Pai Kapiraju' to be dubbed in Tamil as 'Velan Ettuthikkum' - Times of India |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref> He interprets the role of [[Sikandar Lodi]] in the Kannada film ''[[Santheyalli Nintha Kabira]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/nov/21/sarathkumar-gets-nostalgic-about-his-bangalore-days-1900971.html |title=Sarathkumar gets nostalgic about his Bangalore days |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref> Sarath kumar

accumulates films in second roles like ''[[Nenorakam]]'' (2017), ''[[Raajakumara]]'' (2017), ''[[Jaya Janaki Nayaka]]'' (2017).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/nenorakam-review-telugu-movie-19066 |title=Nenorakam review. Nenorakam Telugu movie review, story, rating |website=IndiaGlitz.com |access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Everything-you-want-to-know-about-Rajakumara/articleshow/50148541.cms |title=Everything you want to know about Rajakumara - Times of India |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/jaya-janaki-nayaka-review-the-ultimate-protector/article19479762.ece |title=Jaya Janaki Nayaka review: The ultimate protector |last=Nadadhur |first=Srivathsan |date=12 August 2017 |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 October 2019 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He made his comeback in Tamil cinema as the main lead in the thriller film, ''[[Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2]]'' (2017),a spirit sequel to the 2013 ''Chennaiyil Oru Naal''. As reviewed by sify.com, "Sarathkumar is the only saving grace, he looks perfect as a stylish police officer and the actor is the main reason to watch the film until the end".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/chennayil-oru-naal-2-review-a-tedious-watch-review-tamil-rktljqhedbbbc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019100355/http://www.sify.com/movies/chennayil-oru-naal-2-review-a-tedious-watch-review-tamil-rktljqhedbbbc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2017 |title=Review : Chennayil Oru Naal-2: Review-A tedious watch (2017) |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref> For the ''Hindu'' press, "this is a role that he can perform in his sleep. He is adequate, but the rest of cast, including [[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]] and [[Suhasini Maniratnam]], have nothing to offer, probably because of the weak writing". The film opened to mostly negative reviews.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/chennaiyil-oru-naal-2-review-a-film-punished-by-weak-writing/article19882769.ece |title=Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2 review: A film punished by weak writing |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=19 October 2017 |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 October 2019 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In 2018, he starred in a series of Telugu action movies like ''[[Naa Peru Surya, Naa Illu India]]'', ''[[Bharat Ane Nenu]]'', ''[[Saakshyam]]'' and ''[[Devadas (2018 film)|Devadas]]''.

In his early days as an actor, R. Sarathkumar was considered to be close to [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK) supremo [[Jayalalithaa]].<ref name="awards3">{{cite news |title=Star wars |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jayalalitha-to-use-sarath-kumar-to-checkmate-rajnikanth-politically/1/289520.html |date=31 October 1995 |access-date=12 January 2014 |newspaper=India Today}}</ref> However, Sarath's proximity to Jayalalithaa landed him in deep trouble when the film ''[[Nattamai]]'' (1994), which was still running in Tamil Nadu theatres, was aired by Jayalalithaa's television channel JJ TV, using a videotape, which Sarathkumar gave her for personal viewing at her residence. However, this caused a furore in the film industry as the producer [[R. B. Choudary]] threatened action against Sarathkumar for misusing a tape given to him for personal viewing. An embarrassed Sarathkumar explained that he was taken by surprise and that he never expected Jayalalithaa to give it to the channel for the telecast. He sought an explanation from both Jayalalitha and JJ TV, but without success. The ruling party reacted predictably, using every forum to attack Sarathkumar. He, in turn, realising that the public was behind him, announced his decision to join hands with [[Rajinikanth]], who supported the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) – [[Tamil Maanila Congress]] (TMC) alliance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jayalalitha's unlucky stars |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/actor-sharad-kumar-joins-the-fray-against-tamil-nadu-cm-jayalalitha/1/289797.html |author=G. C. Shekhar |date=31 December 1995 |access-date=12 January 2014 |newspaper=India Today}}</ref><ref name="political career">{{cite web |title=Sarath Kumar quits DMK |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14181920&cid=13151866 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314094321/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14181920&cid=13151866 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 March 2014 |date=11 April 2006 |access-date=12 January 2014 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=M.L. |first1=Ahuja |title=Electoral Politics and General Elections in India, 1952–1998 |publisher=Mittal Publications |orig-date=1st. Pub. 1998 |page=301 |chapter=On the Campaign Trail |isbn=978-8-170-99711-5 |year=1998}}</ref>

In 1996, Sarath Kumar entered politics, joining the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). In 1998, the DMK's leader [[Karunanidhi]] asked Sarathkumar to contest the Lok Sabha elections from [[Tirunelveli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tirunelveli]]. [[1998 Indian general election|In the election]], DMK lost very badly and the alliance could muster only 9 seats compared to the 39 seats it swept in 1996. Even though DMK lost badly in many constituencies, Sarathkumar was defeated by the AIADMK candidate [[Kadambur R. Janarthanan]] by a margin of only 6904 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elections 98 |url=http://www.rediff.com/election/1999/aug/tn36.htm |access-date=2 February 2014 |work=rediff.com}}</ref> In July 2001, the party made him a [[Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu|Rajya Sabha member]], but he resigned before the [[2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2006 Assembly elections]] to join the AIADMK along with his wife [[Raadhika Sarathkumar|Raadhika]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Starry blow to DMK, Sarath Kumar joins AIADMK |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_starry-blow-to-dmk-sarath-kumar-joins-aiadmk_1023443 |author=Arun Ram |date=11 April 2006 |access-date=12 January 2014 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref> In October 2006, his wife Radhika was dismissed from AIADMK for anti-party activities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarath Kumar, Radhika face different problems |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/20/stories/2006042005080500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060421150940/http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/20/stories/2006042005080500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2006 |author=V. Jayanth |date=20 April 2006 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> He also quit AIADMK in November 2006, quoting that his role as president of the [[Nadigar Sangam|South Indian Artistes' Association]] needed "undivided attention".<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarath Kumar quits AIADMK |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110709330600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017112354/http://hindu.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110709330600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 October 2007 |author=V. Jayanth |date=7 November 2006 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref>

Sarathkumar launched his own political party the [[All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi]] on 31 August 2007. Sarathkumar said: "We are disillusioned by the [[Dravidian parties]], which had done little to develop the state despite being in power for four decades".<ref name="indianexpress"/> Just before [[2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2011 Assembly elections]], Sarathkumar joined the AIADMK alliance and his party was allotted two seats.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/sarath-kumars-party-gets-two-seats-in-aiadmk-alliance/article1525926.ece Sarath Kumar's party gets two seats in AIADMK alliance]. The Hindu (10 March 2011). Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref> His party contested as part of the AIADMK alliance and won in two assembly constituencies – [[Tenkasi (State Assembly Constituency)|Tenkasi]] and [[Nanguneri (State Assembly Constituency)|Nanguneri]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/19/stories/2011031963960400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322190412/http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/19/stories/2011031963960400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2011 |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Jayalalithaa establishes direct contact with leaders of AIADMK alliance |date=19 March 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref> Sarathkumar won from [[Tenkasi (State Assembly Constituency)|Tenkasi]] and Ernavur A. Narayanan won from [[Nanguneri (State Assembly Constituency)|Nanguneri]].<ref>[http://www.newsreporter.in/tenkasi-constituency-election-results-2011-sarath-kumar-r-of-aismk-wins-tamil-nadu Tenkasi constituency election results 2011 : Sarath Kumar R of AISMK WINS – Tamil Nadu]. NewsReporter.in (13 May 2011). Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref> In January 2016, Ernavur A. Narayanan has been expelled from the party for not abiding by the party rules and indulging in anti-party activities.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/sarath-kumar-expels-party-mla-ernavur-narayanan/article8160387.ece |title=Sarath Kumar expels party MLA Ernavur Narayanan |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=21 November 2016 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> In the [[2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2016 Assembly elections]], Sarath Kumar lost in [[Tiruchendur (State Assembly Constituency)|Tiruchendur Constituency]] to DMK Candidate [[Anitha R. Radhakrishnan]].<ref name="2016 election">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamilnadu2016/tamil-nadu-assembly-elections-2016-tamil-film-action-heroes-lose-out/article8621209.ece |title=Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2016: Tamil film action heroes lose out |date=19 May 2016 |access-date=21 November 2016 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> In November 2017, Sarathkumar said in an interview for [[The Hindu]] : "For the last 10 years, I have been closely associated with AIADMK. In fact, I have even been identified as the party's propaganda secretary. Though I don't regret this identification, my party couldn't grow. Now, I want to focus on my party and be seen as a possible Chief Minister candidate".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sarathkumar-wants-to-be-seen-as-possible-cm-candidate/article20461972.ece |title=Want to be seen as possible CM candidate: Sarathkumar |date=16 November 2017 |access-date=14 August 2018 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

 

|[[1998 Indian general election]] || [[Tirunelveli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tirunelveli]] || [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] || 40.29 || bgcolor=FFA07A|Lost || [[M. R. Kadambur Janarthanan]] || [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] || 41.44 ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1998/Vol_I_LS_98.pdf#page=239 |title=STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1998 TO THE 12th LOK SABHA |publisher=Election Commission of India |format=PDF |access-date=21 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718181833/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1998/Vol_I_LS_98.pdf#page=239 |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

|[[2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|TN Assembly election 2011]] || [[Tenkasi (State Assembly Constituency)|Tenkasi]] || [[All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi|AISMK]]<br /><small>(AIADMK alliance)</small> || 54.3 || bgcolor=98FB98|Won|| [[V. Karuppasamy Pandian]] || DMK || 40.78 ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.empoweringindia.org/new/constituency.aspx?eid=740&cid=222 |title=Tenkasi Assembly Election 2011, Tamil Nadu |access-date=21 November 2016 |publisher=empoweringindia.org}}</ref>

|[[2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|TN Assembly election 2016]] || [[Tiruchendur (State Assembly Constituency)|Tiruchendur]] || AISMK<br /><small>(AIADMK alliance)</small> || 37.38 || bgcolor=FFA07A|Lost || [[Anitha R. Radhakrishnan]] || DMK || 52.97 ||<ref name="2016 election"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2016/10-Detailed%20Resultstamil.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 October 2017 |archive-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215123203/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2016/10-Detailed%20Resultstamil.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

R. Sarathkumar has been married twice. His first marriage was to Chaya devi in 1984 and the couple had two daughters, [[Varalaxmi Sarathkumar|Varalaxmi]] (born 1985) and Pooja (born 1987).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/Tamil-celebrities-who-married-more-than-once/Tamil-Celebrities-who-married-more-than-once/photostory/48093709.cms |title=Tamil celebrities who married more than once |date=16 July 2015 |access-date=25 November 2016 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pellipetakulu.com/start0/sarathkumar-and-chaya-got-divorced |title=Sarathkumar And Chaya Got Divorced |access-date=25 November 2016 |publisher=pellipetakulu.com}}</ref>

While still married to Chaya, Sarathkumar had a highly publicised affair with actress [[Nagma]] during the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 May 1998 |title=It is rose season again! |url=http://minnoviyam.com/star/track19.html |work=minnoviyam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013124149/http://minnoviyam.com/star/track19.html |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=13 October 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Iyer |first1=Meena |title='Bollywood has double standards' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/bollywood-has-double-standards/articleshow/11850403.cms |access-date=23 November 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=12 February 2012 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tamil movies : "Want your money back? Ask Nagma not me!" – Sarath's answer pushes man to complaint with police |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/july-06-03/19-07-06-sarath-kumar.html |access-date=23 November 2021 |work=Behindwoods |date=19 July 2006}}</ref> Sarathkumar and Chaya got divorced in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/News/98/Mar/news3.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430054302/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/News/98/Mar/news3.htm |archive-date=30 April 2016 |title=Tamil Movie News: March edition |access-date=25 November 2016 |publisher=dinakaran.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/july-06-03/19-07-06-sarath-kumar.html |title=Tamil Movies : "Want your money back? Ask Nagma not me!" |date=19 July 2009 |access-date=25 November 2016 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.bizhat.com/actress/nagma.php |title=Tamil actress Nagma |access-date=25 November 2016 |publisher=movies.bizhat.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Bollywood-has-double-standards/articleshow/11850403.cms |title=Bollywood has double standards |date=12 February 2012 |access-date=25 November 2016 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

Sarathkumar married actress [[Raadhika Sarathkumar|Raadhika]] in 2001. They were friends when they worked together in Kargil, they also paired in two films: ''[[Namma Annachi]]'' and ''[[Suryavamsam (1997 film)|Suryavamsam]]''. The couple has a son named Rahul born in 2004. He has also a stepdaughter named Rayanne Hardy born to his wife [[Raadhika Sarathkumar|Raadhika]] with her ex-husband Richard Hardy in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/Gossip.htm |title=Sarath: Radhika's Next Groom! |access-date=4 January 2014 |publisher=cinematoday2.itgo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/02/sarathkumar-radikaa-celebrate-10th.html |title=Sarathkumar-Radikaa celebrate 10th wedding anniversary! |date=8 February 2011 |access-date=4 January 2014 |publisher=kollyinsider.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/news/2015/famous-kollywood-tamil-actors-celebrities-who-have-married-many-multiple-times/sarathkumar-pf76107-171418.html |title=Surprise party for a loving couple |date=22 January 2015 |access-date=25 November 2016 |publisher=filmibeat.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/31/stories/2004123102490400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211103440/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/31/stories/2004123102490400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2005 |title=Entertainment / Interview : Managing a mega show |author=Malathi Rangarajan |date=31 December 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/07/06/stories/2004070600510100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040710150143/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/07/06/stories/2004070600510100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2004 |title='I bully you a lot more now' |author=S. R. Ashok Kumar |date=6 July 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref>

His elder daughter Varalaxmi is an actress in the [[Cinema of South India|South Indian film industry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Varalaxmi-celebrates-in-Andaman/articleshow/18807763.cms |title=Varalaxmi celebrates in Andaman |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=25 November 2016 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> His stepdaughter Rayanne Hardy got married with [[cricket]]er [[Abhimanyu Mithun]] on 28 August 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/raadhika-sarathkumars-daughter-rayane-set-marry-abhimanyu-mithun-whos-who-film-industry-691434 |title=Raadhika Sarathkumar's daughter Rayane marries Abhimanyu Mithun |date=29 August 2016 |access-date=25 November 2016 |work=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dileep-appeals-public-support-after-wedding-requests-media-not-publish-negative-reports |title=Raadhika Sarathkumar's daughter Rayane and cricketer Abhimanyu tie the knot |date=28 August 2016 |access-date=25 November 2016 |publisher=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref>

| ''Jagathalaprathapan'' || Dileep || Tamil ||

| ''[[Enkitta Mothathe (1990 film)|Enkitta Mothathe]]'' || "Military" Kandan ||Tamil ||  

| rowspan="15"| 1991 || ''Namma Ooru Mariamma'' || Rajadurai || Tamil ||

! Language

| ''[[Samuthiram]]'' || Selvarasu

 

| rowspan="4"| 2004 || ''[[Gambeeram]]'' || [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Muthusamy || Tamil ||

| 2006 || ''[[Thalaimagan]]'' || Dheeran || Tamil || 100th Film; also director

|rowspan="4"| 2011 || ''[[Muni 2: Kanchana]]'' || Karthik alias Kanchana || Tamil ||In This Film He has got the title 'Puratchi Thilagam'

| rowspan="3"| 2015 || ''[[I (2015 film)|I]]'' || Himself || Tamil || Cameo appearance

| rowspan="4" |2018|| ''[[Bharat Ane Nenu]]'' || [[Chief Minister (India)|CM]] Raghava Rao || Telugu || Special appearance

| ''[[Naa Peru Surya, Naa Illu India]]'' || Challa || Telugu ||  

|2019|| ''[[Seetharama Kalyana]]'' || Shankar || Kannada ||

| rowspan="3" |2020||  ''[[Vaanam Kottatum]]''  || Bose  || Tamil || ||

|rowspan="2"|Appal Naidu

|rowspan="2"|Telugu

|

|[[Superintendent of Police|SP]] Vetrivel [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]

|{{pending film|[[Dileep|Bandra]]}}||{{TBA}}||Malayalam||Filming||

|{{Pending film|Criminal}}

|{{TBA}}

|Filming

|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gautham Karthik begins his next titled 'Criminal' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/gautham-karthik-begins-his-next-titled-criminal/articleshow/97312392.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

|{{TBA}}|| {{Pending film|The Smile Man}} || {{TBA}} || Tamil || Filming ||<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rajendran |first1=Gopinath |title=Sarath Kumar's 150th film titled The Smile Man |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/feb/21/sarath-kumars-150th-film-titled-the-smile-man-29875.html |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=[[Cinema Express]] |date=21 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

|{{TBA}}|| {{Pending film|Paramporul}} || {{TBA}} || Tamil || Filming ||

|{{TBA}}||{{Pending film|Raymo}} || Sri Deshpande || Kannada || Delayed||<ref>{{cite news |title=Is team Raymo looking at a Pongal release? |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2021/nov/30/is-team-raymo-looking-at-a-pongal-release-28112.html |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=[[Cinema Express]] |date=30 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

|{{TBA}}

|{{Pending film|Nirangal Moondru}}

|Selvam

|Tamil

|Post Production

|

|2014 || "Mugam Parthen"<br />"Muthamidhave Ennai" || ''Ilakkanam Illa Kaadhal'' || Williams-Naga ||

 

=== Television ===

|2000

|''Madras Maamis''

|[[Parampara (TV series)|''Parampara'']]

|[[Bigg Boss (Tamil season 5)|''Big Boss'']]

|Nagendra Naidu

|[[Telugu language|Telugu]]

|[[Disney+ Hotstar]]

|''[[Vanakkam Tamizha]]''

|Guest

|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]

|[[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]

|

* [[Kalaimamani]] (1993)<ref name="awards"/><ref name="awards1">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiafilm.com/actors.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830073701/http://www.indiafilm.com/actors.htm |archive-date=30 August 2009 |title=Sarath Kumar |access-date=2 February 2014 |publisher=indiafilm.com}}</ref>

* 1994&nbsp;– [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor]] for ''[[Nattamai]]''<ref name="awards"/><ref name="awards1"/><ref name="awards2">{{cite web |url=http://aismktuticorin.in/ourleader.php |title=AISMK&nbsp;– Awards |access-date=2 February 2014 |publisher=aismktuticorin.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815181522/http://aismktuticorin.in/ourleader.php |archive-date=15 August 2014}}</ref>

* 1996&nbsp;– [[Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award|M.G.R. Award]]<ref name="awards"/><ref name="awards2"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/10733.html |title=Tamil Nadu announces film awards for three years |website=IndiaGlitz.com |access-date=19 October 2009}}</ref>

* 1997&nbsp;– Cinema Express Award for Best Actor – ''Suryavamsam''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19980824/23650774.html |title=Cinema Express awards presented |access-date=2 February 2014 |publisher=expressindia.indianexpress.com}}</ref>

* 2000&nbsp;– Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/oct/15meera.htm |title=Meena wins award for best actress |access-date=2 February 2014 |work=rediff.com}}</ref>

* 1997&nbsp;– Dinakaran Cinema Best Actor Award – ''Suryavamsam''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/dkn1997/1997dkn.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701014658/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/dkn1997/1997dkn.htm |archive-date=1 July 2008 |title=DINAKARAN CINEMA AWARD – 1997 |access-date=2 February 2014 |publisher=dinakaran.com}}</ref>

* 1997&nbsp;– Cinema Fans' Association Best Actor Award – ''Suryavamsam''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/24-07-98/sarath.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622010116/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/24-07-98/sarath.htm |archive-date=22 June 2008 |title=Awards For Sarath Kumar & Meena |access-date=27 December 2014 |publisher=dinakaran.com}}</ref>

* 2005&nbsp;– Sivaji Ganesan Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/8779.html |title=Bharat Cine Awards (MGR Sivaji Awards) |date=2 January 2006 |access-date=2 February 2014 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>

* 2006&nbsp;– MGR&nbsp;– Sivaji Awards – ''[[Thalaimagan]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/11263.html |title=MGR Sivaji Awards&nbsp;– A Star Studded Event |date=2 January 2007 |access-date=2 February 2014 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>

* 2009&nbsp;– [[Asianet Film Awards#Honour Special Jury Award|Asianet Film Awards Special Jury Award]] – ''Pazhassi Raja''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/04/stories/2010010450860200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106052709/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/04/stories/2010010450860200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 January 2010 |title='Pazhassi Raja' selected as best film |date=4 January 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2 February 2014}}</ref>

* 2009&nbsp;– Sathyan Memorial Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor – ''Pazhassi Raja''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/13/stories/2010011352670300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118093040/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/13/stories/2010011352670300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 January 2010 |title=Sathyan memorial film awards announced |date=13 January 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2 February 2014}}</ref>

* 2009&nbsp;– Jai Hind Patriotic Pride Award – ''Pazhassi Raja''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/jai-hind-film-awards-announced/article524443.ece |title=Jai Hind film awards announced |date=20 July 2010 |access-date=2 February 2014 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

* 2009&nbsp;– Mathrubhumi Amrita Special Jury Award – ''Pazhassi Raja''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amritatv.com/mafa/award.html |title=MATHRUBHUMI AMRITA FILM AWARDS, 2010 |access-date=2 February 2014 |publisher=amritatv.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216042002/http://www.amritatv.com/mafa/award.html |archive-date=16 December 2012}}</ref>

* 2011&nbsp;– [[1st South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor]] – ''[[Muni 2: Kanchana]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://siima.in/winners.php |title=SIIMA AWARDS: 2011 WINNERS |access-date=2 February 2014 |publisher=siima.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223054946/http://www.siima.in/winners.php |archive-date=23 February 2014}}</ref>

* 2011&nbsp;– [[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor]] – ''Muni 2: Kanchana''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/82978.html |title=6th Annual Vijay Awards: Kamal, ARR & top celebs grace the occasion |date=18 June 2012 |access-date=2 February 2014 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>

* 2013&nbsp;– Rainbow Ambassador Award<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chennaidost.com/chennai-rainbow-film-festival/awards/ |title=Awards Chennai Dost |access-date=2 February 2014 |publisher=chennaidost.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220050723/http://chennaidost.com/chennai-rainbow-film-festival/awards/ |archive-date=20 February 2014}}</ref>

* 2013&nbsp;– Norway Tamil Film Festival Icon of Tamil Cinema Award<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntff.no/news/Norway%20Tamil%20Film%20Festival |title=Norway Tamil Film Festival&nbsp;– Tamilar Awards for the year 2013 |date=2 May 2013 |access-date=21 November 2016 |publisher=ntff.no}}</ref>

* 2016&nbsp;– Incisive Charisma award by WE Magazine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twicsy.com/ |title=Twicsy &#124; The world's largest social media marketing resource |access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref>

* 2019&nbsp;– [[SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu]] for ''[[Naa Peru Surya, Naa Illu India]]''

{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestActor}}

{{SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 2011–2016]]