Y. G. Mahendran

Yechan Gunja Parthasarathy Mahendran
Yechan Gunja Parthasarathy Mahendran
Born	Yechan Gunja Parthasarathy Mahendran (Y G Mahendran); 9 January 1950 (age 74); Aminjikarai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Dramatist; Actor; Singer; Playwright;
Years active	1970 – present
Spouse(s)	Sudha Mahendra (m. 1975-present)
Children	Madhuvanti Arun ; Harshavardhan
Parent(s)	Y. G. Parthasarathy; Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy;
Relatives	Rajinikanth; Ravi Raghavendra; Latha Rajinikanth; Dhanush; Anirudh Ravichander; See Vyjayanthimala family

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Yechan Gunja Mahendran (born 9 January 1950) is an Indian dramatist, actor, singer, playwright and comedian from the state of Tamil Nadu. He has acted in a number of plays and films. He is the son of Y. G. Parthasarathy, one of the pioneers of modern Tamil drama and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, founder and dean of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools, and nephew of veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balaji. Mahendra is also the cousin of actress Vyjayanthimala^[1] and the co-brother of Rajinikanth and Mohanlal.

Early life and family[edit]

Y. G. Mahendran was born on 9 January 1950^[2]^[3] to Y. G. Parthasarathy and Y. G. Rajalakshmi. Y. G. P. founded the United Amateur Artists (UAA), one of the first drama companies in Madras city, in the year 1952.^[4] His drama company was a success and he emerged as one of the foremost dramatists of his era. Mahendra's mother Mrs. Rajalakshmi (also called Mrs. Y.G.P.) was the founder of the Padma Seshadri Group of Schools. Starting from modest beginnings in a thatched shed in the terrace of the Y.G.P. home in 1959 with a batch of eleven students as an act of social service for the members of the Nungambakkam Recreation Club the school has since emerged as one of the best schools in India.

Hailing from a family of stage-lovers, Mahendra soon developed a liking for drama from his early days. He played the part of comedian in school plays and earned acclaim. On completion of his schooling from Don Bosco Egmore, he studied Chemical Engineering at A. C. College of Technology, Univ. Madras, Guindy and MBA.^[5] During his college days, he was touted as a prospective film actor. He was in his early teens when he joined his father's drama troupe, the United Amateur Artists (UAA). This gave him the desired break. His first few plays were huge successes attracting audiences by thousands. Mahendra's name had become one of the prominent names in the city. Eventually, he had to choose between acting and his career and he chose the former.

Y.G. Mahendran's daughter Madhuvanti is married to actor Gemini Ganesan and actress Savitri's grandson, V. Arunkumar.

Career[edit]

In 1971, Mahendra was cast by veteran director K. Balachander in the latter's film Navagraham. The film was an average grosser. Mahendra was discovered to have a nasal accent which made him funny. He acted in a variety of roles in a number of movies – particularly as a dim witted fool of a cousin – generally eclipsing roles enjoyed by Cho Ramaswamy in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mahendra's career spans over four decades and involves more than 200 movies. He also acted in supporting roles with actors such as Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan and his brother-in-law, Rajinikanth. He acted with Rajinikanth in films such as Pokkiri Raja, Paayum Puli, Shri Raghavendra and Veera and with Kamal Hassan in movies such as Apoorva Raagangal, Neeya, Guru, etc.

Political Opinion[edit]

Speech on CAA[edit]

Mahendra made reference to the ongoing Citizenship Amendment Act protests across India and the involvement of the student community and said the students go to the protests because they can get a leave on the day and they can cause ruckus and to check out the women standing in the crowd. His statements were criticized by different sections on social media.^[6] Singer Chinmayi said, "Comments from men such as Y. G. Mahendran has to be brushed aside, because it's a waste of time speaking about them.^[7]^[8]

Business[edit]

Y.Gee, thanks to his brother in law, also began a parallel career in industrial ceramics and had a flourishing company established in 1982 – by which period his acting career thinned down and he became more preoccupied with his business.

Y.Gee sold his ceramics business in 2001 for a whopping sum and has made a comeback into production and acting.

Partial filmography[edit]

Films[edit]

Year	Film	Language	Role
1970	Navagraham	Tamil	Anumanthu
1971	Nootrukku Nooru	Tamil
1973	Gauravam	Tamil
1974	Dheerga Sumangali	Tamil
1974	Dikkatra Parvathi	Tamil
1975	Uravukku Kayi Koduppam	Tamil
1975	Anbe Aaruyire	Tamil
1976	Idhaya Malar	Tamil
1976	Manmadha Leelai	Tamil
1977	Ilaya Thalaimurai	Tamil	Balbeer Singh
1978	Shankar Salim Simon	Tamil
1979	Adukku Malli	Tamil
1979	Annai Oru Aalayam	Tamil
1980	Guru	Tamil
1980	Ilayarajavin Rasigai	Tamil
1980	Murattu Kalai	Tamil
1981	Raja Paarvai	Tamil
1981	Ellam Inbamayyam	Tamil
1981	Savaal	Tamil	Johny
1981	Kazhugu	Tamil
1982	Moondram Pirai	Tamil
1982	Simla Special	Tamil
1982	Thyagi	Tamil
1982	Rani Theni	Tamil
1982	Paritchaikku Neramaachu	Tamil
1982	Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam	Tamil
1982	Vaa Kanna Vaa	Tamil
1982	Sagalakala Vallavan	Tamil
1982	Sangili	Tamil
1982	Adhisaya Piravigal	Tamil
1983	Sattam	Tamil	M. L. Anandharaman
1983	Oomakkuyil	Malayalam
1983	Miruthanga Chakravarthi	Tamil
1983	Vellai Roja	Tamil
1983	Sivappu Sooriyan	Tamil
1983	Uruvangal Maralam	Tamil
1983	Sumangali	Tamil
1983	Neethibathi	Tamil
1984	Vetri	Tamil
1984	Tharaasu	Tamil
1984	Vaazhkai	Tamil
1984	Sattathai Thiruthangal	Tamil
1984	Kai Kodukkum Kai	Tamil
1984	Neengal Kettavai	Tamil
1984	Anbulla Rajinikanth	Tamil
1984	Nallavanuku Nallavan	Tamil
1984	Vamsa Vilakku	Tamil
1984	Vai Pandal	Tamil
1984	Kudumbam	Tamil
1985	Nalla Thambi	Tamil
1985	Pudhu Yugam	Tamil
1985	Vellai Manasu	Tamil
1985	Padikkadha Pannaiyar	Tamil
1985	Poi Mugangal	Tamil
1985	Viswanathan Velai Venum	Tamil
1985	Naan Sigappu Manithan	Tamil
1985	Needhiyin Nizhal	Tamil
1985	Aduthathu Albert	Tamil
1985	Uyarndha Ullam	Tamil
1985	Sri Raghavendrar	Tamil
1986	Annai En Dheivam	Tamil
1986	Marumagal	Tamil
1986	Vasantha Raagam	Tamil
1986	Annai En Deivam	Tamil	Appu
1986	Dharma Devathai	Tamil
1987	America Abbayi	Telugu
1987	Anbulla Appa	Tamil
1987	Anand	Tamil
1987	Kathai Kathayam Karanamam	Tamil
1988	Veguchukka Pagatichukka	Kannada
1990	Lady Tarzan	Hindi
1991	Thambikku Oru Pattu	Tamil
1993	Karpagam Vanthachu	Tamil	Sarathi
1993	Muqabla	Hindi	Police Constable Saajan
1994	Sakthivel	Tamil
1994	Veera	Tamil
1995	En Pondatti Nallava	Tamil
1995	Chinna Vathiyar	Tamil
1996	Minor Mappillai	Tamil	Movie director
2000	Hey Ram	Tamil
2006	Jambhavan	Tamil
2006	Kusthi	Tamil	Vayram
2007	Sringaram	Tamil
2008	Pandhayam	Tamil
2008	Seval	Tamil
2009	Indira Vizha	Tamil
2009	Kanthaswamy	Tamil
2010	Pen Singam	Tamil
2010	Anandhapurathu Veedu	Tamil
2011	Ilaignan	Tamil
2011	Yudham Sei	Tamil	Doctor prushoththaman
2011	Doubles	Malayalam	Piyari sayip
2011	Deiva Thirumagal	Tamil	Ragunathan
2011	Venghai	Tamil
2012	Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal	Tamil
2012	Vachathi	Tamil
2013	Puthran	Tamil
2013	Irandam Ulagam	Tamil
2013	Thalaivaa	Tamil	Lawyer Radhakrishnan
2014	Vallinam	Tamil	Venkatachalam
2014	Ramanujan	English/Tamil	S. Narayana Iyer
2014	Irukku Aana Illai	Tamil	Dr. Mathrubootham
2014	Megha	Tamil
2014	Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe	Tamil	Subramaniyam
2015	Oru Kilo Taxi	Tamil Short Film	Swami
2015	9 Thirudargal	Tamil
2015	Yatchan	Tamil
2016	Kanithan	Tamil
2016	Aagam	Tamil	Acharya
2016	Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum	Tamil
2016	Saithan	Tamil	Dinesh's boss
2017	Bairavaa	Tamil	Bank manager Venkatesan
2017	Saaya	Tamil
2017	Kadamban	Tamil
2017	Inayathalam	Tamil	I.G Sabapathy
2017	Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan	Tamil	"Current" Murugan
2017	Velaikkaran	Tamil	Narayanan
2018	Aaruthra	Tamil
2019	Petta	Tamil	College principal
2019	Goko Mako	Tamil	Natchatrian
2020	Indha Nilai Maarum	Tamil
2020	Oh Andha Naatkal	Tamil	GKB
2020	Shyamaragam	Malayalam	Ramanaadha Bhagavathar
2021	Rudra Thandavam	Tamil

Television[edit]

Year	Title	Role
	Thuppariyum sambu	Sambu
2001-2002	Vazhkai
2003-2004	Sahaana	JKB
2002-2006	Rudhraveenai	"Sakthi Upasakar" Narasimma Barathi
2004–2005	Chidambara Rahasiyam	Dr. Thillairajan
2007	Thavam
2012–2017	Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval	Namboothiri, Mathura's uncle
2012	Sherlock Maami
2013	Vasool Chakravarthy
2013	Mr. Brain
2015	Enga Veettu Penn
2020	Roja	Suresh Chakravarthy
2020–Present	Anbe Vaa	Colonel Ram

Web series[edit]

Year	Title	Role	Platform	Notes
2019	Karoline Kamakshi	Chidhambharam	ZEE5	^[9]^[10]
2021	Navarasa	Krishna Iyer	Netflix	episode: Summer of '92

As director[edit]

Y.G. Mahendra also has directed a Tamil film named Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam in the year 1987 and is currently planning two more assignments as director.

Stage plays[edit]

Venkata 3
Vietnam Veedu
Sudesi Iyer
Thanthramukhi
Kaadhalikka Neramundu
Antha 7 Aatkal
Ragasiyam Parama Ragasiyam
Irandam Ragasiyam
Soppana Vazhvil
Kasedhan Kadavulada

Dubbing artist Y.G. Mahendran dubbed for Kamal Haasan for Iru Nilavugal, the Tamil dubbed version of his Telugu film Sommokadidi Sokokadidi by imitating his voice.

Mahendran also dubbed for Telugu actor Babu Mohan for Idhuthaanda Police, Tamil dubbed version of Telugu film Ankusam.

Y. G. Mahendra also dubbed for Timon in the 1994's famous cartoon movie: The Lion King.

Year	Film	Actor	Notes
1980	Iru Nilavugal	Kamal Haasan
1990	Kartavyam	Babu Mohan
1990	Idhuthanda Police	Babu Mohan
1992	Pokkiri Ponnu	Babu Mohan
1994	The Lion King		For the character Timon
1999	Devi	Babu Mohan

References[edit]

↑ "You and Sivaji made a great jodi". The Hindu. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
↑ Profile of Y. Gee. Mahendra at Nilacharal.com
↑ A short autobiography of Y Gee M on his official website Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
↑ History of UAA Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
↑ His educational qualifications at ygeem.com^{[permanent dead link]}
↑ "Actor's comments on CAA protests invites ire". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
↑ Subramanian, Anupama (25 December 2019). "Y Gee Mahendran trolled for comments on CAA protests". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
↑ "மாணவர்கள் போராட்டம் குறித்து ஒய்.ஜி. மகேந்திரன் கருத்து! | Actor YG Mahendran Controversial speech about Students protest | News7 Tamil". ns7.tv (in தமிழ்). Retrieved 10 August 2020.
↑ "Karoline Kamakshi review: Meena's web series debut is a forgettable action-comedy". Karoline Kamakshi review: Meena’s web series debut is a forgettable action-comedy. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
↑ "Karoline Kamakshi Review: Good cop, bad cop in a very bad show". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 31 December 2020.

External links[edit]

[1] "You and Sivaji made a great jodi". The Hindu. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2010.

[2] Profile of Y. Gee. Mahendra at Nilacharal.com

[3] A short autobiography of Y Gee M on his official website Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine

[4] History of UAA Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine

[5] His educational qualifications at ygeem.com^{[permanent dead link]}

[6] "Actor's comments on CAA protests invites ire". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 August 2020.

[7] Subramanian, Anupama (25 December 2019). "Y Gee Mahendran trolled for comments on CAA protests". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 10 August 2020.

[8] "மாணவர்கள் போராட்டம் குறித்து ஒய்.ஜி. மகேந்திரன் கருத்து! | Actor YG Mahendran Controversial speech about Students protest | News7 Tamil". ns7.tv (in தமிழ்). Retrieved 10 August 2020.

[9] "Karoline Kamakshi review: Meena's web series debut is a forgettable action-comedy". Karoline Kamakshi review: Meena’s web series debut is a forgettable action-comedy. Retrieved 31 December 2020.

[10] "Karoline Kamakshi Review: Good cop, bad cop in a very bad show". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 31 December 2020.

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