Vadivelu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vadivelu
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Vadivelu in 2016
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Kumaravadivel Natarajan
12 September 1960 Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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| Other names | Vaigai Puyal |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
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Full list |
| Honours | Kalaimamani (2005) |
Kumaravadivel Natarajan (born 12 September 1960) known professionally as Vadivelu, is an Indian actor, comedian and occasional playback singer, having acted mainly in Tamil cinema. He has at least 290 credits to his name. He was a recipient of several awards including two Filmfare Award South and six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
He was launched in 1988, in T. Rajendar's En Thangai Kalyani at the career peak of the Goundamani-Senthil duo. His popularity led to his media-coined nickname, Vaigai Puyal, referring to the river that flows through his hometown Madurai.
Vadivelu has received awards in the Best Comedian category for his performances in Kaalam Maari Pochu (1996), Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000), Thavasi (2001), Chandramukhi (2005), Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006), Pokkiri (2007), Marudhamalai (2007) and Kathavarayan (2008).
His first as a lead actor, Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi (2006), also achieved commercial and critical success. His comedic portrayals have been critiqued as using the persona of a misunderstood, mistreated Subaltern rogue, often subject to on-screen violence and ridicule in the style of slapstick comedy.
Images and videography of Vadivelu's expressions found a second life despite the corresponding dormancy in his career during the 2010s in Indian Internet subcultures. In 2017, The News Minute reported, "Vadivelu's career is not what it used to be but Tamil Nadu still turns to him for a laugh or to a summarize a situation in one line." In 2019, Vadivelu was featured in the sudden viral memes related to the hashtag Pray for Nesamani which was the most trending hashtag in India during the year.
Contents
Early life
Prior to his career, Vadivelu worked in his father's glass cutting business and continued it with his brothers after his father died. In his free time, he participated in local stage plays, usually in comedic roles.
Career
Early stage (1988–1997)
In 1988, he was launched through a small character in T. Rajendar's En Thangai Kalyani.
Vadivelu met Rajkiran on a train while on his way to Chennai to visit his bride-to-be. Rajkiran later recalled that he was so amused by their conversation during the train ride that he agreed to give Vadivelu a role in his upcoming film, En Rasavin Manasile (1991), directed by Kasthuri Raja. It was also the beginning of the Goundamani-Senthil-Vadivelu combination that produced a few skits in the early 90s.
Vijayakanth supported Vadivelu during his early career. He stated that he was substantial in casting him in 1992's Chinna Gounder.
In 1992, he played contrasting characters in both Kamal Haasan films. Vadivelu joined Goundamani and Charle in the comedy film Singaravelan. Then in the movie Thevar Magan, Vadivelu played a worker in patriarch Sivaji Ganesan's household.
Vadivelu's first solo came in director Shankar's Kadhalan (1994), in which he played the friend of Prabhu Deva's student character.
He made his singing debut with the song 'Ettanaa Irundha' from the film Ellame En Rasathan (1995).
They were also considered sidekicks for an older generation of heroes, which included Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth and young heroes in the making like such as Ajith Kumar, Vijay, Prabhu Deva which began rising in prominence, the script required fresh faces for the role of the comedian.
He won his first Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian in Kaalam Maari Pochu (1996).
The following year, Vadivelu played many films, but his work in Bharathi Kannamma (1997) was successful and its combination with actor Parthiban.
Superstardom in comedy (1998–2008)
Vadivelu is known to assist directors, with his own input being used during sets. The hallmark of his comedy was self-deprecation. Vadivelu's characters thought very highly of themselves – they were clownish versions of the gang leader. After a certain stage of success, he started to act as a solo comedian, supported by other minor comedians.
He starred in movies as Kaathala Kaathala (1998), Kannathal (1998), Viralukketha Veekkam (1999), Nesam Pudhusu (1999), Mudhalvan (1999), Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa (1999) and Paattali (1999).
As the 2000s began, Vadivelu became the undisputed "King of Comedy. He later went on to perform numerous roles, including Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela (2000), Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000), Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai (2000), Friends (2001), Middle Class Madhavan (2001), Manadhai Thirudivittai (2001), Thavasi (2001), Arasu (2003), Winner (2003), Giri (2004), Chandramukhi (2005), Thalai Nagaram (2006), Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006), Pokkiri (2007), Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar (2007), Aarya (2007), Marudhamalai (2007), Kathavarayan (2008) and Ellam Avan Seyal (2008).
Cashing in on his popularity, he starred in the lead role of the historical comedy in the film Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei. The movie was declared a blockbuster and was widely acclaimed for its 'clean' comedy. Vadivelu played in a dual role, playing twin brothers of a heartless but comical dictator king and a revolutionary. His next venture as the lead star was in the movie Indiralogathil Na Azhagappan (2008).
Decline (2014-2017)
As his career as a lead actor was waning following negatively received films such as Tenaliraman (2014) and Eli (2015), Vadivelu chose to return to portraying supporting roles. He portrayed a role alongside Vishal in Suraj's Kaththi Sandai (2016), before collaborating again with P. Vasu in the horror comedy Shivalinga (2017). Vadivelu then portrayed a supporting role alongside Vijay in Mersal (2017), with critics lauding his performance. A critic from The New Indian Express noted that it was a "brilliant comeback for Vadivelu" and that "his comedy is subtle, yet sufficient".
Temporary ban (2018-2020)
After agreeing to work with Chimbu Deven on Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi, a sequel to their successful film, he fell out with the director over an issue regarding his costume designer and subsequently refused to cooperate. The film's producers, S. Shankar and Subaskaran Allirajah, later filed a legal case over his unexplained absence. Likewise, R. K. and Stephen, the producers of Neeyum Naanum Naduvula Peyum and another untitled film, also opted to file complaints to the Nadigar Sangam against Vadivelu's lack of cooperation. The Tamil Film Producers Council issued a ban against casting Vadivelu in future films.
In a video sent to Sun TV, Vadivelu said that a few vested interests are trying to stop his growth in the film industry.
In 2019, Vadivelu was interviewed by Behindwoods, in which he criticized Chimbu Deven and Shankar for their creative differences. Producer T. Siva and director Naveen (who worked as an assistant to Chimbu Deven in Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi) spoke out against Vadivelu's comments.
In 2020, Vadivelu, who had recently joined Twitter, has not been taking up as many roles as he did earlier. Adding that he would soon take up a project, the comedian said, "You've also been asking why I'm not acting yet. Soon, I will make my entry in a grand manner".
Re-entry (2021–present)
In 2021, in a significant hint about his return to the Tamil cinema, Vadivelu said that a good thing will happen definitely.
On 28 August 2021, joining an over the phone interview with Puthiya Thalaimurai TV, Vadivelu confirmed that his ban was lifted and he has agreed for 5 films with Lyca Productions. First of which will commence shooting in September 2021, named Naai Sekhar.
Vadivelu confirmed the lifting of the ban, after 4 years, and returned to play the lead in Naai Sekar Returns; however the movie received a lukewarm response from critics.
His next release, in Mari Selvaraj's Maamannan (2023) sees him returning to the screens. Selvaraj's comments in the soundtrack launch event of the movie suggests that the movie revisits Vadivelu's previous hit performance in Thevar Magan as Esakki, a servant who loses his hand for acting on the whims of his adored landlord. This raised attention, and the revisiting of Mari Selvaraj's earlier condemning letter to Kamal Haasan, the scriptwriter-lead of the movie, for its unchecked glorification of oppressor caste lifestyles and privileges. This renewed controversy has placed Vadivelu in new light, especially given his filmography where he is heavy-handedly cast in the role of the mistreated and ridiculed Subaltern friend of the protagonist. In December 2023, he wins Best Actor award for Maamannan at Chennai International Film Festival.
Acclaim
Acting style
Vadivelu's roles involve heavy use of slapstick and puns, which has led him to be typecast. His comedy sequences typically end with him getting thrashed and a closing quip from him bemoaning his situation or antagonists. His popularity has been described as stemming from audiences identifying with his rustic appearance, accent, and body language.
Popularity
Vadivelu's dialogues served as an inspiration for memes in social media. Many meme creators use Vadivelu's dialogues for all ongoing situations in the world to express irony. His lines from certain films also influenced the titles for various Tamil films.
See also
In Spanish: Vadivelu para niños
