Ponnambalam
Born (1963-11-11) 11 November 1963[1]
Occupation(s)Actor, stuntman, director
Years active1987–present

Ponnambalam (born 11 November 1963) is an Indian actor and stuntman who has predominantly appeared in Tamil language films. He is best known for playing antagonistic roles in Indian films during the 1990s, notably appearing in films such as Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkalam (1999).[2] Later in his career, Ponnambalam also appeared in a few leading roles, while also taking up the mantle of director and producer.[3]

Career

Ponnambalam made his debut in cinema as a stuntman, and often appeared as an extra fighter in films, starring in minor roles in films including Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990). As a result of his proficiency as a stuntman, he later received the nickname "Spare Parts" Ponnambalam as no part of his body was ever injured or fractured.[4] He made a breakthrough as an actor following the success of P. Vasu's Walter Vetrivel (1993), and subsequently starred in several prominent Tamil films in the 1990s in villainous roles. Notable characters he portrayed including his work in Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkalam (1999). Ponnambalam also played the lead roles in film including the action drama Muthal Echarikkai (1999) and Ammaiyappa (2002), where he featured alongside actress Roshini. Reviewing the film, a critic noted "the movie does little other than prove conclusively that Ponnambalam is not cut out to be a hero", and that "though he picks a role that suits his build, emotes surprisingly well and fights aggressively, his looks make it difficult for us to accept him as a conventional leading man".[5]

Ponnambalam turned director and producer through the film, Pattaya Kelappu, starring Sriman in the lead role. Despite beginning in 2004, the film had a delayed release, while another directorial venture titled Thethi 32 was subsequently dropped.[6] Ponnambalam began a project titled Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai during 2010, starring newcomers. Despite beginning production, the film was shelved and eventually did not have a theatrical release.[7] His acting commitments thereafter also decreased, with notable appearances in the period including roles as a village chief in Thamizh Padam (2010) and characters in Venghai (2011) and the historical drama, Ponnar Shankar (2011).

In 2018, Ponnambalam took part in the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil hosted by Kamal Haasan. His stay in the house was controversial, as he was accused of making misogynistic comments against the female housemates, particularly against Yashika Aanand, Aishwarya Dutta, Mamathi Chari and Mumtaj and was nominated each week for the eviction from the second week of the show onwards.[8] He was evicted during the eighth week of the show during mid-August 2018.[9]

Personal life

Ponnambalam joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in February 2011, beginning a career in politics.[10] He campaigned for the AIADMK party in the Indian general election of 2014.[11] In June 2017, he left the AIADMK and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan. On joining the party, Ponnambalam stated that no other party seemed "concerned about the welfare of people" and hence, he decided to join the BJP.[12][13]

Filmography

Tamil films

YearFilmRoleNotes
1988KaliyugamPrisoner
1989Apoorva Sagodharargal
Vetri Vizha
1990Michael Madana Kama RajanAssassin
1991Vetri Padigal
Pudhu Manithan
Maanagara Kaaval
Moondrezhuthil En MoochirukkumRogue
1992Naangal
Thangarasu
BharathanGangadharan's right hand
Naalaya Seidhi
Kottai Vaasal
Senthamizh Paattu
EllaichamiBalayandi
Samundi
1993Walter VetrivelKabali
Maamiyar Veedu
Pettredutha Pillai
Vedan
Airport
Kizhakke Varum PaattuKanmani's brother
SenthoorapandiPonnambalam
1994Honest RajPandian
IndhuVeeraiyan
Thai Maaman
Periya MarudhuSenkodan
NattamaiPonnambalam
Nila
1995CoolieOld Union Leader
Marumagan
Gandhi Pirantha Mann
Periya KudumbamSundarapandi's first brother
MuthuKaali
ChandralekhaMustafa
Ilaya Ragam
Maaman MagalGovindhan
1996Indian
Namma Ooru RaasaKangeya
Senathipathi
1997Dharma ChakkaramK. Singamuthu
MannavaKabali
Aravindhan
ArunachalamPonnambalam
VallalUncle of Annam
Adimai Changili
Janakiraman
1998DharmaKhan
SimmarasiPolice inspector
Urimai PorMarthandan
Veeram Vilanja MannuPolice inspector
Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu
1999Thulladha Manamum Thullum
Chinna Durai
Ullathai Killathe
Rajasthan
Kummi Paattu
Kanave Kalaiyadhe
AmarkalamAasairaj
Kannupada Poguthaiya
Kanmani Unakkaga
Azhagarsamy
Mudhal EtcharikkaiPonnambalam
2000Thirunelveli
Mugavaree
Thai PoranthachuDharma
Sudhandhiram
VallarasuManikkam
Pennin Manathai Thottu
Maayi
Ilaiyavan
2001Looty
En Purushan Kuzhandhai MaadhiriSanthamoorthy
Sri Raja Rajeshwari
ThavasiKottai Perumal
Azhagana Naatkal
Kalakalappu
Poove Pen Poove
2002Vivaramana AaluSubramani / Thotta
Raajjiyam
Thamizh
BagavathiVibuthi Ganesan
Gummalam
Jaya
AmmaiyappaAmmaiyappan
2003RamachandraKabali
SaamyCorrupt Police Officer
Thennavan
DiwanKandhavel's second brother
Chokka Thangam
AnjaneyaVeerapan
2004JaiKaruppu
GhilliArivazhagan
Arul
Jana
Arasatchi
Giri
BoseSivamani
Aai
Arumugasamy
Super Da
Gomathi NayagamSevanthi's father
2005Devathaiyai Kanden
ChinnaChinna's friend
Mannin MaindhanGajapathy
Kannadi Pookal
Sevvel
2006Saravana
Suyetchai MLA
Kalinga
Perarasu
VaralaruDivya's brother
2007Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen
AaryaMeesai Perumal
Malaikottai
Ennai Paar Yogam Varum
Kaanal Neer
Thiru Ranga
VeerappuGowripet Shankar
2008Pattaya KelappuAnandakrishnanAlso director
Vaitheeswaran
Aayudham Seivom
EzhuthiyatharadiPandi
Theeyavan
Arai En 305-il Kadavul
2009TheeSaleem
Madurai Sambavam
Oru Kadhalan Oru KadhaliLingesu
2010Thamizh PadamNattamai
Thairiyam
Innisai Kavalan
Bayam Ariyaan
Guru Sishyan
Androru Naal
Puzhal
Aarvam
Nagaram Marupakkam'Thala Vetti' Thangarasu
Athisaya Manal Matha
2011Bhavani
Ponnar ShankarThalapathi
VenghaiAnburaja
Mudhal Idam
2012MaasiNandha
Mattuthavani
Ullam
Arakkonam
Virudhunagar Sandhippu
2013Keeripulla
2014Madhavanum Malarvizhiyum
Adhu Vera Idhu VeraPolice Inspector
2016Enakku Innoru Per IrukkuCameo appearance
Parandhu Sella VaaPonnambalam
201712-12-1950Police Inspector
2018Pei Irukka Illaya
Thulam
2019ComaliGaaja
Chennai 2 Bangkok
2022KaatteriPonnambalam

Telugu films

YearFilmRoleNotes
1992Gharana MoguduVeeraiyah
1993Repati Rowdy Kallaiah
Allari Priyudu
Mechanic Alludu
1994Mugguru Monagallu
1997HitlerRudraraju's brotherDubbed in Tamil as Tiger
1998Pavitra PremaM.L.A. Rayudu
2000Balaram Harishchandra Prasad's goon
Nuvvu Vastavani
Choosoddaam RandiTiger Dharma
2001Eduruleni Manishi
2002Chennakesava Reddy
2003Palnati Brahmanayudu
2004GuriSeed supplier
PedababuRudra Raju
Gudumba Shankar
Koduku
Suryam
2005Annavaram
2006Veerabhadra
Neeku Naaku
2007Andaala Amitabh Bachchan
2008Bujjigadu

Kannada films

YearFilmRole
1994Chinna
1997Lady Commissioner
2000O Nanna Nalle
2003KicchaJayaraj
AnnavruHenchman
2005Gunna
2007Masti
Police Story 2

Malayalam films

YearFilmRole
1988Moonnam MuraPeter
Orkkapurathu
1994KambolamKoppara
2000The Warrant
2006PrajapathiVanangamudi
2007Payum PuliPandian
2017Aadu 2Mayilvahanam

Hindi films

YearFilmRoleNotes
1996Ghatak: LethalFighter in the RingSpecial Appearance
RakshakDaniyaal
2000Krodh
2001NayakRungaaVoiced by Manoj Pandey

Stuntman

YearFilmLanguage
1987Shankar GuruTamil
Per Sollum PillaiTamil
VairakkiyamTamil
1988SathyaTamil
En Thangai KalyaniTamil
Puthiya VaanamTamil
Soora SamhaaramTamil
Thaimel AanaiTamil
Poovizhi RajaTamil
Pattikaatu ThambiTamil
Dhayam OnnuTamil
Katha NayaganTamil
KaliyugamTamil
1989Apoorva SagodharargalTamil
Padicha PullaTamil
Annanukku JaiTamil
Vettaiyaadu VilaiyaaduTamil
En ThangaiTamil
Vetri Mel VetriTamil
1990Avasara Police 100Tamil
SathriyanTamil
Urudhi MozhiTamil
Raja Kaiya VachaTamil
My Dear MarthandanTamil
1991Captain PrabhakaranTamil
Maanagara KaavalTamil
Moondrezhuthil En MoochirukkumTamil

Television

References

  1. "Tamil Movie Actor Ponnambalam - Nettv4u". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  2. "டோடோவின் ரஃப் நோட்டு — Tamil Kavithai -- தமிழ் கவிதைகள் - நூற்று கணக்கில்!". Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  3. "Tamil Celebrity Interview - IndiaGlitz.com". Archived from the original on 24 October 2004. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  4. "Cinema Veeran : Aishwarya Dhanush pays a glorious tribute to the stuntmen Of Tamil cinema". Firstpost. 25 June 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  5. "Bigg Boss Tamil: All You Need To Know About This Season's Contestants!".
  6. "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  7. "Ponnambalam - Tamil Movie News - Villain with a film - Ponnambalam | Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai | Chandranath - Behindwoods.com". www.behindwoods.com.
  8. "Bigg Boss 2: Honour, Culture and Slander". Sify. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018.
  9. Upadhyaya, Prakash (12 August 2018). "Bigg Boss Tamil elimination: Ponnambalam evicted; his ouster gets mixed response from netizens". International Business Times, India Edition.
  10. "அதிமுகவில் சேர்ந்த நடிகர் பொன்னம்பலம், பாடகர் சிலோன் மனோகர்". tamil.filmibeat.com. 2 February 2011.
  11. Kumar, S. Vijay (9 March 2014). "AIADMK to add star power to campaign" via www.thehindu.com.
  12. "Popular villain actor switches over to BJP from ADMK - Tamil News". IndiaGlitz.com. 14 June 2017.
  13. "Tamil Nadu: Actor Ponnambalam joins BJP's star bandwagon". Deccan Chronicle. 15 June 2017.
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