Vadivelu

Vadivelu (born October 10, 1960) is a Tamil film actor and playback singer. Post-2000, he has dominated Tamil films as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. He is renowned for his slapstick comedies.

Early life and career

Born in the southern city of Madurai, Vadivelu is nicknamed Vaigai Puyal (the Vaigai storm, after the river Vaigai, which flows through the city; Puyal could be symbolic of his ability to 'bring down anything like a storm'). Starting as a sidekick to the famed Goundamani-Senthil comedy duo, he rose to prominence after his role in Kadhalan. His Madurai Tamil accent (Tamil spoken in Madurai, a district in Tamil Nadu) is usually a perfect foil for his roles in Tamil movies with a village background or a simpleton in a city.

In most movies, Vadivelu plays a simpleton with good intentions but lands in trouble because of circumstances or eccentricities of the people he comes across. These roles involve heavy use of slapstick and puns, which has led him to being typecast. His comedy sequences typically end with him getting soundly trashed and a closing one-liner from him bemoaning his situation or antagonists. "Aaha oru guruppa thaaanya alayaraangaya" (this roughly translates to: These people seem to roam around in groups to pick on him), "vanduttangayya, vandutanngya" (In Tamil this announces the arrival of his soon-to-be tormentors).

His part in movies like Friends, Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu and Winner and Chandramukhi are typical of his performances that have brought him laurels and accolades from the Tamil movie-goer. Apart from acting, he has also lent his voice to songs in his movies. Some of his popular songs are "Ettana Irundha", "Orendu Onne" and "Kundakka Mandakka".

Cashing in on his popularity, he starred in the lead role of the historical comedy spoof, Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi. The movie was declared a blockbuster and was widely acclaimed for its 'clean' comedy. The movie features Vadivelu in a dual role, playing twin brothers. As can be expected in such plots, one of them is a laidback, cowardly king and the other is his brother, who grows up away from the palace into a well-informed and brave rebel, only to exchange places later. His next venture as lead star was in the movie Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan which flopped in the box-office.

His latest comedy flick from the movie "Marudhamalai", has acquired him laurels for his excellent hilarious play. The phrases from this movie are very famous among his fans and people in Tamil Nadu. To name a few, "Naan Appadiye Shock Ayitten!!" (I got completely shocked) and his butler English phrases like "Chut up youvar blady mouthu and releasemm immediaat" (Shut your bloody mouth and release him immediately), adds another feather to his hat. His funny body language and the comical gestures are his big assets.

He is also a very good singer who often renders traditional Tamil village singing and dappan koothu. He is very famous for his songs "Ettana Eruntha", "Oonam Oonam" (a song that inspires the physically challenged) and the hilarious "Alwa Kudukuran."

Controversy

2008 House Attack

On September 21, 2008, Vadivelu's residence, located in the Saligramam neighbourhood in Chennai, was pelted with stones by a gang, leaving several windows and furniture smashed and damaged. The actor had taken refuge in a room in his home and was safe.^[1]

Vadivelu is said to have suspected Vijayakanth because of a recent controversy that broke out between the two. Vadivelu had previously filed a case against Vijayakanth for assault and the final court hearing will occur on Monday, September 22, 2008. The attack, according to sources may have occurred in order to prevent Vadivelu from attending the court hearing.

Currently Vadivelu has filed another case on Vijayakanth for attempt of murder and investigations are taking place. Vadivelu has also mentioned his keen interest on competing against Vijayakanth in the next assembly elections and "teaching him a lesson." In response, actor Vijayakanth told a press meet on September 22 that Vadivelu's allegations are just based on the influence of people.^[2] The attackers had left after uttering threat messages that they would attack again if he continues to oppose "the future Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu" (most probably referring to Vijayakanth even though it is unpredictable).

Recent filmography

Famous characters of Vadivelu

• Kaipulla (Film :Winner)
• Encounter EkkamParram (Film:Marudhamalai)
• Body Suda (Film:Pokkiri)
• Iyyachami (Film:Sachein)
• Bullet Pandi (Film:Kovil)
• Alert Arumugam (Flim: Vedigundu Murugesan)
• Theepori Thirumugam (Film:Englishkaran)
• Soona Paana (Film:Kannathaal)
• Naai Sekar (Film:Thalainagaram)
• Vandu Murugan (Film:Ellam Avan Seyal)
• Veerabahu (Film:Giri)
• Kattabomman (Film:Vaseegara)
• Steve Waugh (Film:Manathai thirudi vittai)
• Snake Babu (Film:Arya)
• Setup Chellappa (Flim: Ennamma Kannu)
• Bannerjee (aadhavan)

References

1. ^ Vadivelu's house attacked
2. ^ http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/sep-08-04/vijayakanth-22-09-08.html

External links

• Vadivelu at the Internet Movie Database