# Nellai Siva

Sivanathan Shanmugavelan Ramamoorthy (16 January 1952 – 11 May 2021), better known by his stage name Nellai Siva, was an Indian comedian and actor, who predominantly worked in Tamil cinema. He worked mostly in comedy scenes. His first film was Aan Paavam released in 1985. He appeared in popular movies like Mahaprabhu, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Kannum Kannum. His way of speaking in the movies is completely of Nellai slang, which shows him unique to other supporting actors. He has acted in over 500 films in his career.

## Early life

Nellai Siva was born on 16 January 1952, in Veppilankulam, a small village in Nellai district. He was a fan of Sivaji Ganesan and came to Chennai to make a break in films. He met and became friends with Mansoor Ali Khan and Bonda Mani, who were also upcoming actors at the time. After struggling for over a decade, he met K. Bhagyaraj and participated in a few series on Chennai Television, gaining popularity, and whom he credits with "making him successful in cinema". He also started his film career by acting alongside then-famous actor Nagesh, who admired his Tirunelveli slang on set and encouraged him to use it as a defining factor in his comedy.

## Film career

In 1985, he debuted in the movie Aan Paavam directed by Pandiarajan. Later, he acted in minor roles. In the late 1990s, he started his career as a supporting comedian. He starred in the film Vetri Kodi Kattu as a tea shop owner. After this movie, he slowly progressed by acting in big movies like Saamy, Anbe Sivam, Attagasam,Thirupaachi, Kireedam and much more. He also acted along with Vadivelu and Vivek in films during 2000s. He is notable for his comedian roles along with actor Vadivelu whose movies became very popular.

## Television career

In 2018-2021, he acted in Tamil television serials in Vijay TV such as Pandiyan Stores. His role as 'Kumaresan Mama' in Pandian Stores was a notable one. He was also a part of Mama Mapillai. On the 11 May 2021, he died in Chennai due to a heart attack.

## Filmography

This is a partial filmography.
Partial list of film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Aan Paavam | Villager | |
| 1993 | Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan | | |
| 1994 | En Aasai Machan | | |
| 1994 | Seevalaperi Pandi | | |
| 1994 | Ravanan | Punnakku | |
| 1995 | Gandhi Pirantha Mann | | |
| 1995 | Sindhu Bath | | |
| 1996 | Mahaprabhu | Local politician | |
| 1996 | Aruva Velu | Police officer | |
| 1996 | Aavathum Pennale Azhivathum Pennale | Sandana Karuppan | |
| 1996 | Tata Birla | Police head constable | |
| 1996 | Vaazhga Jananayagam | | |
| 1998 | Kannathal | | |
| 1999 | Unnai Thedi | | |
| 1999 | Suyamvaram | hostler | |
| 1999 | Unnaruge Naan Irundhal | | |
| 1999 | Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham | | |
| 2000 | Kannan Varuvaan | | |
| 2000 | Vetri Kodi Kattu | Tea shop owner | |
| 2000 | Unnai Kann Theduthey | | |
| 2002 | Red | Madurai resident | |
| 2002 | H2O | Chennoor villager | Kannada-Tamil bilingual film |
| 2002 | Ivan | | |
| 2002 | Run | Politician | |
| 2003 | Anbe Sivam | | |
| 2003 | Saamy | Perumal Pichai's supporter | |
| 2003 | Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu | | |
| 2003 | Winner | Astrologer | |
| 2003 | Anjaneya | | |
| 2003 | Thirumalai | Thirumalai's friend | |
| 2003 | Sindhamal Sitharamal | | |
| 2004 | Madhurey | | |
| 2004 | Attagasam | Samuthirakani Henchmen | |
| 2005 | Thirupaachi | Villager | |
| 2005 | Anbe Aaruyire | Traffic Police Officer | |
| 2005 | Oru Naal Oru Kanavu | | |
| 2005 | Padhavi Paduthum Paadu | | |
| 2005 | Vetrivel Sakthivel | | |
| 2006 | Parijatham | | |
| 2006 | Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei | Poet | |
| 2006 | Vattaram | | |
| 2006 | Ilakkanam | House broker | |
| 2007 | Manikanda | | |
| 2007 | Thirutham | Head constable | |
| 2007 | Oram Po | Annachi | |
| 2007 | Ennai Paar Yogam Varum | Head constable | |
| 2007 | En Uyirinum Melana | | |
| 2007 | Kireedam | Auto driver | |
| 2007 | Nam Naadu | Political member | |
| 2008 | Vambu Sandai | | |
| 2008 | Chakkara Viyugam | Police officer | |
| 2008 | Silandhi | | |
| 2008 | Malarinum Melliya | | |
| 2008 | Arai En 305-il Kadavul | Tea shop owner | |
| 2008 | Sutta Pazham | | |
| 2008 | Thithikkum Ilamai | Paranthaman | |
| 2008 | Iyakkam | | |
| 2008 | Kannum Kannum | Sudalai | |
| 2008 | Maanavan Ninaithal | Courier office manager | |
| 2008 | Azhaipithazh | | |
| 2008 | Madurai Ponnu Chennai Paiyan | Maths teacher | |
| 2008 | Velvi | Police constable | |
| 2009 | Padikkathavan | Kothandam | |
| 2009 | Thoranai | | |
| 2009 | Kudiyarasu | | |
| 2009 | Madhavi | Man on bike | |
| 2009 | Pinju Manasu | Annachi | |
| 2009 | Aiymbulan | | |
| 2009 | Kanthaswamy | Police constable | |
| 2009 | Madurai To Theni | | |
| 2009 | Mathiya Chennai | | |
| 2009 | Vedappan | Annachi | |
| 2010 | Thamizh Padam | Minister | |
| 2010 | Ambasamudram Ambani | Head Constable | |
| 2010 | Azhagaana Ponnuthan | | |
| 2010 | Kattradhu Kalavu | | |
| 2010 | Pa. Ra. Palanisamy | | |
| 2010 | Pournami Nagam | | |
| 2010 | Neeyum Naanum | Nellai | |
| 2010 | Mudhal Kadhal Mazhai | | |
| 2011 | Siruthai | Doctor | |
| 2011 | Minsaram | Thooyavan | |
| 2012 | Vachathi | | |
| 2012 | Kazhugu | Police Officer | |
| 2012 | Saguni | Policeman | |
| 2013 | Puthagam | Traffic police | |
| 2013 | Thirumathi Thamizh | | |
| 2013 | Pattathu Yaanai | Constable | |
| 2013 | Yaaruda Mahesh | | |
| 2013 | Kolagalam | | |
| 2014 | Sooran | | |
| 2014 | Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani | Police inspector | |
| 2014 | Azhagiya Pandipuram | | |
| 2015 | Savaale Samaali | | |
| 2015 | Vindhai | | |
| 2015 | Eli | | |
| 2015 | Papanasam | | |
| 2015 | Thunai Mudhalvar | | |
| 2015 | Sakalakala Vallavan | | |
| 2015 | Viraivil Isai | | |
| 2015 | Kalai Vendhan | | |
| 2015 | Thiruttu VCD | Traffic Police Inspector | |
| 2016 | Miruthan | Gurumoorthy's henchman | |
| 2016 | Bathiladi | | |
| 2016 | Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan | | |
| 2016 | Jithan 2 | Vijayakumar | |
| 2016 | Thagadu | Park officer | |
| 2016 | Ner Mugam | | |
| 2016 | Yokkiyan Vaaran | | |
| 2017 | Unnai Thottu Kolla Vaa | | |
| 2017 | Virudhachalam | | |
| 2017 | Aarambame Attagasam | | |
| 2017 | Karanam | | |
| 2017 | Namma Kadha | | |
| 2018 | Solli Vidava | Traffic police officer | |
| 2018 | Padithavudan Kilithu Vidavum | | |
| 2018 | Seemathurai | Police officer | |
| 2019 | Mudivilla Punnagai | | |
| 2019 | Kazhugu 2 | Head Constable | |
| 2019 | Udhay | | |
| 2019 | Impathu Roova | | |
| 2019 | Manguni Pandiyargal | | |
| 2019 | Peai Vaala Pudicha Kathai | | |
| 2019 | Arandavanukku Irundathellam Pei | | |
| 2020 | En Sangathu Aala Adichavan Evanda | | |
| 2020 | Pachai Vilakku | | |
| 2020 | Sollunganne Sollunga | | |
| 2021 | Pei Irukka Bayamen | | |
| 2021 | Pazhagiya Naatkal | | |
| 2021 | Paramapadham Vilayattu | | |
| 2021 | Naruvi | | |
| 2023 | Eppodhum Ava Nenaipu | | Posthumous release |
| 2023 | Uruchidhai | | Posthumous release |
| 2023 | Peikku Kalyanam | | Posthumous release |
| 2025 | Madha Gaja Raja | Politician | Posthumous release |