# Anandaraj

Anandaraj (born 10 November 1958) is an Indian actor, He has acted in villain roles in several Tamil films and has appeared in over a three hundred films in different languages including Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.

## Career

Anandaraj was born and brought up in Pondicherry. His father was a civil surgeon. Mother Was Famous (50S, 60S) Telugu Singer Swarnalatha Alias Mahalakshmi. After schooling, he wanted his son to be a police officer, but Anandaraj wanted to try something different as he was fascinated with films. His family supported his dreams. He joined in M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute, Chennai for a course. Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar was his classmate.
Anandaraj was under the impression that offers would come his way, but later he had to struggle for an opportunity and finally started off with the 1988 film Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam, starring Prabhu and Sivakumar, and later En Thangachi Padichava, directed by P. Vasu, gave him the much-needed break in all the four south Indian languages. He did Suresh Krissna’s Raja Kaiya Vacha (1990) with Prabhu, in which he essayed a positive role. However, he appeared with Vijayakanth and starred in several films together.
On playing the hero roles, Anand Raj mentioned: "When one gets popular being a villain, people around you always push you to take the next step and it was one of those phases when I took up offers to play the lead role". He went on to play lead roles in the films Palaivana Paravaigal, Kaaval Nilayam, Thambi Oorukku Puthusu, Government Mappillai, Pokkiri Thambi, Kizhakku Veluthathchu, David Uncle, En Rajangam, Puthiya Aatchi and My India. Even though directors offered him good scripts, the films just didn't work well at the box office. The huge popularity that Anandaraj gained during the late eighties elevated him to the status of hero and he and R. Sarathkumar together starred in a few action films. While Sarathkumar hit stardom, Anandaraj who was billed above him in their films together did not sustain his position and went back to playing small roles.
He has acted as a villain alongside most of the top actors, like Balakrishna (Muddula Mavayya), Vijayakanth (Pulan Visaranai), Chiranjeevi (Gang Leader), Rajinikanth (Baashha), Mammootty (Makkal Aatchi), R. Sarathkumar (Suryavamsam), Arjun (Ezhumalai) and Vijay (Pokkiri).
Many years later, Anandaraj made a sudden switch to comedy in Mundasupatti directed by Ramkumar released in 2014 that had audiences falling off their seats and there had been no looking back since then. Anandaraj has become a hot favorite of young directors who write quirky characters for him which he performs with his signature style that has gained him a huge fan following in the younger generation of movie goers.
Director Prabhu Deva offered Anandaraj the lead in the role and asked him not to react to anything, even though a baddie is expected to give exaggerated expressions. Prabhu Deva wanted Anandaraj to sport a certain look, so he underwent intense training for a year and lost about 12 kilos and fulfilled Prabhu Deva's expectation to get signed for Action Jackson (2014). He played a don in the film and his look was completely different from the one he had tried in the south, as he spots a lizard tattoo on his head.
He joined Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara starrer Naanum Rowdydhaan (2015). Though Anandaraj doesn't play the main antagonist role. His other films include Maragadha Naanayam (2017) Katha Nayagan (2017), Sathya (2017) and Gulaebaghavali (2018). He's almost perfected the role of the comic villain. For the film Jackpot (2019), Anandaraj received Best comedian from Vikatan. He played a role in Bigil (2019) has expressed his disappointment over the filmmaker for the way he approached his character in the film in post production. He acted in Santhanam's films subsequently such as Biskoth (2020), Dikkiloona (2021) and 80s Buildup (2023).

## Personal life

Anandaraj was born in Puducherry. He is the second son in the family of eight. He is married and has a daughter, a son and a grandson

## Politics

Actor Anandraj is loyal to Jayalalitha and has joined AIADMK under her leadership. He supported BJP and stated that he will personally vote for the party in 2014. After Jayalalitha's death he quit ADMK. He later said Mudaliar community should vote for NOTA.

## Filmography
### Tamil films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1988 | Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam | Henchmen | |
| 1988 | Thaimel Aanai | Johny | |
| 1988 | Jeeva | Main Henchmen | |
| 1988 | En Thangachi Padichava | Gaja | |
| 1988 | Senthoora Poove | Udayappan | |
| 1988 | Paatti Sollai Thattathe | Autorickshaw driver | |
| 1988 | Kalicharan | Anandraj | |
| 1989 | Pillaikkaga | Nagadevan | |
| 1989 | Rajadhi Raja | Kangeyan | |
| 1989 | Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu | Maruthupandi | |
| 1990 | Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu | Joe | |
| 1990 | Pulan Visaranai | Dharma | |
| 1990 | Paattukku Naan Adimai | Vajervelu | |
| 1990 | Pudhu Padagan | Arumugam | Guest appearance |
| 1990 | Thangathin Thangam | Mariappan's Son | |
| 1990 | Kalyana Rasi | Periyathambi | |
| 1990 | Urudhi Mozhi | Johnny | |
| 1990 | Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga | Kumar | |
| 1990 | Periya Idathu Pillai | Anand | |
| 1990 | Velai Kidaichuduchu | Baasha | |
| 1990 | Palaivana Paravaigal | Machi | |
| 1990 | Vellaiya Thevan | Semmangkalai | |
| 1990 | Namma Ooru Poovatha | Rajappa | |
| 1990 | Raja Kaiya Vacha | Japan | |
| 1990 | Ethir Kaatru | Devaraj | |
| 1991 | Kaaval Nilayam | Raja | |
| 1991 | Maanagara Kaaval | Robin | |
| 1991 | Iravu Sooriyan | | |
| 1991 | Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum | Amirtharajah | |
| 1991 | Thambi Oorukku Pudhusu | | |
| 1992 | Government Mappillai | Sundarapandian | |
| 1992 | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | | |
| 1992 | Bharathan | Gangadharan | |
| 1992 | Pokkiri Thambi | Thambidurai | |
| 1992 | Kizhakku Velathachu | | |
| 1992 | Thaali Kattiya Raasa | | |
| 1992 | David Uncle | David | |
| 1993 | Kattalai | | |
| 1993 | Rajadurai | Mayandi | |
| 1994 | En Rajangam | Gopalakrishnan | |
| 1994 | Vandicholai Chinraasu | Santhanapandian | |
| 1994 | Jallikattu Kaalai | Loose Gounder | |
| 1994 | Magudikkaran | | |
| 1995 | Baashha | Indaran | |
| 1995 | Kattumarakaran | | |
| 1995 | Thottil Kuzhandhai | Rajarathnam | |
| 1995 | Puthiya Aatchi | Marappan | |
| 1995 | Nandhavana Theru | Rajasekhar | |
| 1995 | Thirumoorthy | Govindan | |
| 1995 | Thedi Vandha Raasa | | |
| 1995 | Mr. Madras | Thiruttani | |
| 1995 | Makkal Aatchi | Rangachari | |
| 1995 | Ragasiya Police | Azhagam Perumal | |
| 1995 | Maaman Magal | Paramasivam | |
| 1995 | Thondan | Ilavenil | |
| 1995 | Varraar Sandiyar | Maruthu | |
| 1996 | Aruva Velu | Alavanthar | |
| 1996 | Kizhakku Mugam | Nagaraj | |
| 1996 | Sengottai | Inspector Thangamani | Guest appearance |
| 1996 | Andha Naal | Father James | |
| 1996 | Manikkam | | |
| 1997 | Aravindhan | Ramanathan | |
| 1997 | My India | | |
| 1997 | Suryavamsam | Dharamalingam Gounder | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain Cinema Express Award for Best Villain |
| 1997 | Abhimanyu | | Guest appearance |
| 1997 | Adimai Changili | | |
| 1997 | Janakiraman | | |
| 1997 | Arasiyal | Vikram | Guest appearance |
| 1998 | Moovendhar | Velliangiri | |
| 1998 | Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar | Thief | |
| 1998 | Sandhippoma | | |
| 1998 | Kalyana Galatta | | |
| 1998 | Simmarasi | Maragatham | Dinakaran Cinema Award for Best Villain Actor |
| 1998 | Desiya Geetham | | |
| 1998 | Urimai Por | J. K. B. | |
| 1998 | Pudhumai Pithan | | Guest appearance |
| 1998 | Pooveli | Maha's uncle | |
| 1999 | Periyanna | | |
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Pachhamalayan | |
| 1999 | Oruvan | Peter Fernandez | |
| 1999 | Malabar Police | Varadappan | |
| 1999 | Kannupada Poguthaiya | Maniyaandar | |
| 1999 | Kanmani Unakkaga | Prathap | |
| 1999 | Unnaruge Naan Irundhal | Jamindar | |
| 1999 | Paattali | Rajarathinam | |
| 1999 | Time | Local Rogue | |
| 2000 | Vaanathaippola | Rajadurai | |
| 2000 | Vetri Kodi Kattu | Dubai Job Agency's Middleman | |
| 2000 | Krodham 2 | Yogaraj | |
| 2000 | Anbudan | | |
| 2000 | Vanna Thamizh Pattu | Rasappan | |
| 2000 | Independence Day | | |
| 2001 | Seerivarum Kaalai | Police Inspector | |
| 2001 | Narasimha | Thilagarnambi | |
| 2002 | Varushamellam Vasantham | Police Inspector | Guest Appearance |
| 2002 | Ezhumalai | Nagalingam's brother in law | |
| 2002 | Style | Marthandam | |
| 2003 | Aasai Aasaiyai | Commissioner Srinivas IPS | |
| 2003 | Kadhaludan | | Guest appearance |
| 2003 | Yes Madam | | |
| 2003 | Sena | Mastan Bhai | |
| 2003 | Diwan | Meenakshi's father | |
| 2003 | Vadakku Vaasal | Inspector Alex Pandian | |
| 2004 | Campus | | |
| 2004 | Engal Anna | Durairaj | |
| 2004 | Arasatchi | Advocate Brammanadham | |
| 2004 | Giri | Pasupathy, Pasupathy's father | |
| 2004 | Meesai Madhavan | Rani's father | |
| 2005 | Iyer IPS | Pasupathy | |
| 2005 | Kannadi Pookal | Sakthivel's Friend | |
| 2006 | Perarasu | DCP Kesavan Nair | |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Narasimha | |
| 2008 | Ashoka | Chandramohan | |
| 2008 | Vallamai Tharayo | Nandita's father | |
| 2008 | Nayagan | Gang leader | |
| 2009 | Villu | J.D | |
| 2010 | Kola Kolaya Mundhirika | Veerappan | |
| 2010 | Goa | Village Rowdy | |
| 2010 | Indrasena | | |
| 2010 | Agam Puram | Muthuraj | Guest appearance |
| 2011 | En Ullam Unnai Theduthey | | |
| 2014 | Mundasupatti | Zamindar Ekambaram | |
| 2015 | Pulan Visaranai 2 | John | |
| 2015 | Paayum Puli | Inspector Manikandan | |
| 2015 | Naanum Rowdydhaan | Pondicherry Don | |
| 2016 | Dhilluku Dhuddu | Kumar's father | |
| 2017 | Bruce Lee | Inspector Shanmugapandiyan | |
| 2017 | Maragadha Naanayam | 'Twinkle' Ramanathan | |
| 2017 | Katha Nayagan | Dubai Sheik | |
| 2017 | Sathya | Inspector Chowdhary | |
| 2018 | Gulaebaghavali | Munish's boss | |
| 2018 | Thaanaa Serndha Koottam | Gandhi Appa (Kuthaalingam) | |
| 2018 | Pakka | Nattamai | |
| 2018 | Iravukku Aayiram Kangal | Murugesan | |
| 2018 | Kalavani Mappillai | Thulasi's father | |
| 2018 | Evanukku Engeyo Matcham Irukku | Annachi | |
| 2018 | Johnny | Prakash | |
| 2018 | Silukkuvarupatti Singam | Share Auto Chandran | |
| 2019 | Ayogya | 'Bullet' Rajendran | |
| 2019 | Gurkha | Alex | |
| 2019 | Jackpot | Maanasthan / Inspector Maanasthi | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best comedian |
| 2019 | Bigil | Anand (Rock) | |
| 2020 | Biskoth | Narasimhan | |
| 2021 | Vanakkam Da Mappilei | Ramachandran | |
| 2021 | Dikkiloona | Arivu's Boss | |
| 2022 | Idiot | Raasu Gounde | |
| 2022 | Cobra | Laundry Man | |
| 2022 | Prince | Inspector Muthupandi | |
| 2022 | Naai Sekar Returns | Dass |
| 2023 | Vallavanukkum Vallavan | Inspector Poonthamalli | |
| 2023 | Rayar Parambarai | Gopal, Mortuary worker | |
| 2023 | 80s Buildup | Gopal | |
| 2023 | Conjuring Kannappan | Devil Armstrong | |
| 2024 | Vithaikkaaran | ‘Dollar’ Azhagu | |
| 2024 | Uyir Thamizhukku | Pazhakadai Ramachandran | |
| 2024 | Vasco Da Gama | Lakshana's father | |
| 2025 | Baby and Baby | | |
| TBA | Vaa Vaathiyaar † | | |
| TBA | Chennai City Gangsters † | | |
Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |

### Telugu films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata | Anasuya's husband | |
| 1989 | Muddula Mavayya | Gaja | |
| 1989 | Palnati Rudraiah | | |
| 1989 | Lankeswarudu | Ananth Raj | |
| 1989 | Ontari Poratam | Govinda Yadav | |
| 1989 | Two Town Rowdy | Rowdy | |
| 1990 | Prananiki Pranam | Bahadoor | |
| 1990 | Iddaru Iddare | Teja | |
| 1991 | Sathruvu | Satya Murthy | |
| 1991 | Gang Leader | Kanakambaram | |
| 1993 | Bava Bavamaridi | Bhoopati | |
| 1995 | Pedarayudu | Bhupathi | |
| 1996 | Ramudochadu | Gavaraju | |
| 1997 | Shubhakankshalu | Moses | |
| 1997 | Taraka Ramudu | Gajapati's brother-in-law | |
| 1998 | Suryavamsam | Singaraju Lingaraju | |
| 2002 | Seema Simham | Police Inspector | |
| 2002 | Bharatasimha Reddy | Devudayya's brother-in-law | |
| 2002 | Siva Rama Raju | Veeraju Varma | |
| 2002 | Chennakesava Reddy | Dhanunjaya Reddy | |
| 2003 | Raghavendra | Ankineedu | |
| 2003 | Inspector | Pandey | |
| 2003 | Avuna | | |
| 2003 | Tiger Harischandra Prasad | Killer Koteswar Rao | |
| 2005 | 786 Khaidi Premakatha | Harischandra Prasad | |
| 2009 | Adhineta | Mahendra Bhupati | |
| 2016 | Parvathipuram | | Dubbed in Telugu as Veera Khadgam (2023) |
| 2024 | Inti No. 13 | Gajanand | |

### Other language films

| Year | Film | Role | Language |
| 1994 | The City | Raja | Malayalam |
| 1994 | Jaana | Anand | Kannada |
| 1996 | Palegara | | Kannada |
| 1997 | Raaja | | Kannada |
| 2000 | Mahathma | | Kannada |
| 2000 | Papigala Lokadalli | | Kannada |
| 2000 | Krishnarjuna | | Kannada |
| 2000 | Independence Day | | Kannada |
| 2003 | Kiccha | Minister | Kannada |
| 2003 | Vijaya Dashami | | Kannada |
| 2004 | Sathyam | Commissioner Mambally Mukundan Menon | Malayalam |
| 2006 | Jayam | Bharathan | Malayalam |
| 2008 | Indra | | Kannada |
| 2009 | Machaa | | Kannada |
| 2010 | Meshtru | | Kannada |
| 2011 | Doubles | Pathan | Malayalam |
| 2012 | Swaranjali | | Kannada |
| 2014 | Action Jackson | Xavier Fonseca | Hindi |