# Janagaraj

Janagaraj is an Indian actor who has appeared in over 240 films predominantly in Tamil cinema as a comedian or in supporting roles. He also starred in few Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi films.

## Early life

Janagaraj was born to Vadivelu and Muthulakshmi in Chennai Tamil Nadu. He joined the Auditor General's Office as a Junior Division Clerk in 1976 and worked part-time as a theatre artist and a stage artist due to his desire to act and perform. He was friendly with Delhi Ganesh, another AGS employee who remains his closest friend to date.
Janagaraj joined Director Bharathiraja as his unofficial assistant. After seeing his talent during the shooting of Kizhake Pogum Rail, Bharathiraja gave him the chance to act as a Brahmin in the same movie. Later in Puthiya Vaarpugal, Bharathiraja gave Janagaraj another sensational character as a minor boy of the villain (G. Srinivasan). Janagaraj had acted with a trouser and baniyan for that movie.
Janagaraj found his break in 1980 in Bharathiraja's Nizhalgal and was among the most wanted comedians, having shared roles with major film stars like Sivakumar, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ramki, Sivaji Ganesan and with major film directors like Mani Ratnam, K. Balachander and Suresh Krishna.

## Film career
### Beginning

In 1978, he was introduced by director Bharathiraja in Kizhake Pogum Rail and he continued to give chance to him in his films Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979), Kaadhal Oviyam (1982) and Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985).
Janagaraj's career however spun to silver in the 1980s. Starting with Nizhalgal (1980), continuing in Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Palaivana Rojakkal (1986), Muthal Vasantham (1986), Agni Natchathiram (1988), Rajadhi Raja (1989) and Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989). Janagaraj became a popular comedian in Tamil films. He is known for his peculiar voice and face expression. He has also acted in supporting roles in films like Nayakan (1987), Kizhakku Vasal (1990), Annamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995). He was main sidekick for Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in 80s and early 90s films. Suruli Rajan's untimely death pushed him to forefront for roles that demanded comedy as well as character support.

### Later years

His latest roles were in King (2002), Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004) and M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) as supporting roles. He acted a negative role in Aayudham (2005). After a hiatus, Janagaraj made his acting comeback with 96 (2018) and Dha Dha 87 (2019).

## Award

* Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male) for – King (2002)

## Filmography
### Tamil films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | Kizhake Pogum Rail | Panchayat Member | |
| 1979 | Suvarilladha Chiththirangal | Palanisamy | |
| 1979 | Puthiya Vaarpugal | Periyavar's son | |
| 1980 | Kallukkul Eeram | | |
| 1980 | Ilamai Kolam | Suresh's friend | |
| 1980 | Nizhalgal | Moneylender | |
| 1981 | Enakkaga Kaathiru | | |
| 1981 | Palaivana Solai | Senthil | |
| 1982 | Kalyana Kalam | | |
| Kaadhal Oviyam | | |
| Pakkathu Veetu Roja | | |
| 1983 | Paayum Puli | Chinnasamy | |
| 1983 | Mann Vasanai | School Teacher | |
| 1983 | Ilamai Kaalangal | | |
| 1983 | Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey | Fake doctor | |
| 1983 | Dhooram Adhighamillai | | |
| 1984 | Kuva Kuva Vaathugal | | |
| 1984 | Nooravathu Naal | John | |
| 1984 | Thambikku Entha Ooru | Ramaiya | |
| 1984 | Pudhumai Penn | | |
| 1984 | Shanthi Muhurtham | | |
| 1984 | Ingeyum Oru Gangai | | |
| 1984 | Unga Veetu Pillai | | |
| 1984 | Iru Medhaigal | Mahesh | |
| 1984 | Vai Sollil Veeranadi | | |
| 1984 | Ambigai Neril Vanthaal | | |
| 1984 | January 1 | | |
| 1985 | Oru Kaidhiyin Diary | Velappan | |
| 1985 | Mannukketha Ponnu | Chinna Pannai | |
| 1985 | Kanni Rasi | Shivaraman | |
| 1985 | Oru Malarin Payanam | | |
| 1985 | Anni | | |
| 1985 | Anbin Mugavari | | |
| 1985 | Ambigai Neril Vanthaal | | |
| 1985 | Uyarndha Ullam | Mani | |
| 1985 | Muthal Mariyathai | Rope-spinner | |
| 1985 | Marudhani | | |
| 1985 | Vetrikani | Paneer Selvam | |
| 1985 | Sri Raghavendra | St. Sudeendrar's disciple | |
| 1985 | Puthiya Theerpu | Constable | |
| 1985 | Thiramai | | |
| 1985 | Padikkadavan | Kabali | |
| 1985 | Sindhu Bhairavi | Tambura Musician | |
| 1985 | Aan Paavam | Kanagaraj | |
| 1986 | Vikram | Dubash Translator | |
| 1986 | Selvakku | | |
| 1986 | Marakka Matten | | |
| 1986 | Neethana Antha Kuyil | | |
| 1986 | Anandha Kanneer | | |
| 1986 | Isai Paadum Thendral | | |
| 1986 | Kadalora Kavithaigal | | |
| 1986 | Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum | | |
| 1986 | Kaalamellam Unn Madiyil | | |
| 1986 | Palaivana Rojakkal | Majunu | |
| 1986 | Oru Iniya Udhayam | Thavudu | |
| 1987 | Kadhal Parisu | Malini's uncle | |
| 1987 | Raja Mariyadhai | Hanumanthu | |
| 1987 | Kudumbam Oru Koyil | | |
| 1987 | Valayal Satham | | |
| 1987 | Vilangu | | |
| 1987 | Makkal En Pakkam | | |
| 1987 | Ini Oru Sudhanthiram | | |
| 1987 | Vairagyam | | |
| 1987 | Jallikattu | Janagaraj | |
| 1987 | Kaadhal Viduthalai | | |
| 1987 | Theertha Karaiyinile | Panchayat | |
| 1987 | Nayakan | Selvam | |
| 1987 | Pookkal Vidum Thudhu | Murugesan | |
| 1987 | Neram Nalla Irukku | | |
| 1987 | Vedham Pudhithu | Vaidehi's Suitor | |
| 1988 | Annanagar Mudhal Theru | Madhavan | |
| 1988 | Paimara Kappal | | |
| 1988 | Poovukkul Boogambam | | |
| 1988 | Urimai Geetham | Ezhumalai | |
| 1988 | Ullathil Nalla Ullam | Michael Raj's father | |
| 1988 | En Bommukutty Ammavukku | Lawyer | |
| 1988 | Agni Natchathiram | Lakshmipathi | |
| 1988 | Therkathi Kallan | Pandian | |
| 1988 | Ganam Courtar Avargale | Baski's mentor | |
| 1988 | Manasukkul Mathappu | Vasu | |
| 1988 | Jeeva | Dilli | |
| 1988 | Soora Samhaaram | Jana | |
| 1988 | Unnal Mudiyum Thambi | | |
| 1988 | Nallavan | Madhu | |
| 1988 | Sathya | Naidu | |
| 1988 | Kodi Parakuthu | Chinna Dhadha | |
| 1988 | Kaliyugam | | |
| 1988 | Paravaigal Palavitham | Shiva | |
| 1988 | Puthiya Vaanam | Pattabi | |
| 1988 | Nethiyadi | Mysore Manikam | |
| 1989 | Poo Manam | | |
| 1989 | Oru Thottil Sabatham | | |
| 1989 | Nalaya Manithan | Sergeant Shekar | |
| 1989 | En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan | Lawyer | |
| 1989 | Thaai Naadu | Samuel | |
| 1989 | Vaai Kozhuppu | Baskar | |
| 1989 | Varusham Padhinaaru | Rajamani | |
| 1989 | Moodu Manthiram | | |
| 1989 | Rajadhi Raja | Sethupathi | |
| 1989 | Paattukku Oru Thalaivan | Vicky | |
| 1989 | En Rathathin Rathame | | |
| 1989 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Police Inspector | |
| 1989 | Siva | | |
| 1989 | Kakka Kadi | | |
| 1989 | Oru Thottil Sabadham | | |
| 1989 | Varusham 16 | Rajamani | |
| 1989 | Manidhan Marivittan | | |
| 1989 | Manandhal Mahadevan | | |
| 1989 | Vetri Vizha | Cameo appearance | |
| 1989 | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal | Jolly | |
| 1989 | Thiruppu Munai | Pichandi | |
| 1989 | Ponnu Pakka Poren | Balu | |
| 1990 | Idhaya Thamarai | Absence of mind man | |
| 1990 | Panakkaran | Sabapathy | |
| 1990 | Pachai Kodi | Kandasaamy | |
| 1990 | Arangetra Velai | Naidu | |
| 1990 | Seetha | Boopathy's father | |
| 1990 | Nila Pennae | | |
| 1990 | Aarathi Edungadi | Kaaliyapatti Ramasamy | |
| 1990 | Seetha Geetha | | |
| 1990 | Vellaiya Thevan | | |
| 1990 | Sathan Sollai Thattathe | Gopinath | |
| 1990 | Kizhakku Vasal | Thayamma's father | |
| 1990 | Anjali | Watchman | |
| 1990 | Keladi Kanmani | Adaikkalam | |
| 1990 | Nee Sirithaal Deepavali | | |
| 1990 | Vaigasi Poranthachu | Chinnarasu | |
| 1990 | Urudhi Mozhi | Jagan | |
| 1990 | Raja Kaiya Vacha | Raghu | |
| 1990 | Pudhiya Sarithiram | | |
| 1991 | Naan Pudicha Mappillai | Pichayandi | |
| 1991 | Vetri Padigal | Govind | |
| 1991 | Gopura Vasalile | Bank clerk Pethaperumal | |
| 1991 | Thanga Thamaraigal | | |
| 1991 | Nattai Thirudathey | | |
| 1991 | Aatha Un Koyilile | Kaliappan | |
| 1991 | Kaaval Nilayam | Murali | |
| 1991 | Archana IAS | Perumalswamy | |
| 1991 | Pondatti Pondattithan | Kathiresan | |
| 1991 | Veetla Ezhi Velila Puli | | |
| 1991 | Idhayam | Doctor | |
| 1991 | Manasaara Vaazhthungalean | | |
| 1991 | Nee Pathi Naan Pathi | Ramasamy | |
| 1991 | Nattukku Oru Nallavan | Subhash's father | |
| 1991 | Vaasalile Oru Vennila | | |
| 1991 | Guna | Gunaa's uncle | |
| 1991 | Thoodhu Poo Chellakiliye | | |
| 1991 | Kurumbukkaran | | |
| 1992 | Rendu Pondatti Kaavalkaaran | Muthusamy | |
| 1992 | Naangal | Sundaram | |
| 1992 | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | Nadaswara Vidwan | |
| 1992 | Nadodi Thendral | | |
| 1992 | Unakkaga Piranthen | Radha's grandfather | |
| 1992 | Annamalai | Panchachalam | |
| 1992 | Vasantha Malargal | | |
| 1992 | Kalikaalam | | |
| 1992 | Endrum Anbudan | Venkatachalam | |
| 1992 | Pattathu Raani | Viswanathan | |
| 1992 | Roja | Chajoo Maharaj | |
| 1992 | Brahmachari | Ganesan's uncle | |
| 1992 | Pandiyan | Vinayaga | |
| 1992 | Solaiyamma | Balraj's father | |
| 1992 | Meera | Comic Inspector | |
| 1993 | Thangakkili | | |
| 1993 | Prathap | Rajappa | |
| 1993 | Vedan | McDowell | |
| 1993 | Pass Mark | | |
| 1993 | Nallathe Nadakkum | Rami | |
| 1993 | Parvathi Ennai Paradi | Venkatraman | |
| 1993 | Pathini Penn | Narayanan | |
| 1993 | Kizhakke Varum Paattu | | |
| 1993 | Idhaya Nayagan | Jana | |
| 1994 | Veetla Visheshanga | Doctor Sree | |
| 1994 | Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru | Politician | |
| 1994 | Purushanai Kaikkulla Pottukkanum | | |
| 1994 | Captain | Lakshmi Narayanan | |
| 1994 | Pondattiye Deivam | Sundaram | |
| 1994 | Uzhiyan | Manickam | |
| 1994 | Veera | Rupa's father | |
| 1994 | Oru Vasantha Geetham | | |
| 1994 | Sevvanthi | | |
| 1994 | Thaatboot Thanjavur | | |
| 1994 | May Madham | Captain | |
| 1994 | Karuththamma | Kaliamma's husband | |
| 1994 | Manju Virattu | Gnanam | |
| 1995 | Engirundho Vandhan | Manikandan | |
| 1995 | Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari | Accountant Ekambaraeshwarar | |
| 1995 | Baashha | Gurumurthy | |
| 1995 | Gangai Karai Paattu | Puncture shop owner | |
| 1995 | Paattu Padava | Rangarajan | |
| 1995 | Thottil Kuzhandhai | Muthu | |
| 1995 | Puthiya Aatchi | Rajarathnam | |
| 1995 | Indira | Kanakku Pillai | |
| 1995 | Thirumoorthy | Uma's father | |
| 1995 | Nandhavana Theru | Albert | |
| 1995 | Thedi Vandha Raasa | Vishwanath | |
| 1995 | Rajavin Parvaiyile | Pannaiyar | |
| 1995 | En Pondatti Nallava | | |
| 1996 | Gopala Gopala | Kuzhanthaivel | |
| 1997 | Vaimaye Vellum | Michael | |
| 1997 | Arunachalam | Kathavarayan | |
| 1997 | Devathai | Keerthi's father | also singer for song "Kokkarakko Kozhi" |
| 1997 | Paththini | | |
| 1997 | Vidukathai | | |
| 1997 | Vasuki | Kabali | |
| 1998 | Ulavuthurai | Duraisamy | |
| 1998 | Udhavikku Varalaamaa | Annamalai | |
| 1998 | Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara | | |
| 1998 | Harichandra | Doctor | |
| 1998 | Kumbakonam Gopalu | | |
| 1999 | Ullathai Killathe | Chakravarthy | |
| 1999 | Annan Thangachi | Kodeeswaran | |
| 1999 | Suyamvaram | Mithrabuthan | |
| 1999 | Jodi | Nachimuthu | |
| 2000 | Seenu | Mani | |
| 2000 | Puratchikkaaran | | |
| 2001 | Piriyadha Varam Vendum | Kannatha's neighbour | |
| 2002 | Dhaya | Selvaraj | |
| 2002 | Raajjiyam | Governor's PA | |
| 2002 | King | Shanmugam's father | |
| 2002 | Solla Marandha Kadhai | Mudhaliar | |
| 2002 | I Love You Da | Sadasivam | |
| 2004 | Jai | | |
| 2004 | Aayutha Ezhuthu | Doctor | |
| 2004 | New | Doctor | |
| 2004 | M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi | Police officer | |
| 2005 | Aayudham | Naga's uncle | |
| 2006 | Kalinga | | |
| 2006 | 47A Besant Nagar Varai | | |
| 2007 | Mudhal Kanave | Jennifer's grandfather | |
| 2007 | Thavam | Mani | |
| 2008 | Pattaya Kelappu | Arunachalam | |
| 2018 | '96 | Watchman/Kaaval Theivam | |
| 2019 | Dha Dha 87 | Nayudu | |
| 2021 | Obama Ungalukkaga | | |
| 2024 | Thatha | Thatha | short film released on Shortflix |
| 2024 | COINS | Ayya | Singer with his Son Naveen Janakaraj | 10 Rupee COINS | GTS A BLOSSOM MOVIES | CV RECORDS | Sakthivel Thangamani |

### Other language films

| Year | Film | Role | Language |
| 1980 | Red Rose | Servant | Hindi |
| 1990 | No.20 Madras Mail | Murukesan | Malayalam |
| 1990 | Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari | Police Inspector | Telugu |
| 1993 | Sneha Sagaram | Pazhaniappan Gounder | Malayalam |
| 1993 | Dhadi | Police Inspector | Telugu |
| 1997 | Rishyasringan | | Malayalam |
| 1998 | Dil Se.. | Taxi Driver | Hindi |
| 2000 | Hats Off India | | Kannada |