# Y. G. Mahendran

Yecha Gunja Mahendran (born 9 January 1950), also known as Y. G. Mahendran or Y. G. Mahendra, is an Indian actor, dramatist, singer, playwright and comedian from the state of Tamil Nadu. He has acted in a number of plays and films. He is the son of Y. G. Parthasarathy, one of the pioneers of modern Tamil drama and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, founder and dean of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools, and nephew of veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balaji. Mahendran is also the cousin of actress Vyjayanthimala and the co-brother of Rajinikanth and Mohanlal.

## Early life and family

Y. G. Mahendran was born on 9 January 1950 to Y. G. Parthasarathy and Y. G. Rajalakshmi. Y. G. P. founded the United Amateur Artists (UAA), one of the first drama companies in Madras city, in the year 1952. His drama company was a success and he emerged as one of the foremost dramatists of his era. Mahendran's mother Mrs. Rajalakshmi (also called Mrs. Y.G.P.) was the founder of the Padma Seshadri Group of Schools. Starting from modest beginnings in a thatched shed in the terrace of the Y.G.P. home in 1959 with a batch of eleven students as an act of social service for the members of the Nungambakkam Recreation Club the school has since emerged as one of the best schools in India.
Hailing from a family of stage-lovers, Mahendran soon developed a liking for drama from his early days. He played the part of comedian in school plays and earned acclaim. On completion of his schooling from Don Bosco Egmore, he studied Chemical Engineering at A. C. College of Technology, Guindy and MBA. During his college days, he was touted as a prospective film actor. He was in his early teens when he joined his father's drama troupe, the United Amateur Artists (UAA). This gave him the desired break. His first few plays were huge successes attracting audiences by thousands. Mahendran's name had become one of the prominent names in the city. Eventually, he had to choose between acting and his career and he chose the former.
Y.G. Mahendran's daughter Madhuvanti is married to V. Arunkumar, who is the grandson of actors Gemini Ganesan and Savitri.

## Career

In 1970, Mahendran was cast by veteran director K. Balachander in the latter's film Navagraham. The film was an average grosser. Mahendran was discovered to have a nasal voice which made him sound funny. He acted in a variety of roles in a number of movies – particularly as a dim witted fool of a cousin – generally eclipsing roles enjoyed by Cho Ramaswamy in the 1960s and 1970s. He shared screen space with many legendary actors including Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He thanked K. Balachander, Kalakendra Govindrajan and actor Srikanth for introducing him in the industry, and said that he wouldn't have attained this height without fans. He had also been part of many television series.

## Political opinion
### Speech on CAA

Mahendran made reference to the ongoing Citizenship Amendment Act protests across India and the involvement of the student community and said the students go to the protests because they can get a leave on the day and they can cause ruckus and to check out the women standing in the crowd. His statements were criticized by different sections on social media. Singer Chinmayi criticised his comments and said, "Comments from men such as Y. G. Mahendran has to be brushed aside, because it's a waste of time speaking about them.

## Business

Mahendran, thanks to his brother in law, also began a parallel career in industrial ceramics and had a flourishing company established in 1982. He sold his ceramics business in 2001 for a whopping sum and has made a comeback into production and acting.

## Partial filmography
### Tamil films

List of Y. G. Mahendran Tamil film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1970 | Navagraham | Anumanthu | |
| 1971 | Nootrukku Nooru | Mahesh | |
| 1973 | Gauravam | Kannan's driver | |
| 1974 | Dheerga Sumangali | Sikhamani | |
| 1974 | Penn Ondru Kanden | | |
| 1974 | Dikkatra Parvathi | | |
| 1975 | Anbe Aaruyire | Lawrence | |
| 1976 | Manmadha Leelai | Petition Kodhandam | |
| 1976 | Paalooti Valartha Kili | | |
| 1976 | Uravadum Nenjam | | |
| 1976 | Ilaya Thalaimurai | Balbeer Singh | |
| 1977 | Dheepam | | |
| 1977 | Thani Kudithanam | Narayanan | |
| 1977 | Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri | Muthu | |
| 1978 | Andaman Kadhali | Madhan's friend | |
| 1978 | Kaatrinile Varum Geetham | Flight Passenger | |
| 1978 | Shankar Salim Simon | Mahesh | |
| 1978 | Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral | Dhamu | |
| 1978 | En Kelvikku Enna Bathil | Servant of Sivaraman | 1978 | Idhu Eppadi Irukku | Anandh |
| 1979 | Neeya? | Martin | |
| 1979 | Thaayillamal Naan Illai | Drama artist | |
| 1979 | Dharma Yuddham | | Guest appearance |
| 1979 | Imayam | | |
| 1979 | Mangala Vaathiyam | | |
| 1979 | Annai Oru Aalayam | | |
| 1979 | Adukku Malli | | |
| 1980 | Bhama Rukmani | Mounaguru | Guest appearance |
| 1980 | Rishi Moolam | | |
| 1980 | Yamanukku Yaman | | |
| 1980 | Guru | Mahesh | |
| 1980 | Murattu Kalai | Kaalaiyan's first brother | |
| 1981 | Kazhugu | Gopi | |
| 1981 | Savaal | Johny | |
| 1981 | Raja Paarvai | Seenu | |
| 1981 | Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum | | |
| 1981 | Ellam Inbamayyam | Pazhani | |
| 1982 | Pokkiri Raja | Chandran | |
| 1982 | Vaa Kanna Vaa | Krishnamoorthy | |
| 1982 | Moondram Pirai | Srinivas's friend | |
| 1982 | Iniyavale Vaa | | |
| 1982 | Thanikattu Raja | Ravi | |
| 1982 | Simla Special | Vasu | |
| 1982 | Sangili | | |
| 1982 | Sakalakala Vallavan | Poonai | |
| 1982 | Thyagi | | |
| 1982 | Rani Theni | | Guest appearance |
| 1982 | Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | Kamal | |
| 1982 | Nadodi Raja | | |
| 1982 | Paritchaikku Neramaachu | Varadhukutty and Anand | |
| 1982 | Pagadai Panirendu | Vishnu | |
| 1982 | Adhisaya Piravigal | Kathamuthu | |
| 1982 | Nenjangal | | |
| 1983 | Paayum Puli | Mahi | |
| 1983 | Neethibathi | Anthony | |
| 1983 | Uruvangal Maralam | Ramalingam | |
| 1983 | Urangatha Ninaivugal | Raghavan | |
| 1983 | Thudikkum Karangal | Babu | |
| 1983 | Soorapuli | | |
| 1983 | Sattam | M. L. Anandharaman | |
| 1983 | Sivappu Sooriyan | Vidhyasagar | |
| 1983 | Sumangali | Gopal | |
| 1983 | Miruthanga Chakravarthi | | |
| 1983 | Vellai Roja | Constable Perumal Naidu | |
| 1983 | Kodugal Illatha Kolam | | |
| 1984 | Thiruppam | | |
| 1984 | Vetri | Appusami | |
| 1984 | Tharaasu | | |
| 1984 | Vaazhkai | Anwar | |
| 1984 | Nenjathai Allitha | | |
| 1984 | Sattathai Thiruthungal | | |
| 1984 | Kai Kodukkum Kai | Narayana | |
| 1984 | Neengal Kettavai | James | |
| 1984 | Veetuku Oru Kannagi | Criminal Lawyer Mahendran | |
| 1984 | Alaya Deepam | | |
| 1984 | Pudhumai Penn | | |
| 1984 | Anbulla Rajinikanth | | |
| 1984 | Pillaiyar | | |
| 1984 | Nallavanuku Nallavan | Thakkali | |
| 1984 | Vamsa Vilakku | Peter | |
| 1984 | Vai Pandal | Diwakar's friend | |
| 1984 | Kudumbam | | Guest appearance |
| 1984 | Puthiya Sangamam | | |
| 1984 | Ambigai Neril Vanthaal | | |
| 1985 | Nalla Thambi | | |
| 1985 | Anthasthu | | |
| 1985 | Pudhu Yugam | | |
| 1985 | Vellai Manasu | | |
| 1985 | Padikkadha Pannaiyar | | |
| 1985 | Poi Mugangal | | |
| 1985 | Naan Sigappu Manithan | Harichandran | |
| 1985 | Needhiyin Nizhal | Unni | |
| 1985 | Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal... | Babu | |
| 1985 | Nermai | Govindan | |
| 1985 | Andha Oru Nimidam | Balu | |
| 1985 | Aduthathu Albert | Baasha | |
| 1985 | Viswanathan Velai Venum | | |
| 1985 | Uyarndha Ullam | Jambu | |
| 1985 | Sri Raghavendrar | Guru Sri Sudeendrar's disciple | |
| 1985 | Raja Rishi | Agni Deva | |
| 1986 | Marumagal | Jagadish | |
| 1986 | Poi Mugangal | Vasanth | |
| 1986 | Vasantha Raagam | | |
| 1986 | Iravu Pookkal | | |
| 1986 | Annai En Deivam | Appu | |
| 1986 | Engal Thaikulame Varuga | | |
| 1986 | Dharma Devathai | | |
| 1987 | Sankar Guru | Dharmaraj | |
| 1987 | Anbulla Appa | | |
| 1987 | Anand | | |
| 1987 | Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam | Vitten | Also director |
| 1987 | Thalidhanam | | |
| 1988 | Thaimel Aanai | Punyakodi | |
| 1988 | Illam | | |
| 1989 | Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil | Vinodh | |
| 1989 | Thalaippu Seithigal | | |
| 1990 | Mounam Sammadham | Adv. J. Shekar | |
| 1991 | Thambikku Oru Pattu | | |
| 1991 | Paattondru Ketten | | |
| 1993 | Karpagam Vanthachu | Sarathi | |
| 1994 | Sakthivel | | |
| 1994 | Veera | Kesavan | |
| 1995 | En Pondatti Nallava | | |
| 1996 | Minor Mappillai | Movie director | |
| 2000 | Hey Ram | Yagyam | |
| 2006 | Jambhavan | CBI officer Ganapathy | |
| 2006 | Kusthi | Vayram | |
| 2007 | Adavadi | Bharath's father | |
| 2007 | Sringaram | Gurukkal | |
| 2008 | Pandhayam | Dr. Pitchaimuthu | |
| 2008 | Seval | Panjami Iyer | |
| 2009 | Indira Vizha | Advocate | |
| 2009 | Kanthaswamy | Ganganathan | |
| 2010 | Pen Singam | | |
| 2010 | Anandhapurathu Veedu | Bala's father's friend | |
| 2010 | Naane Ennul Illai | | |
| 2011 | Ilaignan | Chettiar | |
| 2011 | Yudham Sei | Doctor Prushoththaman | |
| 2011 | Deiva Thirumagal | Ragunathan | |
| 2011 | Venghai | Professor | |
| 2012 | Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal | Jeeva's father | |
| 2012 | Vachathi | | |
| 2013 | Puthran | | |
| 2013 | Thalaivaa | Lawyer Radhakrishnan | |
| 2014 | Gramam | Burma Ambi Swami | |
| 2014 | Vallinam | Venkatachalam | |
| 2014 | Ramanujan | S. Narayana Iyer | Also in English |
| 2014 | Irukku Aana Illai | Dr. Mathrubootham | |
| 2014 | Megha | | |
| 2014 | Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe | Subramaniyam | |
| 2015 | Oru Kilo Taxi | Swami | Short Film |
| 2015 | 9 Thirudargal | | |
| 2015 | Yatchan | Maindhan | |
| 2016 | Kanithan | COE Chandrasekaran | |
| 2016 | Aagam | Acharya | |
| 2016 | Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum | | Guest appearance |
| 2016 | Saithan | Dinesh's boss | |
| 2017 | Bairavaa | Bank manager Venkatesan | |
| 2017 | Saaya | | |
| 2017 | Kadamban | | |
| 2017 | Inayathalam | I.G Sabapathy | |
| 2017 | Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan | "Current" Murugan | |
| 2017 | Velaikkaran | Narayanan | |
| 2018 | Aaruthra | Ramanujam | |
| 2019 | Petta | College principal | |
| 2019 | Goko Mako | Natchatrian | |
| 2020 | Indha Nilai Maarum | Lawyer Adhithyan | |
| 2020 | Oh Andha Naatkal | GKB | |
| 2021 | Rudra Thandavam | Ramachandran | |
| 2021 | Maanaadu | Paranthaaman | |
| 2021 | Ikk | | |
| 2022 | Jiivi 2 | Psychiatrist | |
| 2022 | Mugamariyaan | | |
| 2023 | Tamilarasan | Arthanaari | |
| 2023 | Theerkadarishi | Dr. Iniyan | |
| 2023 | Pichaikkaran 2 | M. Krishna Iyer | |
| 2023 | Custody | Party President | |
| 2023 | Appatha | Azhagu Sundaram's manager | Uncredited |
| 2023 | Kick | MJ's father | |
| 2023 | Mark Antony | Gowri | |
| 2024 | Singapore Saloon | Vichu | |
| 2024 | Rathnam | Rathnam's grandfather | |
| 2024 | The Greatest of All Time | R.A.W Officer | Cameo appearance |
| 2024 | Jolly O Gymkhana | Thangasamy | |
| 2025 | Kooran | | |

### Telugu films

List of Y. G. Mahendran Telugu film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | Amma Evarikaina Amma | | |
| 1981 | Amavasya Chandrudu | Chanti | |
| 1983 | Tarzan Sundari | Sambo | |
| 1984 | Jagan | Mahendra | |
| 1985 | Alaya Deepam | | |
| 1985 | Surya Chandra | Kabir | |
| 1987 | America Abbayi | Pradeep's friend | |
| 1987 | Attagaru Zindabad | | |
| 1987 | Chinnari Devatha | | |
| 1988 | Veguchukka Pagatichukka | | Dubbed in Tamil as Edutha Sabatham Mudippen |
| 1989 | Ajatha Satruvu | Chanti Babu | |
| 1989 | Krishna Gari Abbayi | | |
| 2023 | Custody | | |

### Malayalam films

List of Y. G. Mahendran Malayalam film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | Maalika Paniyunnavar | Krishnan Mesthiri | |
| 1979 | Velicham Vitharunna Penkutty | Swami | |
| 1983 | Oomakkuyil | | Lead role |
| 1990 | Naale Ennundengil | | |
| 1992 | Ente Tution Teacher | | |
| 1997 | Kaduva Thomas | Gajendran | |
| 2011 | Doubles | Piyari Sayip | |
| 2012 | Namma Gramam | Burma Ambi Swami | |
| 2020 | Shyamaragam | Ramanaadha Bhagavathar | |
| 2024 | Varshangalkku Shesham | Swaminathan | |

### Hindi films

List of Y. G. Mahendran Hindi film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | Naseeb Apna Apna | Ram Prasad | Special appearance |
| 1993 | Muqabla | Police Constable Saajan | |

### Television

List of Y. G. Mahendran television credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
| | Thuppariyum Sambu | Sambu | Doordarshan |
| 1998 | Mr. Brain | | Sun Tv |
| 1999 | Vasool Chakravarthy | | Sun TV |
| 2001–2002 | Vazhkai | | Sun TV |
| 2002 | Sherlock Maami | | |
| 2002–2004 | Rudhraveenai | "Sakthi Upasakar" Narasimma Barathi | Sun TV |
| 2003–2004 | Sahaana | JKB | Jaya TV |
| 2004–2005 | Chidambara Rahasiyam | Dr. Thillairajan | Sun TV |
| 2007 | Thavam | | Sun TV |
| 2012–2017 | Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval | Namboothiri | Sun TV |
| 2015 | Enga Veettu Penn | | Zee Tamil |
| 2020 | Roja | Suresh Chakravarthy | Sun TV |
| 2020–2021 | Anbe Vaa | Colonel Ram | Sun TV |
| 2024–present | Mahakavi Bharathi | Kuvalai Kannan | DD Tamizh |

### Web series

List of Y. G. Mahendran web series credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Platform | Notes |
| 2019 | Karoline Kamakshi | Chidhambharam | ZEE5 | |
| 2021 | Navarasa | Krishna Iyer | Netflix | episode: Summer of '92 |
| 2024 | Thalaimai Seyalagam | Advocate Rangarajan | ZEE5 | |
| 2024 | Aindham Vedham | Rudhrapathy | ZEE5 | |

### As director

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1978 | Uravukku Kai Koduppom | |
| 1987 | Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam | |

### Stage plays

* Venkata 3
* Vietnam Veedu
* Sudesi Iyer
* Thanthramukhi
* Kaadhalikka Neramundu
* Antha 7 Aatkal
* Ragasiyam Parama Ragasiyam
* Irandam Ragasiyam
* Soppana Vazhvil
* Kasedhan Kadavulada
* Nadagam

### Dubbing artist

List of Y. G. Mahendran film dubbing credits :
| Year | Title | Actor | Character |
| 1980 | Iru Nilavugal | Kamal Haasan | |
| 1990 | Vaaliban | Babu Mohan | |
| 1990 | Vyjayanthi IPS | Babu Mohan | |
| 1990 | Idhuthanda Police | Babu Mohan | |
| 1992 | Pokkiri Ponnu | Babu Mohan | |
| 1992 | Aladdin | | Genie |
| 1994 | The Lion King | | Timon |
| 1994 | Captain | Costumes Krishna | |
| 1999 | Devi | Babu Mohan | |
| 2022 | Sita Ramam | Murli Sharma | |