# Thambi Ramaiah

Thambi Ramaiah is an Indian actor, director and comedian who works in the Tamil film industry. He has also worked occasionally as a lyricist. He directed three films, Manu Needhi (2000), Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan (2008) and Maniyaar Kudumbam (2018). He has won one National Film Award, two SIIMA Awards, two Tamil Nadu State Film Award and one Filmfare Award South in his career.

## Career

Thambi Ramaiah was born in Rarapuram village in Pudukkottai, and initially entered the film industry hoping to become a screenwriter. His father was a poet and a fiction writer and his mother was a housewife, while Ramaiah was their eldest child. He earned pocket money during his school days by writing love letters for his classmates. He also had an interest in lyric writing, often writing lyrics for parody versions of popular songs, while becoming trained in various instruments including the harmonium and guitar. At the age of 20, he moved to Chennai and tried to make a breakthrough into the film industry, but was hindered by his lack of contacts and instead worked for a private company for nine years. He got a break in 1994 and took up a job as a dialogue writer for a serial on Sun TV, doubling up as an assistant director, script writer and lyricist. He then earned opportunities to work as an assistant director in films directed by T. Rajender and P. Vasu, and he considers the latter his teacher of screenplay-writing. He made a cameo acting appearance in Vasu's film Malabar Police (1999) in a scene featuring Goundamani. The following year, he made his directorial début with Manu Needhi (2000), which starred Murali and Napolean. He carried on playing supporting roles in films as well as writing comedy tracks, also directing the Vadivelu-starrer Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan (2008).
He made a breakthrough as an actor portraying a friendly cop in Prabhu Solomon's romantic film Mynaa (2010) and won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. He subsequently won positive reviews for his performances in films including Saattai, Kumki (2012) and Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam (2014). At the peak of his career in 2013–2014, he worked for up to four films a day, while being on locations for close to 25 days a month. He also served as his own manager and often was in charge of his own make-up and costumes in films.
In 2014, he announced plans to introduce his son, Umapathy Ramaiah, as an actor. His son later made his debut in Adhagappattathu Magajanangalay (2016). He made his comeback as a director after a gap debut after a 10-year hiatus with the film, Maniyaar Kudumbam (2018), starring his son Umapathy in the lead role. He also marks the debut of Thambi Ramaiah as a music director. In 2021, Samuthirakani's Vinodhaya Sitham marks his return to the filmmaker's chair that also reunites him with his costar Thambi Ramaiah. Rajakili (2024), which marks the directorial debut of Umapathy, also has Thambi Ramaiah as a music composer. Interestingly, the latter has also written the story, lyrics, and dialogue.

## Filmography
### As actor

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Malabar Police | Perumal | Credited as Ramaiah |
| 2001 | Manu Needhi | Broker Dharmalingam | |
| 2003 | Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi | Tea Shop Owner | |
| 2004 | Arul | Sethupathy's assistant | |
| 2004 | Jore | | |
| 2005 | Kodambakkam | | |
| 2005 | Bambara Kannaley | | Uncredited role |
| 2005 | Vetrivel Sakthivel | Selvi's father-in-law | |
| 2005 | Aaru | Subbu | |
| 2005 | Aanai | RTO officer | |
| 2006 | Idhaya Thirudan | Police constable | Uncredited role |
| 2006 | Kovai Brothers | Astrologer | |
| 2006 | Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi | priest | |
| 2006 | Nee Venunda Chellam | special appearance | |
| 2006 | Sillunu Oru Kadhal | Vellaichaamy's assistant | |
| 2006 | Thalaimagan | | |
| 2006 | Vathiyar | Flower seller | |
| 2006 | Nenjil | | |
| 2006 | Thagapansamy | | |
| 2007 | Maa Madurai | Osamma's husband | |
| 2007 | Thottal Poo Malarum | Kabaaleeswaran's friend | |
| 2007 | Oram Po | Rani's father | |
| 2007 | Piragu | | |
| 2008 | Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan | Chithraguptan | Also director |
| 2008 | Theekuchi | Kurangu Ramasamy | |
| 2008 | Arjunan Kadhali | | Unreleased |
| 2008 | Kee Mu | | |
| 2009 | Guru En Aalu | Lawyer | |
| 2009 | Malai Malai | | |
| 2009 | Odipolama | Visu's uncle | |
| 2010 | Magane En Marumagane | Singaram's sidekick | |
| 2010 | Kaadhal Solla Vandhen | College Principal | |
| 2010 | Vaada | | |
| 2010 | Mynaa | Ramaiah | Winner, Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor Winner, National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Tamil |
| 2010 | Mandhira Punnagai | Manmadhan Naidu | |
| 2011 | Nanjupuram | Village President | |
| 2011 | Aayiram Vilakku | | |
| 2011 | Vaagai Sooda Vaa | Twonaalettu (2×4=8) | |
| 2011 | Osthe | Maasaana Moorthy | |
| 2011 | Rajapattai | Shanmugham | |
| 2012 | Vettai | Constable | |
| 2012 | Ambuli | Vethagiri | |
| 2012 | Kazhugu | Shanmugam (Chittappa) | |
| 2012 | Pechiyakka Marumagan | | |
| 2012 | Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam | Muthiah | |
| 2012 | Mannaru | | Also writer |
| 2012 | Saattai | Singaperumal | Winner, Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Villain Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Villain |
| 2012 | Thaandavam | Thappachae Mama | |
| 2012 | Neerparavai | Joseph Bharathi | |
| 2012 | Kumki | Kothali | Winner, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Tamil |
| 2013 | Lokpal | SI Ramdas | Malayalam film |
| 2013 | Mathil Mel Poonai | | |
| 2013 | Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal | Thiruvengadam | |
| 2013 | Keeripulla | | |
| 2013 | Neram | Saravanar | |
| 2013 | Summa Nachunu Irukku | Chinniah | |
| 2013 | Apple Penne | Aarumugam | |
| 2014 | Jilla | Shivan's aide | |
| 2014 | Veeram | Savarimuthu | |
| 2014 | Pulivaal | Valliappan | |
| 2014 | Vu | Ganesh | |
| 2014 | Nimirndhu Nil | Head constable | |
| 2014 | Nedunchaalai | Master | |
| 2014 | Ennamo Nadakkudhu | Burma's friend | |
| 2014 | Un Samayal Arayil | Krishna | |
| 2014 | Athithi | Ondipuli | |
| 2014 | Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam | Seenu | Winner, Vijay Award for Best Comedian Winner, Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Comedian Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Tamil |
| 2014 | Amara Kaaviyam | Gnanam | |
| 2014 | Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani | Silambu Chinnadurai | |
| 2014 | Vanavarayan Vallavarayan | Vanavarayan & Vallavarayan's father | |
| 2014 | Rettai Vaalu | Ramasamy Padayatchi | |
| 2014 | Yaan | Chinna | |
| 2014 | Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe | Rajagopalan | |
| 2014 | Gnana Kirukkan | Selvamani | |
| 2014 | Oru Oorla Rendu Raja | Good Samaritan | |
| 2014 | Kaaviya Thalaivan | Koduvaai | |
| 2014 | Kaadu | Chettiar | |
| 2015 | Isai | Church priest | |
| 2015 | Sandamarutham | Nirukalathan | |
| 2015 | Vajram | Ramaiah | |
| 2015 | En Vazhi Thani Vazhi | | |
| 2015 | Serndhu Polama | Kumaran | |
| 2015 | Komban | Rajakili | |
| 2015 | Kangaroo | Thakapan Swami Nadar | |
| 2015 | Inimey Ippadithan | Ulaganathan | |
| 2015 | Thani Oruvan | Sengalvarayan | SIIMA Award for Best Comedian |
| 2015 | Adhibar | Siva's uncle | |
| 2015 | Strawberry | Arnold's friend | |
| 2015 | Yatchan | Sotta Mani | |
| 2015 | Maanga | | |
| 2015 | Puli | Kodangi | |
| 2015 | Sivappu | | |
| 2015 | Thiraipada Nagaram | | |
| 2015 | Vedalam | Thamizh's father | |
| 2016 | Azhagu Kutti Chellam | Orphanage owner | |
| 2016 | Peigal Jaakkirathai | Pazhaivel Annachi | |
| 2016 | Saagasam | ACP Seetharaman | |
| 2016 | Vetrivel | Othasai | |
| 2016 | Appa | Singaperumal | |
| 2016 | Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum | Manikandan | |
| 2016 | Iru Mugan | Muthaiah | |
| 2016 | Thodari | Chandrakanth | |
| 2016 | Virumandikum Sivanandikum | Ganduchamy | |
| 2017 | Bairavaa | Narayanan | |
| 2017 | Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga | | |
| 2017 | Enakku Vaaitha Adimaigal | Muthu Vinayagam | |
| 2017 | Kuttram 23 | Thirupathi | |
| 2017 | Mupparimanam | Santhosh | |
| 2017 | Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva | Home Minister | |
| 2017 | Dora | Vairam | |
| 2017 | Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae | Jambulingam | |
| 2017 | Thondan | Income tax officer | |
| 2017 | Vanamagan | Pandian | |
| 2017 | Vizhithiru | | |
| 2017 | 12-12-1950 | Vanangamudi | |
| 2017 | Palli Paruvathile | | |
| 2017 | Velaikkaran | Stella Bruce | |
| 2018 | Thaanaa Serndha Koottam | Iniyan's father | |
| 2018 | Maniyaar Kudumbam | Narthanga Saamy | also director and composer |
| 2018 | Billa Pandi | | |
| 2019 | Viswasam | Rosamani | |
| 2019 | Thirumanam | Kumaraguru | |
| 2019 | Vilambaram | Gem Ad Agency owner | |
| 2019 | Pottu | Arjun's father | |
| 2019 | Aghavan | | |
| 2019 | Mr. Local | Lakshman | |
| 2019 | Thiruttu Kalyanam | | |
| 2019 | 100% Kadhal | Ramasamy | |
| 2019 | Adutha Saattai | Singaperumal | |
| 2021 | Bhoomi | Velusaamy | Released on Disney+ Hotstar |
| 2021 | Michaelpatty Raja | Magician | |
| 2021 | Devadas Brothers | | |
| 2021 | Thalaivii | Madhavan | Bilingual film (Tamil and Hindi) |
| 2021 | Rudra Thandavam | Police Constable Joseph Murray | |
| 2021 | Vinodhaya Sitham | Parasuram | Released on ZEE5 |
| 2021 | Enemy | 'Risk' Ramalingam | |
| 2021 | Raajavamsam | Kalyanasundaram | |
| 2021 | Thanne Vandi | | |
| 2021 | Velan | Ananda Kuttan | |
| 2022 | Maha | Constable Alex Pandian | |
| 2022 | The Legend | Thulasi's father | |
| 2022 | Lilly Rani | Moorthy | |
| 2022 | Sembi | Anbu | |
| 2023 | Thalainagaram 2 | Malik | |
| 2023 | Kick | Michael Jackson "MJ" | |
| 2024 | Inga Naan Thaan Kingu | Jaameen | |
| 2024 | Indian 2 | Thangavel | |
| 2024 | Rajakili | Murugappa Sendrayar | Also, writer and composer |
| 2024 | Thiru.Manickam | Gurumoorthy | |

#### Web series

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2022 | Victim | Kandan, Sikkandar | SonyLIV |

### As director

| Year | Film | Cast |
| 2000 | Manu Needhi | Murali, Prathyusha |
| 2008 | Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan | Vadivelu, Yamini Sharma |
| 2018 | Maniyaar Kudumbam | Umapathy, Mrudula Murali |

### As singer

| Year | Film | Song | Composer | Lyrics |
| 2013 | Vu | "Oru Padi Mela" | Abhijith Ramasamy | Murugan Manthiram |
| 2015 | Asurakulam | "Polladhavaa" | C. Sathya | Yugabharathi |
| 2010 | Oru Koodai Mutham | "Nongala Enakku" | Shanthan | Thambi Ramaiah |
| 2010 | Oru Koodai Mutham | "Pappa Poranthathu" | Shanthan | Thambi Ramaiah |