# Pandu (actor)

Pandu (19 February 1947 – 6 May 2021) was an Indian Tamil actor and graphic designer who appeared in many comedy roles in Tamil cinema. He made his acting debut in the film Maanavan (1970).
A Doctor of Philosophy graduate in arts from France, he was also a visual artist who founded Capital Letters, a graphic designing company. He most notably designed the party symbol and logo of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. His brother Idichapuli Selvaraj had also previously appeared in films as a comedian.

## Career

After schooling, he first hesitated to pursue the diploma in arts as it had five-year duration. But after his teacher's insistence, he wrote the entrance exam for Arts & Design and cleared with first class and enrolled in a famous Arts & Design institute at Baroda. He completed his post-graduation at National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad with a government of India scholarship. Again he got a scholarship from the government of India for pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Arts & Design from France. He designed Tamil Nadu Tourism Logo "Umbrella" and got a cash prize of Rs.20,000/- (during the 1960s). The painting of Jayalalithaa in the song "Enge Aval, Endre Manam", was drawn by him. He is more passionate in Arts, Design and Paintings rather than cinema. The Logos of Sun TV, Shankara Nethralaya, etc. were designed by him. More than 250 Logos for reputed companies, organizations and firms were designed by him . He designed the two leaves party logo under the instruction and supervision of AIADMK founder leader MGR. In an interview with The Hindu newspaper in 2016, he said that he designed the AIADMK Flag within one hour at night, around 10:00 pm and also revealed that his association with late Indian veteran actor turned politician MGR began in 1973 when Pandu had designed stickers for MGR's iconic yesteryear evergreen film Ulagam Sutrum Valiban. Pandu made his acting debut in Maanavan, joining his brother Idichapuli Selvaraj who had appeared in several films as a comedian. He played a supporting role in Agathiyan's Kadhal Kottai portraying Ramasamy who accompanies Ajith Kumar in Rajasthan. The performance as Ajith's sidekick was widely praised and established him as a prominent actor.
In 2013, he starred in Vellachi, which featured his son Pintu Pandu in the leading role.
Away from films, in 1975 he started a brass and aluminium business in Chennai called Prapanj Unlimited. He ran it as a family business, with son Prabhu Panju in charge. He also ran a company called Capital Letters and engaged in designing name boards for offices and residences of Tamil film fraternity. In 2014, he held an art exhibition alongside another son Panju Pandu. His paintings were displayed at various International Exhibitions throughout the world.

## Death

He died on 6 May 2021 at the age of 74 after being hospitalized for COVID-19.

## Selected filmography
### Films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1970 | Maanavan | Student | |
| 1974 | Sirithu Vazha Vendum | Cheater in gambling | |
| 1981 | Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo | Thangarasu | |
| 1981 | Kadal Meengal | Vadivelu's Colleague | |
| 1988 | Raththa Dhanam | | |
| 1988 | En Uyir Kannamma | | |
| 1988 | En Thamizh En Makkal | | |
| 1989 | Pillaikkaga | Police Constable | |
| 1990 | Panakkaran | Ponnusamy | |
| 1990 | Kavalukku Kettikaran | Kannayya | |
| 1990 | Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu | Advocate | |
| 1990 | Paattukku Naan Adimai | | |
| 1990 | Pattanathil Petti | | |
| 1990 | Nadigan | Pandu | |
| 1991 | Sami Potta Mudichu | | |
| 1991 | Chinna Thambi | Domestic help | |
| 1991 | Idhaya Vaasal | | |
| 1991 | Thalattu Ketkuthamma | | |
| 1992 | Rickshaw Mama | | |
| 1992 | Idhu Namma Bhoomi | | |
| 1992 | Pondatti Rajyam | | |
| 1992 | Deiva Vaakku | | |
| 1992 | Thirumathi Palanisamy | House Owner | |
| 1992 | Naalaiya Theerpu | Poramboku | |
| 1992 | Pudhu Varusham | | |
| 1993 | Mutrugai | Pandurangam | |
| 1993 | Walter Vetrivel | | |
| 1993 | Suriyan Chandiran | | |
| 1993 | Madhumathi | | |
| 1993 | Rajadhi Raja Raja ... | | |
| 1993 | Purusha Lakshanam | | |
| 1994 | Sindhu Nathi Poo | | |
| 1994 | Ravanan | | |
| 1994 | Aranmanai Kaavalan | | |
| 1994 | Chinna Madam | Director | |
| 1994 | Nattamai | Nattamai's assistant | |
| 1994 | Murai Mappillai | College principal | |
| 1995 | Thamizhachi | | |
| 1995 | Anbu Magan | | |
| 1995 | Asuran | | |
| 1995 | Mayabazar | Police officer | |
| 1995 | Muthu | Pallavarayan | |
| 1995 | Seethanam | Dr. Thandavarayan | |
| 1995 | Murai Mappillai | Hitler (College principal) | |
| 1996 | Vaanmathi | Krishna's father | |
| 1996 | Ullathai Allitha | Viswanathan's manager | |
| 1996 | Coimbatore Mappillai | Traffic Police Ponraj | |
| 1996 | Meendum Savithri | Gajendran | |
| 1996 | Vaazhga Jananayagam | Anjala's father | |
| 1996 | Irattai Roja | | |
| 1996 | Krishna | Police constable | |
| 1996 | Kadhal Kottai | Ramasamy | |
| 1996 | Vetri Mugam | | |
| 1996 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Gopi | |
| 1996 | Andha Naal | Subbu | |
| 1996 | Gokulathil Seethai | Cook | |
| 1996 | Purushan Pondatti | Khan | |
| 1996 | Take It Easy Urvashi | Sub-inspector | |
| 1997 | Dharma Chakkaram | Chakkaravarthy's servant | |
| 1997 | Nesam | | |
| 1997 | Gopura Deepam | | |
| 1997 | Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga | Sanjay kujidabadham | |
| 1997 | Vaimaye Vellum | | |
| 1997 | Mannava | | |
| 1997 | Thaali Pudhusu | | |
| 1997 | Ganga Gowri | | |
| 1997 | Aahaa Enna Porutham | Panju Gounder | |
| 1997 | Vasuki | Police officer | |
| 1997 | Pudhalvan | | |
| 1998 | Kaadhale Nimmadhi | | |
| 1998 | Maru Malarchi | Azhagu | |
| 1998 | Color Kanavugal | | |
| 1998 | Ini Ellam Sugame | | |
| 1998 | Santhosham | | |
| 1998 | Unnudan | Venkatesh | |
| 1998 | Ponmaanai Thedi | | |
| 1998 | Guru Paarvai | Vignesh | |
| 1999 | Ninaivirukkum Varai | Police inspector | |
| 1999 | Annan | Sangu | |
| 1999 | Vaali | Velu Nair | |
| 1999 | Poomagal Oorvalam | Broker Ponnushamy | |
| 1999 | Annan Thangachi | Azhagu | |
| 1999 | Kannodu Kanbathellam | Akhila's boss | |
| 1999 | Independence Day | |
| 1999 | Jodi | House owner | |
| 1999 | Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga | Doctor | |
| 1999 | Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum | Chinnasamy | |
| 1999 | Time | Priya's father | |
| 1999 | Paattali | Lawyer Naachiyappan | |
| 2000 | Good Luck | | |
| 2000 | Eazhaiyin Sirippil | P. Pandu | |
| 2000 | Thai Poranthachu | | |
| 2000 | Kakkai Siraginilae | Pannaiyar | |
| 2000 | Sandhitha Velai | | |
| 2000 | James Pandu | Police inspector | |
| 2000 | Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven | Selvam | |
| 2000 | Ennamma Kannu | | |
| 2000 | Pennin Manathai Thottu | Police inspector | |
| 2000 | Sabhash | Marriage broker | |
| 2000 | Ennavale | First House Owner | |
| 2001 | Looty | Subramanian | |
| 2001 | Engalukkum Kaalam Varum | Ramesh's friend | |
| 2001 | Rishi | Shopkeeper | |
| 2001 | Badri | Professor | |
| 2001 | Sigamani Ramamani | Police constable | |
| 2001 | Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala | Film Director | |
| 2001 | Kunguma Pottu Gounder | Sundaram Pillai | |
| 2001 | Citizen | Subramani's friend | |
| 2001 | Lovely | Paneerselvam's sidekick | |
| 2001 | Super Kudumbam | Major's secretary | |
| 2001 | Samudhiram | College Principal | |
| 2001 | Shahjahan | Lawyer | |
| 2001 | Manadhai Thirudivittai | Hostel Warden | |
| 2001 | Vadagupatti Maapillai | Dhadaji | |
| 2002 | Azhagi | Shanmugam's assistant | |
| 2002 | Pammal K. Sambandam | | |
| 2002 | Dhaya | Police Inspector | |
| 2002 | H2O | Chennoor villager | Kannada-Tamil bilingual film |
| 2002 | Raajjiyam | Security Officer | |
| 2002 | Junior Senior | | |
| 2002 | Varushamellam Vasantham | | |
| 2002 | Unnai Ninaithu | Vaidyalingam's follower | |
| 2002 | Devan | Kaalimuthu | |
| 2002 | Thenkasi Pattanam | Kothandam | |
| 2002 | Youth | | |
| 2002 | Sundhara Travels | Police Inspector | |
| 2002 | Namma Veetu Kalyanam | | |
| 2002 | Game | | |
| 2002 | Kadhal Azhivathillai | Professor | |
| 2002 | Villain | Police officer | |
| 2002 | Virumbugiren | | |
| 2003 | Ramachandra | Rajagopal | |
| 2003 | Student Number 1 | Sambasivam's sidekick | |
| 2003 | Aahaa Ethanai Azhagu | | |
| 2003 | Vadakku Vaasal | Professor | |
| 2003 | Anjaneya | Police officer | |
| 2003 | Anbe Un Vasam | Professor | |
| 2004 | Jai | | |
| 2004 | Gambeeram | Rajendran's assistant | |
| 2004 | Kadhal Dot Com | | |
| 2004 | Ghilli | Police Inspector | |
| 2004 | Arivumani | | |
| 2004 | Cheppave Chirugali | Gopi's follower | Telugu film |
| 2004 | Meesai Madhavan | Nair | |
| 2005 | Iyer IPS | Sub-Inspector Maduray | |
| 2005 | Kaatrullavarai | Ranga | |
| 2005 | Anbe Aaruyire | Police Inspector | |
| 2005 | Mazhai | Priest | |
| 2005 | Veeranna | | |
| 2005 | Sorry Enaku Kalyanamayidichu | Narayanan | |
| 2006 | Vanjagan | Police constable | |
| 2006 | Varalaru | Shivshankar's assistant | |
| 2006 | Manasu Palike Mouna Raagam | | Telugu film |
| 2006 | Ganapathy Vanthachi | Vaithi | |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Thillagara | |
| 2007 | 18 Vayasu Puyale | Inspector Mustafa | |
| 2007 | Nam Naadu | political member | |
| 2007 | Puli Varudhu | Vinayaga's father | |
| 2008 | Pattaya Kilappu | | |
| 2009 | Villu | Jyothi's father | |
| 2009 | Kudiyarasu | Saamy | |
| 2009 | Brahmadeva | Doctor | |
| 2009 | Malai Malai | | |
| 2009 | Kanden Kadhalai | Ramanathan | |
| 2010 | Maanja Velu | | |
| 2010 | Singam | Maarichaamy | |
| 2010 | Vaadaa | Vanangamudi's PA | |
| 2010 | Uthama Puthiran | Swamiji's assistant | |
| 2010 | Chikku Bukku | Sadhasivam | |
| 2011 | Thoonga Nagaram | | |
| 2011 | En Ullam Unnai Theduthey | | |
| 2011 | Vedi | | |
| 2011 | Keratam | Bikshapati | Telugu film |
| 2011 | Yuvan | Avudaiyappan | |
| 2011 | Marudhavelu | Sub-Inspector | |
| 2012 | Vachathi | | |
| 2012 | Maasi | | |
| 2012 | Ullam | | |
| 2012 | Yugam | | |
| 2013 | Kaadhal Kilukiluppu | | |
| 2013 | Vellachi | | |
| 2013 | Ingu Kadhal Katrutharapadum | | |
| 2013 | Thiru Pugazh | | |
| 2014 | Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum | | |
| 2014 | Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani | | |
| 2014 | Theriyama Unnai Kadhalichitten | | |
| 2014 | Sigaram Thodu | IBIBI Bank Branch Manager | |
| 2014 | Jamaai | | |
| 2014 | Manam Konda Kaadhal | | |
| 2015 | Katham Katham | Madhu's father | |
| 2015 | Kanchana 2 | Dr. Pandurangan | |
| 2015 | Apoorva Mahaan | | |
| 2015 | Nandhivaram | | |
| 2016 | Vaaliba Raja | Traffic police | |
| 2016 | Narathan | Astrologer | |
| 2016 | Anbudan Anbarasi | Irandam Thiruvalluvar alias Bakkiyaraj | |
| 2016 | Ilamai Oonjal | | |
| 2017 | Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva | Doctor | |
| 2017 | Oru Mugathirai | | |
| 2017 | Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan | Doctor | |
| 2017 | Thiri | | |
| 2017 | Namma Kadha | | |
| 2017 | Ippadai Vellum | | . |
| 2018 | Panjumittai | | |
| 2018 | Kannakkol | | |
| 2018 | Itly | Producer | |
| 2020 | Indha Nilai Maarum | | |
| 2024 | Chittu 2020 | | Posthumous release |

### Television

* 2007: Dhinam Dhinam Deepavali
* 2014: Uravugal Sangamam
* 2015-2016: Sabitha Engira Sabapathi
* 2016: Valli - Natarajan