Ponnambalam (born 11 November 1963) is an Indian actor and stuntman who has predominantly appeared in Tamil language films. He is best known for playing antagonistic roles in Indian films during the 1990s, notably appearing in films such as Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkalam (1999).[2] Later in his career, Ponnambalam also appeared in a few leading roles, while also taking up the mantle of director and producer.[3]
Ponnambalam | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1963-11-11) 11 November 1963 (age 59)[1] |
| Occupation | Actor, stuntman, director |
| Years active | 1987–present |
Ponnambalam made his debut in cinema as a stuntman, and often appeared as an extra fighter in films, starring in minor roles in films including Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990). As a result of his proficiency as a stuntman, he later received the nickname "Spare Parts" Ponnambalam as no part of his body was ever injured or fractured.[4] He made a breakthrough as an actor following the success of P. Vasu's Walter Vetrivel (1993), and subsequently starred in several prominent Tamil films in the 1990s in villainous roles. Notable characters he portrayed including his work in Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkalam (1999). Ponnambalam also played the lead roles in film including the action drama Muthal Echarikkai (1999) and Ammaiyappa (2002), where he featured alongside actress Roshini. Reviewing the film, a critic noted "the movie does little other than prove conclusively that Ponnambalam is not cut out to be a hero", and that "though he picks a role that suits his build, emotes surprisingly well and fights aggressively, his looks make it difficult for us to accept him as a conventional leading man".[5]
Ponnambalam turned director and producer through the film, Pattaya Kelappu, starring Sriman in the lead role. Despite beginning in 2004, the film had a delayed release, while another directorial venture titled Thethi 32 was subsequently dropped.[6] Ponnambalam began a project titled Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai during 2010, starring newcomers. Despite beginning production, the film was shelved and eventually did not have a theatrical release.[7] His acting commitments thereafter also decreased, with notable appearances in the period including roles as a village chief in Thamizh Padam (2010) and characters in Venghai (2011) and the historical drama, Ponnar Shankar (2011).
In 2018, Ponnambalam took part in the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil hosted by Kamal Haasan. His stay in the house was controversial, as he was accused of making misogynistic comments against the female housemates, particularly against Yashika Aanand, Aishwarya Dutta, Mamathi Chari and Mumtaj and was nominated each week for the eviction from the second week of the show onwards.[8] He was evicted during the eighth week of the show during mid-August 2018.[9]
Ponnambalam joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in February 2011, beginning a career in politics.[10] He campaigned for the AIADMK party in the Indian general election of 2014.[11] In June 2017, he left the AIADMK and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan. On joining the party, Ponnambalam stated that no other party seemed "concerned about the welfare of people" and hence, he decided to join the BJP.[12][13]
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Kaliyugam | Prisoner | Tamil | |
| Moonnam Mura | Peter | Malayalam | ||
| Orkkapurathu | Malayalam | |||
| 1989 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Tamil | ||
| Vetri Vizha | Tamil | |||
| 1990 | Michael Madana Kama Rajan | Assassin 1 | Tamil | |
| 1991 | Vetri Padigal | Tamil | ||
| Pudhu Manithan | Tamil | |||
| Maanagara Kaaval | Tamil | |||
| Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum | Rogue | Tamil | ||
| 1992 | Naangal | Tamil | ||
| Gharana Mogudu | Veeraiyah | Telugu | ||
| Thangarasu | Tamil | |||
| Bharathan | Gangadharan's right hand | Tamil | ||
| Naalaya Seidhi | Tamil | |||
| Kottai Vaasal | Tamil | |||
| Senthamizh Paattu | Tamil | |||
| Ellaichami | Balayandi | Tamil | ||
| Samundi | Tamil | |||
| 1993 | Walter Vetrivel | Kabali | Tamil | |
| Maamiyar Veedu | Tamil | |||
| Allari Priyudu | Telugu | |||
| Pettredutha Pillai | Tamil | |||
| Vedan | Tamil | |||
| Mechanic Alludu | Telugu | |||
| Airport | Tamil | |||
| Kizhakke Varum Paattu | Kanmani's brother | Tamil | ||
| Sendhoorapandi | Ponnambalam | Tamil | ||
| 1994 | Mugguru Monagallu | Telugu | ||
| Honest Raj | Pandian | Tamil | ||
| Indhu | Veeraiyan | Tamil | ||
| Kambolam | Koppara | Malayalam | ||
| Chinna | Kannada | |||
| Thai Maaman | Tamil | |||
| Periya Marudhu | Senkodan | Tamil | ||
| Nattamai | Ponnambalam | Tamil | ||
| Nila | ||||
| 1995 | Coolie | Old Union Leader | Tamil | |
| Marumagan | Tamil | |||
| Gandhi Pirantha Mann | Tamil | |||
| Periya Kudumbam | Sundarapandi's first brother | Tamil | ||
| Muthu | Kaali | Tamil | ||
| Chandralekha | Mustafa | Tamil | ||
| Maaman Magal | Govindhan | Tamil | ||
| 1996 | Ghatak: Lethal | Fighter in the Ring | Hindi | Special Appearance |
| Rakshak | Daniyaal | Hindi | ||
| Indian | Tamil | |||
| Namma Ooru Raasa | Kangeya | Tamil | ||
| Senathipathi | Tamil | |||
| 1997 | Hitler | Rudraraju's brother | Telugu | Dubbed in Tamil as Tiger |
| Dharma Chakkaram | K. Singamuthu | Tamil | ||
| Mannava | Kabali | Tamil | ||
| Aravindhan | Tamil | |||
| Arunachalam | Ponnambalam | Tamil | ||
| Vallal | Uncle of Annam | Tamil | ||
| Adimai Changili | Tamil | |||
| Janakiraman | Tamil | |||
| Lady Commissioner | Kannada | |||
| 1998 | Pavitra Prema | M.L.A. Rayudu | Telugu | |
| Dharma | Khan | Tamil | ||
| Simmarasi | Police inspector | Tamil | ||
| Urimai Por | Marthandan | Tamil | ||
| Veeram Vilanja Mannu | Police inspector | Tamil | ||
| Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu | Tamil | |||
| 1999 | Thulladha Manamum Thullum | Tamil | ||
| Chinna Durai | Tamil | |||
| Ullathai Killathe | Tamil | |||
| Rajasthan | Tamil | |||
| Kummi Paattu | Tamil | |||
| Kanave Kalaiyadhe | Tamil | |||
| Amarkalam | Aasairaj | Tamil | ||
| Kannupada Poguthaiya | Tamil | |||
| Kanmani Unakkaga | Tamil | |||
| Azhagarsamy | Tamil | |||
| Mudhal Etcharikkai | Ponnambalam | Tamil | ||
| 2000 | Thirunelveli | Tamil | ||
| Mugavaree | Tamil | |||
| Thai Poranthachu | Dharma | Tamil | ||
| Sudhandhiram | Tamil | |||
| Vallarasu | Manikkam | Tamil | ||
| Pennin Manathai Thottu | Tamil | |||
| Maayi | Tamil | |||
| Krodh | Hindi | |||
| Nuvvu Vastavani | Telugu | |||
| Choosoddaam Randi | Tiger Dharma | Telugu | ||
| The Warrant | Malayalam | |||
| 2001 | Looty | Tamil | ||
| En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri | Santhamoorthy | Tamil | ||
| Eduruleni Manishi | Telugu | |||
| Sri Raja Rajeshwari | Tamil | |||
| Nayak | Rungaa | Hindi | Voiced by Manoj Pandey | |
| Thavasi | Kottai Perumal | Tamil | ||
| Azhagana Naatkal | Tamil | |||
| Kalakalappu | Tamil | |||
| Poove Pen Poove | Tamil | |||
| 2002 | Vivaramana Aalu | Subramani / Thotta | Tamil | |
| Raajjiyam | Tamil | |||
| Thamizh | Tamil | |||
| Bagavathi | Vibuthi Ganesan | Tamil | ||
| Gummalam | Tamil | |||
| Jaya | Tamil | |||
| Ammaiyappa | Ammaiyappan | Tamil | ||
| Chennakesava Reddy | Telugu | |||
| 2003 | Ramachandra | Kabali | Tamil | |
| Saamy | Corrupt Police Officer | Tamil | ||
| Thennavan | Tamil | |||
| Diwan | Tamil | |||
| Chokka Thangam | Tamil | |||
| Anjaneya | Veerapan | Tamil | ||
| Palnati Brahmanayudu | Telugu | |||
| Kiccha | Kannada | |||
| 2004 | Jai | Karuppu | Tamil | |
| Ghilli | Arivazhagan | Tamil | ||
| Arul | Tamil | |||
| Jana | Tamil | |||
| Arasatchi | Tamil | |||
| Giri | Tamil | |||
| Bose | Sivamani | Tamil | ||
| Aai | Tamil | |||
| Arumugasamy | Tamil | |||
| Super Da | Tamil | |||
| Pedababu | Rudra Raju | Telugu | ||
| Gudumba Shankar | Telugu | |||
| Koduku | Telugu | |||
| Suryam | Telugu | |||
| Gomathi Nayagam | Sevanthi's father | Tamil | ||
| 2005 | Devathaiyai Kanden | Tamil | ||
| Chinna | Chinna's friend | Tamil | ||
| Mannin Maindhan | Gajapathy | Tamil | ||
| Kannadi Pookal | Tamil | |||
| Annavaram | Telugu | |||
| Sevvel | Tamil | |||
| Gunna | Kannada | |||
| 2006 | Saravana | Tamil | ||
| Veerabhadra | Telugu | |||
| Suyetchai MLA | Tamil | |||
| Kalinga | Tamil | |||
| Prajapathi | Vanangamudi | Malayalam | ||
| Perarasu | Tamil | |||
| Varalaru | Divya's brother | Tamil | ||
| 2007 | Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen | Tamil | ||
| Aarya | Meesai Perumal | Tamil | ||
| Malaikottai | Tamil | |||
| Ennai Paar Yogam Varum | Tamil | |||
| Kaanal Neer | Tamil | |||
| Thiru Ranga | Tamil | |||
| Andaala Amitabh Bachchan | Telugu | |||
| Masti | Kannada | |||
| Police Story 2 | Kannada | |||
| 2008 | Pattaya Kelappu | Anandakrishnan | Tamil | Also director |
| Vaitheeswaran | Tamil | |||
| Aayudham Seivom | Tamil | |||
| Ezhuthiyatharadi | Pandi | Tamil | ||
| Theeyavan | Tamil | |||
| Arai En 305-il Kadavul | Tamil | |||
| Bujjigadu | Telugu | |||
| 2009 | Thee | Saleem | Tamil | |
| Madurai Sambavam | Tamil | |||
| Oru Kadhalan Oru Kadhali | Lingesu | Tamil | ||
| 2010 | Thamizh Padam | Nattamai | Tamil | |
| Thairiyam | Tamil | |||
| Innisai Kavalan | Tamil | |||
| Bayam Ariyaan | Tamil | |||
| Guru Sishyan | Tamil | |||
| Androru Naal | Tamil | |||
| Puzhal | Tamil | |||
| Aarvam | Tamil | |||
| Nagaram Marupakkam | 'Thala Vetti' Thangarasu | Tamil | ||
| Athisaya Manal Matha | Tamil | |||
| 2011 | Bhavani | Tamil | ||
| Ponnar Shankar | Thalapathi | Tamil | ||
| Venghai | Anburaja | Tamil | ||
| Mudhal Idam | Tamil | |||
| 2012 | Maasi | Nandha | Tamil | |
| Mattuthavani | Tamil | |||
| Ullam | Tamil | |||
| Arakkonam | Tamil | |||
| Virudhunagar Sandhippu | Tamil | |||
| 2013 | Keeripulla | Tamil | ||
| 2014 | Madhavanum Malarvizhiyum | Tamil | ||
| Adhu Vera Idhu Vera | Police Inspector | Tamil | ||
| 2016 | Enakku Innoru Per Irukku | Cameo appearance | Tamil | |
| Parandhu Sella Vaa | Ponnambalam | Tamil | ||
| 2017 | 12-12-1950 | Police Inspector | Tamil | |
| Aadu 2 | Mayilvahanam | Malayalam | ||
| 2018 | Pei Irukka Illaya | Tamil | ||
| Thulam | Tamil | |||
| 2019 | Comali | Gaaja | Tamil | |
| Chennai 2 Bangkok | Tamil | |||
| 2022 | Kaatteri | Ponnambalam | Tamil |
| Year | Film | Language |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Shankar Guru | Tamil |
| Per Sollum Pillai | Tamil | |
| Vairakkiyam | Tamil | |
| 1988 | Sathya | Tamil |
| En Thangai Kalyani | Tamil | |
| Puthiya Vaanam | Tamil | |
| Soora Samhaaram | Tamil | |
| Thaimel Aanai | Tamil | |
| Poovizhi Raja | Tamil | |
| Pattikaatu Thambi | Tamil | |
| Dhayam Onnu | Tamil | |
| Katha Nayagan | Tamil | |
| Kaliyugam | Tamil | |
| 1989 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Tamil |
| Padicha Pulla | Tamil | |
| Annanukku Jai | Tamil | |
| Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu | Tamil | |
| En Thangai | Tamil | |
| Vetri Mel Vetri | Tamil | |
| 1990 | Avasara Police 100 | Tamil |
| Sathriyan | Tamil | |
| Urudhi Mozhi | Tamil | |
| Raja Kaiya Vacha | Tamil | |
| My Dear Marthandan | Tamil | |
| 1991 | Captain Prabhakaran | Tamil |
| Maanagara Kaaval | Tamil | |
| Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum | Tamil |