Pasupathy (born 18 May 1969) is an Indian actor. He appeared in critically acclaimed roles in many noted films in Tamil cinema, playing supporting, antagonistic, comedic as well as protagonistic roles. He has won a Tamil Nadu State Film Award and Two Filmfare Awards South.

His performance in E (2006) earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain. He also won an ITFA Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Kuselan (2008). He has also appeared in Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada films.

Early life

Pasupathy Ramasamy was born on 18 May 1969, to Ramasamy Aarsuthiyaar at Vannandurai, a southern neighbourhood Chennai, India in a Kallar (Thevar) family. In 1984, he joined the Chennai-based theatre group "Koothu-P-Pattarai" where he was there till 1997. He studied and grew up there till he started to act in films. He became friends with actor Nassar who was in the film institute and later joined the Koothu-P-Pattarai. Thirumangalakottai in Thanjavur, a village from which their family originates.

Career

Pasupathy started his career as a radio jockey and a newsreader. He also acted in many television serials before entering the film industry. Pasupathy made his debut with House Full in 1999. This was a Tamil action thriller directed by R. Parthiban. In this film he played the role of a corrupt cop.

When he was working in Marudhanayagam, Nassar asked him whether he was interested in films. Pasupathy was then introduced to Kamal Haasan and he was given the villain role in Marudhanayagam. Pasupathy stated "That was the first time I was before the camera". Marudhanayagam was shelved and Nasser's Mayan which he was also part of was his first release.

Pasupathy plays an LTTE commander in Mani Ratnam directorial Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). He got his first major recognised role in Virumaandi (2004). He later began appearing in negative roles in a number of films such as Sullan (2004), Madhurey (2004) and Thirupaachi (2005). He later branched out into comedy with Mumbai Xpress (2005) and Majaa (2005). His first lead role was in the National Film Award winning film Veyyil (2006).

Pasupathy has indeed made an impression in Malayalam with his earlier roles in films like Big B (2007) and Vairam: Fight For Justice (2009). After a break he returns to Mollywood playing the lead for the movie No. 66 Madhura Bus (2012).

He further played lead roles in Raman Thediya Seethai (2008), in which he appeared as a blind radio jockey, and Kuselan in which he was seen as a village barber. In Aravaan (2012), a period-based action drama, he played Kombhoodhi, the warrior head of a village in the 18th century, for which he had trained at the gym for six months. He appeared in different roles in many hit films. His performances in supporting characters, mostly as an antagonist, were appreciated most of the time by the audiences.

He acted in an independent English film called The Last Vision (2012), made by youngsters from Kerala for festivals. His role in the 2013 Tamil film Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara won critical accolades. In 2014, Pasupathy played Aditya Karikalan in a theatrical adaptation of Ponniyin Selvan. He playing the role of a lawyer in the bilingual psychological thriller Ma Chu Ka (2017). He has joined Vetrimaaran’s Asuran in 2019.

In the sports action film Sarpatta Parambarai (2021), Pasupathy takes on the role of Rangan, a boxing instructor who runs a clan. Pasupathy's character is a seasoned coach and a former boxer who mentors the protagonist. Pasupathy's portrayal received praise for the authenticity and depth, he brought to the character. He acted in the lead role as constable in the comedy drama Thandatti (2023). He was cast in the supporting role in Pa. Ranjith's Thangalaan (2024). Pasupathy plays Veeran in the Telugu epic science fiction Kalki 2898 AD (2024).

Filmography

Tamil films

Other language films

Theatre

Streaming television

References

External links

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