Ilavarasu

Ilavarasu is an Indian actor and cinematographer who works in the Tamil film industry. He started his career as a cinematographer and worked for 13 films, winning a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for one of them. He later became known as an actor after appearing in pivotal roles in Bharathiraja's and Cheran's films. He starred in over 160 Tamil films, playing supporting, comedic, and antagonistic roles.

Early life He was born on 28 August 1964 in Melur, a town in Madurai district, present-day Tamil Nadu. His father P. Malaichamy served as a Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly during 1967-76 on behalf of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Malaichamy was also one of the DMK members jailed during the 1975-77 Indian Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).

Career Ilavarasu's debut film was to have been the unproduced Tamil film Top Tucker, and instead became Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1984). He later worked in Bharathiraja's 1987 film Vedham Pudhithu.

He worked as an assistant to B. Kannan for the films Knock-Out (1992), Nadodi Thendral (1992), Captain Magal (1993), Karuthamma (1994) and Pasumpon (1995). He was credited as one of the main cinematographers for the latter four films although he worked as an assistant cinematographer. The actor has shared screen with many actors in his career. Ilavarasu has played many versatile characters and has entertained the fans with his humour sense. He has also played villain roles in a few films. A few memorable roles of him include Bagavathi (2002), Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006), Kalavani (2010), Lingaa (2014), Kanaa (2018) and NGK (2019).

In addition to his film career, Ilavarasu has also ventured into television, appearing in the 2022 series Anandha Ragam on Sun TV.

Filmography As an actor Tamil films Year Title Role Notes 1985 Muthal Mariyathai Photographer Idaya Kovil Shankar's friend Oru Kaidhiyin Diary Crowd member Uncredited role Padaiyaanda Maaveeraa Inspector Muthuramalingam Idli Kadai Ramarajan 2026 Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil Ilavarasu Thaai Kizhavi Gold Kumar Vengeance CM Velu TN 2026 Treasurer

Other language films Year Title Role Language Notes 2012 Ozhimuri Vaidyan Malayalam 2013 Pattam Pole Karthik's uncle 2017 Mayaanadhi Police Inspector Ilavarasu 2022 Jana Gana Mana Anbumani 2024 Max Ravanan Kannada 2025 Thudarum Ilavarasu Malayalam Kalamkaval Nandhakumar

Television Year Title Role ChannelNotes2022 Anandha Ragam Shanmugavel Sun TV Extended Guest Appearance 2025-present Nadu Center Kaali's father JioHotstar

As cinematographer YearFilmNotes 1996 Panchalankurichi 1997 Periya Thambi 1998 Ninaithen Vandhai Iniyavale 1999 Manam Virumbuthe Unnai Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer 2000 Veeranadai Sabhash Eazhaiyin Sirippil 2001 Love Marriage 2009 Ajantha Multilingual film 2010 Sura Uncredited; assistant cinematographer

As dubbing artist YearFilmActorNotes 1994 Karuththamma Ponvannan 1996 Panchalankurichi Mahanadi Shankar