Mahanadi Shankar

Mahanadi Shankar is an Indian actor and stuntman who has appeared in Tamil language films and television serials, playing mostly supporting and negative roles. He has starred in films such as Mahanadhi, Baashha (1995), Ratchagan (1997), Amarkkalam (1999), and Dheena (2001). The success of the former film meant that he used the title as a prefix to his stage name.

Career Shankar was introduced to the film industry initially as a stuntman and action choreographer in 1986. He focused on fight sequences in film portions while working as a stuntman from 1986 to 1993. He worked as an assistant to established stunt masters, including FEFSI Vijayan, Vikram Dharma, and Raju Sundaram during this time.

Shankar received the opportunity to act in the film Mahanadhi (1994) through his stunt master guru Vikram Dharma, who pushed Shankar to the core. It was Vikram Dharma who convinced Shankar to gain weight in order to make a noteworthy appearance in the film. By this time, Shankar weighed only 66 kilograms (143 pounds), and within three months, he had pushed it to 82 kilograms (180 pounds) in order to cash in on the opportunity to act in the film. Following his notable performance, he has worked in several Tamil films in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s as a supporting actor, often as an antagonist or a comic villain.

In the film Dheena (2001), Shankar referred to the film's lead actor Ajith Kumar as "Thala" in a song. Subsequently, Ajith was called "Thala" by all his fans. He made a reunion with Ajith after a gap of 22 years with the film Thunivu (2023), in which he played a police constable.

Filmography

Amma Vanthachu (1992) Singaravelan (1992) Mahanadhi (1994) Namma Annachi (1994) Vanaja Girija (1994) Aasai (1995) Baashha (1995) En Pondatti Nallava (1995) Ragasiya Police (1995) Indian (1996) Panchalankurichi (1996) Senathipathi (1996) Vaazhga Jananayagam (1996) Vishwanath (1996) Abhimanyu (1997) Pagaivan (1997) Pasamulla Pandiyare (1997) Ratchagan (1997) Thadayam (1997) Golmaal (1998) Dhinamdhorum (1998) Veeram Vilanja Mannu (1998) Pudhumai Pithan (1998) Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999) Amarkkalam (1999) Adutha Kattam (1999) Malabar Police (1999) Unnai Thedi (1999) Kann Thirandhu Paaramma (2000) Manu Needhi (2000) Dheena (2001) Dosth (2001) Alli Thandha Vaanam (2001) Alli Arjuna (2002) Red (2002) Amaiyappan (2002) Charlie Chaplin (2002) Ivan (2002) Shree (2002) Arputham (2002) Maaran (2002) Game (2002) Ramanaa (2002) Ramachandra (2003) Naam (2003) Galatta Ganapathy (2003) Anjaneya (2003) as Kulithalai Samy Ottran (2003) Gajendra (2004) Arasatchi (2004) Giri (2004) Jaisurya (2004) Jananam (2004) Iyer IPS (2005) Sukran (2005) Chanakya (2005) Mazhai (2005) Kusthi (2006) Vanjagan (2006) Perarasu (2006) Vathiyar (2006) Thottal Poo Malarum (2007) Thiru Ranga (2007) Marudhamalai (2007) Kannamoochi Yenada (2007) Tharagu (2008) Vasool (2008) Siva Manasula Sakthi (2009) Brahmadeva (2009) Sirithal Rasipen (2009) Engal Aasan (2009) Sindhanai Sei (2009) Vedappan (2009) Munnar (2009) Sura (2010) Tamizh Padam (2010) Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012) Mirattal (2012) Etho Seithai Ennai (2012) Aachariyangal (2012) Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013) Amara (2014) Vellaikaara Durai (2014) Yaamirukka Bayamey (2014) Kalkandu (2014) Vindhai (2015) Eli (2015) Vandha Mala (2015) Veera Sivaji (2016) Vaaliba Raja (2016) Sutta Pazham Sudatha Pazham (2016) Jackson Durai (2016) Azhahendra Sollukku Amudha (2016) Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva (2017) Julieum 4 Perum (2017) Senjittale En Kadhala (2017) Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen (2017) Padaiveeran (2018) Irumbu Thirai (2018) Dev (2019) Shree Atharvana Prathyangira (2019; Kannada) 100 (2019) Jackpot (2019) Petromax (2019) Butler Balu (2019) Sollunganne Sollunga (2020) Chithirame Solladi (2020) Master (2021) Parris Jeyaraj (2021) IPC 376 (2021) Gulu Gulu (2022) Thunivu (2023) Pallu Padama Paathukka (2023) Kulasami (2023) Jailer (2023) Tha Naa (2024) Uyir Thamizhukku (2024) Kadaisi Ulaga Por (2024) Maargan (2025) Good Bad Ugly (2025) as a narrator Gandhi Kannadi (2025; uncredited) Lucky the Superstar (2026) Sandakkari (2026; unreleased) Leader (2026)

Television Year Title Role Channel 2013–2015 Nadhaswaram Neliandavar Sun TV 2018 MayaPasupathi (Saalappaa)Nandini SathyanarayanSun TV Udaya TV2020–2024Vanathai PolaSankarapandiSun TV2024–PresentAnnamSaamydurai