Vaiyapuri

Vaiyapuri (born 23 October 1968 as Ramakrishnan) is an Indian actor who has worked in Tamil-language films. He rose to fame by appearing in supporting roles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, often portraying supporting comedic characters. His first major role was in Balu Mahendra's Raman Abdullah, while his roles in films including Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999), Gemini (2002) and Mani Ratnam's Raavanan (2010) also garnered him acclaim.

Career In December 1986, Vaiyapuri moved from his hometown of Theni to Chennai hoping to become an actor in the Tamil film industry. Unable to immediately get a chance in films because of his skinny physical stature, he worked as a bearer at a hotel on Mount Road. Vaiyapuri's first break came through television serials on Doordarshan, where he notably worked on an adaptation of Sujatha's Kolaiyuthir Kalam. He started his film career appearing as an extra and then in minor roles in films, before making a breakthrough with his role in Balu Mahendra's comedy film Raman Abdullah (1997). The success of the film prompted several film makers to approach him for comedic roles in their projects, with the actor subsequently winning acclaim for his roles in Kadhal Palli (1997) and Kaathala Kaathala (1998), where he collaborated with actor Kamal Haasan. In the late 1990s, he continued appearing as a supporting actor, often portraying one of the several comedians in a film. His work in Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999), where he portrayed a comedic role of a man slowly becoming a transgender woman, won him further critical acclaim.

Throughout his career, Vaiyapuri has often appeared in films starring Kamal Haasan and the actor selected Vaiyapuri for a major supporting role in the actor's Mumbai Xpress (2005). Vaiyapuri was later cast as a transgender woman in Mani Ratnam's Raavanan (2010), which he described as a "major turning point" in his career. He shot for the film alongside an ensemble cast including Vikram and Aishwarya Rai, with the film winning critical acclaim upon release. In 2010, he announced that he was set to play the protagonist in a film directed by newcomer Devindiran, while he had also shot for a Malayalam film titled Kalyanamam Kalyanam where he portrayed the second lead. However neither film eventually had a theatrical release. In the 2010s, Vaiyapuri was cast in less films as the Tamil film industry generally moved away from including separate comedy tracks in films. He has since worked on more low-budget films in supporting roles, while continuing to regularly collaborate in films starring Kamal Haasan such as Uttama Villain (2015) and Papanasam (2015).

In 2017, Vaiyapuri received media attention for taking part in the reality television show Bigg Boss hosted by Kamal Haasan. After spending 84 days in the house, he was evicted in a poll by the public.

Filmography Tamil films Year Title Role Notes1994 Karuththamma Bus conductor Mani Rathnam 1995 Chellakannu Barber Ilaya Ragam 1996 Avvai Shanmughi Flower decorator 1997 Love Today Kadhal Palli Palli Raasi Narikuravar Raman Abdullah Aahaa..! Ullaasam Gopalu 1998 Kaadhale Nimmadhi Blind beggar Maru Malarchi Palli Dhinamdhorum Kaadhala Kaadhala Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi Jolly Govind Harichandra Muthu Sandhippoma Hospital patient Kalyana Galatta Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Delhi Sollamale Painter Kannedhirey Thondrinal Dinesh Senthooram 1999 Thullatha Manamum Thullum Kalyanasundaram aka Kalyani Ninaivirukkum Varai Kallazhagar Govindankutti Unnai Thedi Vaiyapuri Chinna Raja Periyanna Prisoner Poomagal Oorvalam Muniyandi Suyamvaram Potential groom Nee Varuvai Ena Amarkkalam Mani Anbulla Kadhalukku Vengaipuli Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga Gun Pandi Maanaseega Kadhal Ooty Vaiyapuri Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum Time Servant Unnaruge Naan Irundhal Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham Jambulingam Hello Chandru's friend 2000 Good Luck Hey Ram Vedha Sudhandhiram Thai Poranthachu Pennin Manathai Thottu Mute servant Simmasanam Thangarasu's friend Rhythm Umbrella salesman Ilaiyavan Uyirile Kalanthathu Siva's assistant Priyamaanavale Stepnee Anbudan Sathya's friend Ennavalle Charles Parthen Rasithen Bus driver 2001 Paarvai Ondre Podhume Guru Dumm Dumm Dumm Saami Dhill Udumalai Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala Poovellam Un Vasam Durai Veettoda Mappillai Dhamu Kadal Pookkal Majunu Vasanth's friend Vadagupatti Maapillai Piriyadha Varam Vendum Sanjay's friend 2002 Pammal K. Sambandam Dili Alli Arjuna Meenatchi Gemini Oberoi Ezhumalai Marriage Broker's assistant Nettru Varai Nee Yaaro Raja Onan Naina En Mana Vaanil Azhagusundaram Arputham Ashok's friend Style Manikkam 2003 Military Manasellam Bala's friend Nala Damayanthi Ramji's cousin Aahaa Ethanai Azhagu Alaudin Alaudin's friend Vani Mahal Kadhaludan Marriage broker Parasuram Anjali's uncle Anbe Un Vasam Hussain Enakku 20 Unakku 18 Train passenger 2004 Jai College Student Adi Thadi Arul Arul's friend Jana Jana's servant Maanasthan Vasool Raja MBBS Piles Patient Arasatchi Soosai Attahasam Kumbudren Saamy Vishwa Thulasi M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi Velu Super Da 2005 Thirupaachi Police Constable Kadhal Seiya Virumbu Dharma Kadhal FM Inspector Arputha Theevu Vaiyapuri Mumbai Xpress Johnson Sivakasi Sivakasi's childhood friend Kannamma Priyasakhi 2006 Idhaya Thirudan Vanjagan Ravi Vattaram Burma's sidekick Prathi Gnayiru 9 Manimudhal 10.30 Varai Police officer Azhagiya Asura 2007 Pokkiri Thamizh's friend Deepavali Villager Nanbanin Kadhali Adavadi Michael Urchagam Bhai Vasantham Vanthachu Somu Vel Mokkasami Machakaaran Vicky's friend 2008 Sadhu Miranda Kapoor Tharagu Dasavathaaram Prabhu Pandi Thief Kuselan Kuppusamy's assistant Nayagan Nadigai Thiruvannamalai Thumbi Singaram 2009 Villu Pugazh's friend Mayandi Kudumbathar Unnai Kann Theduthe Rudhra's friend Naalai Namadhe Munnar Kanagavel Thee Rajapandiyan's sidekick 2010 Thunichal Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam Viruma Kola Kolaya Mundhirika Constable Rajappan Kanagavel Kaaka Karuppu Raavanan Raasathi Indrasena Chikku Bukku Singaram Unakkaga En Kadhal Tata Birla Androru Naal Neethana Avan Venus 2011 Kaavalan Bhoomi's friend Muthukku Muthaaga Maapillai Sabash Sariyana Potti En Ullam Unnai Theduthey Vellore Maavattam Velayudham Speed's brother Osthe Police Constable Aduthathu 2012 Ullam Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam Neighbour 2013 Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA Ragalaipuram Insurance policy agent Alex Pandian Nandu 2014 Enna Satham Indha Neram Malayali tea stall owner Bramman Police inspector Thirudan Police Guest appearance Vellaikaara Durai Land Broker Amara Ninaivil Nindraval Nenjirukkumvarai Ninaivirukkum 2015 Uttama Villain Snake charmer Papanasam Restaurant Owner Maharani Kottai Dhanakodi Adhibar Bobby Savaale Samaali 2016 Narathan Baskar's assistant Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran Constable Vasanthakumar Vellikizhamai 13am Thethi Saravanan's friend Vendru Varuvaan Thirumaal Perumai Andaman 2017 Aarambamey Attakasam Veera Vamsam 2018 Kalakalappu 2 Sathyamoorthy Pakka Annanuku Jai Narayanan 2019 Oviyavai Vitta Yaru En Kaadhali Scene Podura Market Raja MBBS Demo Patient 2020 Routtu 2021 Pei Mama Operation JuJuPi Politician 2022 Yutha Satham Ambi Viruman Auctioneer Kanam Auto driver Maari Riya - The Haunted House Aattral Traffic Police Powder Saamy 2023 Thalaikoothal Transgender demigod Jambu Maharishi Kick Ad council chief Leo Astrologer Kapil Returns License Head constable Va Varalam Va 2024 Local Sarakku Film director Petta Rap Janaki's uncle Paraman Sivanandi 2025 Otha Votu Muthaiya Kadaisi Thotta Midhun Yaman Kattalai Thug Life Midhun Desingu Raja 2 Krishna Others Ganesan Kaantha Selvam 2026 Vangala Viriguda Aazhi TN 2026 Alcoholic Theeyor Koodam Selvam

Other language films Year Title Role Language Notes 2005 Kochi Rajavu Vaiyapuri Malayalam 2008 Keka Police Inspector Telugu 2010 Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Malayalam 2019 Love Action Drama Doctor

Television