Rajendran
A. Rajendran,[1](born 1 June 1957) credited as Motta Rajendran or Naan Kadavul Rajendran, is an Indian stunt double and actor working mainly in Tamil cinema. He debuted in 2003 with the Tamil film Pithamagan and has worked as a stunt double for over 500 South Indian films since then. He played the role of a villain in Naan Kadavul (2009) and has continued to play villainous and later humorous supporting characters in a number of Tamil films.[2] He is noted for his rough voice and alopecia universalis, which he claims was the result of coming into contact with industrial waste during a stunt sequence.[3][4]
Motta Rajendran | |
|---|---|
 Rajendran at the Vilaasam Press Meet | |
| Born | 1 June 1957[1] |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Naan Kadavul Rajendran, Mottai Rajendran |
| Occupation(s) | Stunt double, actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1978-present |
Career
Rajendran began his film career working as a stunt double in over hundreds of south Indian films mostly in Tamil films.
He played a small but significant role in Pithamagan (2003) and made his full-fledged acting debut as a Villain in Naan Kadavul (2009).[2][5] His performance as a cruel leader who tortures beggars earned critical acclaim with a critic noting that he is "menacing and loathsome".[6] Following his villainous comedy role in Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010), he says he was typecast in similar roles.[2][5] His appearance as a killer who dons the garb of women in Thirudan Police (2014) was appreciated by critics as "the ultimate showstealer and his already popular lady makeover clinches it big time".[7] His first release in 2015 was Darling, where he appeared as the ghostbuster Ghost Gopal Varma.[5] The Times of India wrote, "His bald head, thin figure and sandpapery voice make him effective for both villainous and comical roles but from the screams and whistles that his character gets, it is clear that he has made much more impact as a comedian".[8] His second release of the year was Ivanuku Thannila Gandam (2015), where he appeared as a murderer. Before its release, Rajendran's presence in the film's promotional videos received a positive response.[5][9] The film was released to negative reviews, though Rajendran's performance was appreciated by critics, one of whom noted that "the film belongs to Rajendran as he comes out with his trademark dialogue delivery [...] and carries the entire film".[10][11]
Filmography
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Tamil films
Malayalam films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Tokyo Nagarathile Viseshangal | Thug | |
| 2001 | Randam Bhavam |
Goon | |
| 2002 | Thandavam | Shankar Das's Henchman | Uncredited role |
| 2016 | Sivapuram | ||
| 2018 | Street Lights | Surya | |
| Odiyan | Odiyan doppelgänger | ||
| 2019 | Love Action Drama | SI Rajendran | |
| Kamala | Thoothukudi Raja |
Telugu films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Lakshmi Narasimha | Henchman | Uncredited |
| Gudumba Shankar | Henchman | Uncredited | |
| Sakhiya | |||
| 2005 | Sri | ||
| 2007 | Athidi | Henchman | |
| 2018 | Chalo | Senior Veeramuthu | |
| 2019 | Chikati Gadilo Chithakotudu | Gopal Varma | |
| 2022 | Sammathame | Assistant of Music Director | |
| F3 | Gudivada Gurunatham | ||
| 2023 | Waltair Veerayya | Gundu Mani | |
| Sir | 'Boothu' Bhushanam | ||
| Vimanam | Balaraju | [19] |
Kannada films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Naayaka | Nagappa | |
| 2017 | Kolara |
Hindi films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Ghajini | Goon |
References
- "Stunt accident left him hairless – and with plenty of roles". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- S. R. Ashok Kumar (5 December 2010). "My First Break". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- "Stunt accident left him hairless – and with plenty of roles". The Times of India. 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- "பல ஆண்டுகள் ரகசியத்தை உடைத்த மொட்டை ராஜேந்திரன்!!". Samayam Tamil. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Rajendran turns hot as comedian!". Sify. 31 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- "Reality hits you hard -- Naan Kadavul". The Hindu. 13 February 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- "Thirudan Police Movie Review". Behindwoods.com. 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- "Darling Movie Review". The Times of India. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- "Rajendran a Big Asset for Ivanuku Thannila Gandam". NDTV.com. 21 February 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- "Ivanuku Thannila Gandam Movie Review: Rajendran Saves The Day But Only Just!". Filmibeat.com. 13 March 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- "Review: Ivanuku Thanila Gandam". Sify. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- "Rajini, Kamal win best actor awards". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 29 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
The best villain award was given to Rajendran ('Naan Kadavul');
- "Rajendran- Best Actor in Supporting Role Male Nominee". Filmfare Awards. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- "Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's Kannitheevu to premiere directly on TV". The Times of India. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's Kannitheevu, which also has Subhiksha, Aishwarya Dutta, Motta Rajendran, Livingston and Ashna Zaveri in lead roles, has opted for a direct release on television.
- B, Jayabhuvaneshwari (6 March 2023). "Kannitheevu to get a direct TV premiere". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- "'Ghosty' teaser: Kajal Aggarwal to play a dual role in this bizarre horror". The Times of India. 31 October 2022. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
'Ghosty' has a stellar star cast as KS Ravikumar, Raadhika, Redin Kingsley, Thangadurai, Jagan, Urvashi, Adukalam Naren, Mano Bala, Mottai Rajendran, Mayilswamy, and Devardarshini among others plays essential roles, while Sam CS is scoring the music.
- Darshan, Navein (21 March 2023). "Aari's Ellam Mela Irukuravan Paathupan to premiere directly on TV". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- "Rayar Parambarai Movie Review: A rudderless talkathon in the guise of comedy". Cinema Express. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- Today, Telangana (19 May 2023). "Vimanam Teaser | Samuthirakani | Anasuya Bharadwaj | Meera Jasmine". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.