Ganja Karuppu
Ganja Karuppu (born as Karuppu Raja Sudalaimuthu) is an Indian film actor who has predominantly appeared in comedy roles in Tamil cinema. After making his debut in Bala's Pithamagan (2003), Ganja Karuppu experienced success in the late 2000s with his roles in Raam (2005), Sivakasi (2005), Paruthiveeran (2007), Subramaniyapuram (2008) and Naadodigal (2009).
| Ganja Karuppu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Karuppu Raja [1] |
| Born | Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Career
Karuppu was introduced as an actor by director Bala in Pithamagan (2003) as a person who works in the ganja plantations. As a result of the role, he was thereafter credited in films as Ganja Karuppu.[2] In the 2000s, he subsequently was regularly cast in rural films by directors, working on notable films including Ameer's Raam (2005) and Paruthiveeran (2007), Sasikumar's Subramaniapuram (2008), Samuthirakani's Naadodigal (2009) and Sargunam's Kalavani (2010). During the period, he was also cast in the second lead role in Chimbudevan's Arai En 305-il Kadavul (2008) alongside Santhanam, produced by S Pictures.[3] The period of success meant that he was cast in the lead role of a film titled Mannar Valaikuda by Dhanasekaran. Despite making progress, the film about the plight of the fishermen community did not have a theatrical release.[4][5]
In 2012, Karuppu was set to enter Bollywood with a role in the Hindi remake of Samuthirakani's Poraali (2011), but the film eventually did not materialise. He had revealed that he would change his name to "Ganja Khan" for his stint in the Hindi film industry.[6] Karuppu chose to turn film producer with Velmurugan Borewells (2014) but the film went through production delays and had a low profile theatrical release, losing him a significant amount of money. Director Bala later criticised Karuppu for unnecessarily putting his acting career in jeopardy with the move.[7][8] Following a period away from notable films, Karuppu made a comeback with significant roles in S. J. Surya's as Isai (2015) and Dharma Durai (2016).[9]
In 2017, he participated in the first season of the Tamil reality television show Bigg Boss hosted by Kamal Haasan. After regularly clashing with fellow actor Bharani, he was evicted on day 14.
Personal life
He married Sangeetha, a physiotherapist, in January 2010 in a ceremony held in his home town of Nattarasankottai.[10][11] His first son was born in April 2011 in Madurai.[12] In 2013, he chose to adopt the expenses of five mentally ill people in Trichy.[13] Later in 2016, he announced his intentions of becoming a politician.[14]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Pithamagan | Ganja Kudukki |
| 2005 | Raam | Vazhavandhaan |
| Thirudiya Idhayathai | ||
| Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy | ||
| Sivakasi | Udayappa's sidekick | |
| Bambara Kannaley | ||
| Sandakozhi | ||
| 2006 | Kalvanin Kadhali | |
| Thirupathi | Muthu | |
| Kodambakkam | ||
| Unnakum Ennakum | Karuppiah | |
| Aran | ||
| Sivappathigaram | ||
| Kizhakku Kadalkarai Salai | Petrol Pump Employee | |
| Aacharya | Kokki | |
| 2007 | Thaamirabharani | Muthu |
| Paruthiveeran | Douglas | |
| Pirappu | ||
| Adavadi | ||
| Madurai Veeran | ||
| Thirumagan | ||
| Pasupathi c/o Rasakkapalayam | ||
| Azhagiya Thamizh Magan | ||
| Mirugam | Idi Thangi | |
| Nenjirukkum Varai | ||
| Palaniappa Kalloori | ||
| 2008 | Pirivom Santhippom | Karuppu |
| Pidichirukku | Esakki | |
| Vilaiyattu | ||
| Arai En 305-il Kadavul | Mokkai Swami | |
| Inba | ||
| Pandi | Thalaiathi | |
| Subramaniapuram | Kaasi | |
| Uliyin Osai | Soodamani | |
| Thenavattu | Vellaiyan | |
| Panchamirtham | Muthu | |
| 2009 | A Aa E Ee | |
| Kadhalna Summa Illai | ||
| Naadodigal | Maariyappan | |
| Vaigai | Jeevarasi | |
| Engal Aasan | Yogiyan | |
| Malayan | ||
| Malai Malai | Karuppu | |
| Aarupadai | Karuppu Raja | |
| Aarumaname | Periyasamy and Chinnasamy | |
| Suriyan Satta Kalloori | Idithangi | |
| Yogi | 'Stills' Mani | |
| Mathiya Chennai | ||
| Balam | Altap Arumugam | |
| 2010 | Maanja Velu | Bhooshan |
| Kathai | ||
| Aval Peyar Thamizharasi | Othappuli | |
| Kutti Pisasu | Karuppu | |
| Kattradhu Kalavu | ||
| Pen Singam | ||
| Kalavani | Panchayathu | |
| Vamsam | Sombhu Mani | |
| Sindhu Samaveli | ||
| Irandu Mugam | ||
| Ochayee | Azhagar | |
| Aarvam | ||
| Vallakottai | Veera Sangili | |
| Magizchi | Rasappan | |
| Siddu | Monnaiyan | |
| 2011 | Thambikottai | |
| Sankarankovil | Killi Pillai | |
| Venghai | Ganesan | |
| Puli Vesham | ||
| Aayiram Vilakku | Tyson | |
| Keezhatheru Kichaa | ||
| Thambi Vettothi Sundaram | ||
| Konjam Sirippu Konjam Kobam | ||
| Poraali | Pulikutti | |
| 2012 | Medhai | |
| Oru Nadigaiyin Vaakkumoolam | Arokkiyasamy | |
| Soozhnilai | ||
| Kondaan Koduthaan | ||
| Mazhaikaalam | ||
| Sooriyanagaram | ||
| Ooh La La La | Iron Shop | |
| Mayanginen Thayanginen | ||
| Mirattal | ||
| Mayilu | ||
| Kai | ||
| Akilan | ||
| 2013 | Naangaam Pirai | |
| Vellachi | ||
| Keeripulla | ||
| Vetkathai Kettal Ennai Tharuvaai | ||
| Chikki Mukki | ||
| Thirumathi Thamizh | ||
| Orissa (Malayalam) | ||
| Sokkali | ||
| Nugam | ||
| Muthu Nagaram | ||
| Chithirayil Nilachoru | ||
| Kolaagalam | ||
| Sandhithathum Sindhithathum | ||
| 2014 | Kalvanin Kadhali | |
| Adhu Vera Idhu Vera | ||
| Amara | ||
| Gantharvan | ||
| Vetri Selvan | ||
| Kangaroo | ||
| Velmurugan Borewell | Also producer | |
| Appuchi Gramam | ||
| 2015 | Isai | |
| Paranjothi | ||
| Lailaa O Lailaa (Malayalam) | Auto driver | |
| Maharani Kottai | ||
| Madhura Naranga (Malayalam) | Sri Lankan Tamil tourist guide | |
| Savaale Samaali | ||
| 2016 | Sowkarpettai | |
| Chandi Kuthirai | ||
| Dharma Durai | Compounder | |
| 2017 | Unnai Thottu Kolla Vaa | |
| Thondan | Xavier | |
| Paakanum Pola Irukku | ||
| Ullam Ullavarai | ||
| Kurangu Bommai | Viji's brother | |
| Gilli Bambaram Goli | ||
| Kida Virundhu | ||
| Kalavadiya Pozhudugal | Gnanam | |
| 2018 | Nimir | |
| Kannakkol | ||
| Kasu Mela Kasu | ||
| Sandakozhi 2 | ||
| Bayangaramana Aalu | ||
| Piraanmalai | ||
| 2019 | Thanimai | |
| Kadhal Munnetra Kazhagam | ||
| Oviyavai Vitta Yaru | ||
| Vannakili Bharathi | ||
| Kalavani 2 | Panchayathu | |
| Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu 2 | Paandi | |
| 2020 | Irumbu Manithan | Munikannu |
| Kombu |
- Television
- Bigg Boss Tamil 1 – Evicted Day 14 (2017) (Contestant)
References
- "Ganja Karuppu Interview". Uyirmmai (in Tamil). Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- "Parotta Pakoda Thakkali Thenga". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Ganja karuppu arai en 305 il kadavul Subramaniapuram ram Ram comedy actor ganja karuppu pirivom santhippom stills picture image gallery". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Ayngaran International". Ayngaran.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Can Ganja Karupu replace Vadivelu?". Sify.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Ayngaran International". Ayngaran.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Bala speech about comedian Ganja Karuppu at the Thondan audio launch". Behindwoods.com. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Now, Ganja Karuppu is a producer!". Sify.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Noted comedy actor to join AIADMK – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Ganja Karuppu weds Sangeetha – Tamil Movie News – Ganja Karuppu – Sangeetha – Nattarasan Kottai – Bala – Ameer – Seeman – Behindwoods.com". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Wedding bells for Ganja Karuppu". Sify.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "Ganja Karuppu, The Proud Dad – Ganja Karuppu – Tamil Movie News – Behindwoods.com". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- Prasad, G. (5 February 2012). "'Ganja' Karuppu adopts five mentally ill persons". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- "A comedian with a serious message". Thehindu.com. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2018.