Y. G. Mahendran

Y. G. Mahendran (born 9 January 1950) is an Indian dramatist, actor, singer, playwright and comedian from the state of Tamil Nadu. He has acted in a number of plays and films. He is the son of Y. G. Parthasarathy, one of the pioneers of modern Tamil drama and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, founder and dean of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools, and nephew of veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balaji. Mahendra is also the cousin of actress Vyjayanthimala[1] and the co-brother of Rajinikanth and Mohanlal.

Y. G. Mahendran
Born
Y G Mahendran

(1950-01-09) 9 January 1950
Madras (now Chennai), Madras State, India
Occupation
  • Dramatist
  • Actor
  • Singer
  • Playwright
Years active1970 – present
Spouse(s)Sudha (m. 1975-present)
ChildrenHarshavardhan Madhuvanti Arun
Parent(s)
RelativesSee Vyjayanthimala family

Early life and family

Y. G. Mahendran was born on 9 January 1950[2][3] to Y. G. Parthasarathy and Y. G. Rajalakshmi. Y. G. P. founded the United Amateur Artists (UAA), one of the first drama companies in Madras city, in the year 1952.[4] His drama company was a success and he emerged as one of the foremost dramatists of his era. Mahendra's mother Mrs. Rajalakshmi (also called Mrs. Y.G.P.) was the founder of the Padma Seshadri Group of Schools. Starting from modest beginnings in a thatched shed in the terrace of the Y.G.P. home in 1959 with a batch of eleven students as an act of social service for the members of the Nungambakkam Recreation Club the school has since emerged as one of the best schools in India.

Hailing from a family of stage-lovers, Mahendra soon developed a liking for drama from his early days. He played the part of comedian in school plays and earned acclaim. On completion of his schooling from Don Bosco Egmore, he studied Chemical Engineering at A. C. College of Technology, Univ. Madras, Guindy and MBA.[5] During his college days, he was touted as a prospective film actor. He was in his early teens when he joined his father's drama troupe, the United Amateur Artists (UAA). This gave him the desired break. His first few plays were huge successes attracting audiences by thousands. Mahendra's name had become one of the prominent names in the city. Eventually, he had to choose between acting and his career and he chose the former.

Y.G. Mahendran's daughter Madhuvanti is married to actor Gemini Ganesan and actress Savitri's grandson, V. Arunkumar.

Career

In 1971, Mahendra was cast by veteran director K. Balachander in the latter's film Navagraham. The film was an average grosser. Mahendra was discovered to have a nasal accent which made him funny. He acted in a variety of roles in a number of movies – particularly as a dim witted fool of a cousin – generally eclipsing roles enjoyed by Cho Ramaswamy in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mahendra's career spans over four decades and involves more than 200 movies. He also acted in supporting roles with actors such as Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan and his brother-in-law, Rajinikanth. He acted with Rajinikanth in films such as Pokkiri Raja, Paayum Puli, Shri Raghavendra and Veera and with Kamal Hassan in movies such as Apoorva Raagangal, Neeya, Guru, etc.

Controversies

Speech on CAA

Mahendra made reference to the ongoing Citizenship Amendment Act protests across India and the involvement of the student community and said the students go to the protests because they can get a leave on the day and they can cause ruckus and to check out the women standing in the crowd. His statements were criticized by different sections on social media.[6] Singer Chinmayi said, "Comments from men such as Y. G. Mahendran has to be brushed aside, because it's a waste of time speaking about them.[7][8]

Business

Y.Gee, thanks to his brother in law, also began a parallel career in industrial ceramics and had a flourishing company established in 1982 – by which period his acting career thinned down and he became more preoccupied with his business.

Y.Gee sold his ceramics business in 2001 for a whopping sum and has made a comeback into production and acting.

Partial filmography

Films

Year Film Language Role
1970NavagrahamTamilAnumanthu
1971Nootrukku NooruTamil
1973GauravamTamil
1974Dheerga SumangaliTamil
1974Dikkatra ParvathiTamil
1975Uravukku Kayi KoduppamTamil
1975Anbe AaruyireTamil
1976Idhaya MalarTamil
1976Manmadha LeelaiTamil
1977Ilaya ThalaimuraiTamilBalbeer Singh
1978Shankar Salim SimonTamil
1979Adukku MalliTamil
1979Annai Oru AalayamTamil
1980GuruTamil
1980Ilayarajavin RasigaiTamil
1980Murattu KalaiTamil
1981Raja PaarvaiTamil
1981Ellam InbamayyamTamil
1981SavaalTamilJohny
1981KazhuguTamil
1982Moondram PiraiTamil
1982Simla SpecialTamil
1982ThyagiTamil
1982Rani TheniTamil
1982Paritchaikku NeramaachuTamil
1982Theerpugal ThiruththapadalamTamil
1982Vaa Kanna VaaTamil
1982Sagalakala VallavanTamil
1982SangiliTamil
1982Adhisaya PiravigalTamil
1983SattamTamilM. L. Anandharaman
1983OomakkuyilMalayalam
1983Miruthanga ChakravarthiTamil
1983Vellai RojaTamil
1983Sivappu SooriyanTamil
1983Uruvangal MaralamTamil
1983SumangaliTamil
1983NeethibathiTamil
1984VetriTamil
1984TharaasuTamil
1984VaazhkaiTamil
1984Kai Kodukkum KaiTamil
1984Neengal KettavaiTamil
1984Anbulla RajinikanthTamil
1984Nallavanuku NallavanTamil
1984Vamsa VilakkuTamil
1984KudumbamTamil
1985Nalla ThambiTamil
1985Pudhu YugamTamil
1985Padikkadha PannaiyarTamil
1985Poi MugangalTamil
1985Viswanathan Velai VenumTamil
1985Naan Sigappu ManithanTamil
1985Needhiyin NizhalTamil
1985Aduthathu AlbertTamil
1985Uyarndha UllamTamil
1985Sri RaghavendrarTamil
1986Annai En DheivamTamil
1986MarumagalTamil
1986Vasantha RaagamTamil
1986Dharma DevathaiTamil
1987America AbbayiTelugu
1987Anbulla AppaTamil
1987AnandTamil
1987Kathai Kathayam KaranamamTamil
1990Lady TarzanHindi
1991Thambikku Oru PattuTamil
1993Karpagam VanthachuTamilSarathi
1993MuqablaHindiPolice Constable Saajan
1994SakthivelTamil
1994VeeraTamil
1995En Pondatti NallavaTamil
1995Chinna VathiyarTamil
1996Minor MappillaiTamilMovie director
2000Hey RamTamil
2006JambhavanTamil
2006KusthiTamilVayram
2007SringaramTamil
2008PandhayamTamil
2008SevalTamil
2009Indira VizhaTamil
2009KanthaswamyTamil
2010Pen SingamTamil
2010Anandhapurathu VeeduTamil
2011IlaignanTamil
2011Yudham SeiTamilDoctor prushoththaman
2011DoublesMalayalamPiyari sayip
2011Deiva ThirumagalTamilRagunathan
2011VenghaiTamil
2012Marupadiyum Oru KadhalTamil
2012VachathiTamil
2013PuthranTamil
2013Irandam UlagamTamil
2013ThalaivaaTamilLawyer Radhakrishnan
2014VallinamTamilVenkatachalam
2014RamanujanEnglish/TamilS. Narayana Iyer
2014Irukku Aana IllaiTamilDr. Mathrubootham
2014MeghaTamil
2014Nerungi Vaa MuthamidatheTamilSubramaniyam
2015Oru Kilo TaxiTamil Short FilmSwami
20159 ThirudargalTamil
2015YatchanTamil
2016KanithanTamil
2016AagamTamilAcharya
2016Meen Kuzhambum Mann PaanaiyumTamil
2016SaithanTamilDinesh's boss
2017BairavaaTamilBank manager Venkatesan
2017SaayaTamil
2017KadambanTamil
2017InayathalamTamilI.G Sabapathy
2017Anbanavan Asaradhavan AdangadhavanTamil"Current" Murugan
2017VelaikkaranTamilNarayanan
2018AaruthraTamil
2019PettaTamilCollege principal
2019Goko MakoTamilNatchatrian
2020Indha Nilai MaarumTamil
2020Oh Andha NaatkalTamilGKB
2020ShyamaragamMalayalamRamanaadha Bhagavathar

Television

Year Title Role Notes
Thuppariyum sambu Sambu
2001-2002 Vazhkai
2003-2004 Sahaana JKB
2002-2006 Rudhraveenai "Sakthi Upasakar" Narasimma Barathi
2004–2005 Chidambara Rahasiyam Dr. Thillairajan
2007 Thavam
2012–2017 Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval Namboothiri, Mathura's uncle
2012 Sherlock Maami
2013 Vasool Chakravarthy
2013 Mr. Brain
2015 Enga Veettu Penn
2020 Roja Suresh Chakravarthy
2020–Present Anbe Vaa Colonel Ram

Web series

Year Title Role Platform Notes
2019 Karoline Kamakshi Chidhambharam ZEE5 [9][10]

As director

Y.G. Mahendra also has directed a Tamil film named Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam in the year 1987 and is currently planning two more assignments as director.

Stage plays

  • Venkata 3
  • Vietnam Veedu
  • Sudesi Iyer
  • Thanthramukhi
  • Kaadhalikka Neramundu
  • Antha 7 Aatkal
  • Ragasiyam Parama Ragasiyam
  • Irandam Ragasiyam
  • Soppana Vazhvil
  • Kasedhan Kadavulada

Dubbing artist Y.G. Mahendran dubbed for Kamal Haasan for Iru Nilavugal, the Tamil dubbed version of his Telugu film Sommokakadidhi Sokkakikidhi by imitating his voice.

Mahendran also dubbed for Telugu actor Babu Mohan for Idhuthaanda Police, Tamil dubbed version of Telugu film Ankusam.

Y. G. Mahendra also dubbed for Timon in the 1994's famous cartoon movie: The Lion King.

Year Film Actor Notes
1980Iru NilavugalKamal Haasan
1990Idhuthanda PoliceBabu Mohan
1992Pokkiri PonnuBabu Mohan
1994The Lion KingFor the character Timon
1999DeviBabu Mohan

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.