1. Vadivelu — The King of Tamil Comedy
- Full Name:
Vadivelu
- Born:
12 September 1960, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
1988 – present
- About:
Known as Vaigai Puyal Vadivelu, he is the most iconic comedian in
Tamil cinema. With over 200 films, Vadivelu’s characters like “Naai
Sekar,” “Vandhiyathevan,” and “Esakki” became cultural landmarks.
- Comedy Style:
Slapstick combined with expressive body language, exaggerated facial
reactions, and rural Madurai slang. His comic timing is unmatched, and
many of his dialogues turned into memes even in the digital era.
- Famous Films:
Friends, Winner, Chandramukhi, Imsai Arasan 23am
Pulikesi, Marudhamalai, Giri, Thalainagaram.
- Legacy:
His one-liners like “Eppadi irundha naan, ippadi aayitten” remain
part of pop culture.
2.
Vivek — The Social Reformer of Comedy
- Full Name:
Vivekanandan
- Born:
19 November 1961 – Died 17 April 2021
- Career:
1987 – 2021
- About:
A socially conscious comedian, Vivek’s humor carried messages on
environment, education, superstition, and humanity. Inspired by Dr. A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam, he started the “Green Kalams” tree-planting movement.
- Comedy Style:
Urban sarcasm, verbal wit, and sharp one-liners with a moral twist. Unlike
pure slapstick, his comedy often provoked thought.
- Famous Films:
Minnale, Sivaji – The Boss, Boys, Run, Anniyan,
Saamy, Dum Dum Dum.
- Awards:
Padma Shri (2009) for Arts & Cinema.
- Legacy:
Remembered as “Chinna Kalaivanar,” following Nagesh’s footsteps.
3.
Nagesh — The Founding Father of Tamil Film Comedy
- Full Name:
Cheyur Krishna Rao Nageshwaran (Nagesh)
- Born:
27 September 1933 – Died 31 January 2009
- Career:
1958 – 2008
- About:
Considered the pioneer of Tamil comedy. In his 50-year career, he appeared
in 1,000 + films. His blend of emotion and humor set new standards for
comedians.
- Comedy Style:
Expression-based and character-driven; could evoke both laughter and
sympathy.
- Famous Films:
Server Sundaram, Thillana Mohanambal, Michael Madan
Kamarajan, Anbe Vaa, Ethir Neechal.
- Legacy:
He transformed comedians into full-fledged character actors, paving the
way for future stars like Vivek and Vadivelu.
4.
Santhanam — The Modern Punch-Line Specialist
- Full Name:
N. Santhanam
- Born:
21 January 1980, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
2002 – present
- About:
Started in TV (Lollu Sabha) and redefined humor in 2000s Tamil
films. His quick comebacks and youth-centric jokes made him a trendsetter.
- Comedy Style:
Rapid-fire dialogue delivery, self-referential humor, urban slang,
sarcasm, and spoof-based jokes.
- Famous Films:
Boss Engira Bhaskaran, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi, Siva Manasula
Sakthi, Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga.
- Note:
Later became a lead hero, showing how comedians can head films
successfully.
5.
Soori — The Parotta Legend
- Full Name:
Soori Muthusamy
- Born:
27 August 1977, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
1997 – present
- About:
Earned the nickname Parotta Soori after his breakout role in Vennila
Kabadi Kuzhu (2009). Known for rural, organic humor.
- Comedy Style:
Rustic Tamil accent, situational jokes, natural reactions, and subtle
expressions.
- Famous Films:
Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, Velaiyilla Pattathari, Rajini
Murugan, Kaththi, Viduthalai (2023) — where he showed
dramatic depth too.
- Legacy:
Known for bringing heart and innocence to village comedies.
6.
Yogi Babu — The Face of New-Age Comedy
- Full Name:
Yogi Babu
- Born:
22 July 1985, Arani, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
2009 – present
- About:
From a background dancer to Tamil cinema’s busiest comedian, appearing in
over 200 films.
- Comedy Style:
Self-deprecating humor, natural body language, witty responses, and
improvised lines.
- Famous Films:
Kolamavu Kokila, Mandela, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal,
Love Today, Beast.
- Awards:
Vijay Award & Edison Award for Best Comedian.
- Legacy:
Represents the digital-era humor that appeals equally to urban and rural
fans.
7.
Goundamani — The Master of Sarcasm
- Full Name:
Subramani Karuppaiya (Goundamani)
- Born:
25 May 1939, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
1960s – 2000s
- About:
The senior-most icon of Tamil slapstick; half of the legendary Goundamani–Senthil
duo.
- Comedy Style:
Sarcastic humor, angry wit, and perfect comic timing. His “verbal duels”
with Senthil became cult classics.
- Famous Films:
Karagattakaran, Ullathai Allitha, Gentleman, Indian.
- Legacy:
His sarcastic one-liners remain unmatched in Tamil meme culture.
8.
Senthil — The Innocent Joker
- Full Name:
Senthil Kumar
- Born:
23 March 1951, Ilanjambore, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
1970s – present
- About:
Known for his long collaboration with Goundamani; the duo created some of
the most loved comedy sequences in Tamil cinema.
- Comedy Style:
Innocent confusion, physical comedy, and humorous body language.
- Famous Films:
Karagattakaran, Indian, Winner, Singaravelan.
- Legacy:
One of the most loved faces of 80s–90s Tamil comedy, bringing simplicity
and laughter together.
9.
Kovai Sarala — The Queen of Comic Energy
- Full Name:
Sarala Gounder (Kovai Sarala)
- Born:
7 April 1962, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
1983 – present
- About:
A powerhouse performer, equally famous in Tamil and Telugu films.
- Comedy Style:
Loud, expressive, and energetic; known for spontaneous dialogues and
fearless comic presence.
- Famous Films:
Sathi Leelavathi, Kanchana series, Muni 2, Aranmanai.
- Awards:
Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Comedian (Female).
- Legacy:
Broke gender barriers and became the first true female comedy superstar in
South India.
10.
RJ Balaji — The Voice of the New Generation
- Full Name:
Balaji Patturaj
- Born:
20 June 1985, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Career:
2013 – present
- About:
Former radio jockey turned comedian and writer. He brought smart,
conversational, urban humor into films.
- Comedy Style:
Relatable jokes, Chennai slang, and social satire; often doubles as
narrator or critic inside the film.
- Famous Films:
Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, LKG
(also as writer), Mookuthi Amman.
- Legacy:
Blends satire, politics, and humor seamlessly — representing the witty,
educated new-age Tamil audience.
Summary
Table
|
Rank |
Comedian |
Signature
Style |
Era |
Notable
Film |
|
1 |
Vadivelu |
Slapstick, expressions |
1990s–present |
Imsai Arasan |
|
2 |
Vivek |
Satire, message-based |
1990s–2010s |
Sivaji – The Boss |
|
3 |
Nagesh |
Classic emotional comedy |
1960s–1980s |
Server Sundaram |
|
4 |
Santhanam |
Modern punch-lines |
2000s–present |
Boss Engira Bhaskaran |
|
5 |
Soori |
Rural dialect, realism |
2000s–present |
Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam |
|
6 |
Yogi Babu |
Self-mock, witty |
2010s–present |
Kolamavu Kokila |
|
7 |
Goundamani |
Sarcasm, wit |
1970s–2000s |
Karagattakaran |
|
8 |
Senthil |
Innocent humor |
1970s–2000s |
Singaravelan |
|
9 |
Kovai Sarala |
Energetic female comic |
1980s–present |
Kanchana |
|
10 |
RJ Balaji |
Urban satire |
2010s–present |
LKG |
Conclusion
Kollywood comedy has evolved over
six decades — from Nagesh’s classic elegance to Vadivelu’s expressions and Yogi
Babu’s modern realism.
Each of these comedians shaped the humor of their generation, balancing laughter,
culture, and social message.
Together, they define Tamil cinema’s unique ability to make audiences laugh,
think, and feel at the same time.
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