Vadivelu is an Indian actor, comedian and playback singer. Since the 1990s, he has acted mainly as a comedian in Tamil cinema and is renowned for his slapstick comedies. Vadivelu has won the Cinema Express Award for Best Comedy Actor for Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) as well as the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian five times for his works in Kaalam Maari Pochu (1996), Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000), Thavasi (2001), Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi (2006) and Kathavarayan (2008). He has also won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian – Tamil two times for his work in Chandramukhi (2005) and Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006). He has won the Vikatan Award for Best Comedian in Pokkiri (2007). He also won the Vijay Award for Best Comedian for his work in Marudhamalai (2007) and was nominated three times in the Best Comedian category for his work in Aadhavan (2009), Nagaram (2010) and Kaavalan (2011). He has acted as a hero in seven films in Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006), Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan (2008), Tenaliraman (2014), Eli (2015), Naai Sekar Returns (2022), Maamannan (2023) and Maareesan (2025).
Films Year Film Role Notes Ref(s) 1988 En Thangai Kalyani Cyclist Uncredited role 1991 En Rasavin Manasile Vadivelu Aatha Un Koyilile Appu 1992 Chinna Gounder Maakhali Ilavarasan Kiya Kiya Karate master's translator Singaravelan Sabha Deiva Vaakku Karuvadu Thevar Magan Esaki 1993 Koyil Kaalai Vadivelu Ezhai Jaathi Villager Guest appearance Maharasan Kasappu Kadai Vadivelu's assistant Aranmanai Kili Kaththayya Ponnumani Sadaiyandi Gokulam Raju Sakkarai Devan Maravan Constable Velu Valli Shiva Kizhakku Cheemayile Ochchu Winner, Cinema Express Award for Best Comedy Actor Kathirukka Neramillai Raju's Friend Rojavai Killathe Ayyanar's accomplice 1994 Rajakumaran 'Veecharuva' Veerasamy Sindhu Nathi Poo Nadesan Adharmam Pithalai Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana Peter Sevatha Ponnu Watchman Vadivel Killadi Mappillai Raja Pandi Kaadhalan Vasanth (Kaliaperumal) Ilaignar Ani Mani Rathnam Chappani Pavithra Thenmozhi's husband Karuththamma Sevalaikaalai Pandiyanin Rajiyathil Atha Maga Rathiname Maindhan 1995 Naan Petha Magane Kizhakku Malai Muthu Kaalai Poochi Chinna Mani Pechimuthu Aanazhagan Marudhamalai Udhavum Karangal Ellame En Rasathan Vadivelu En Pondatti Nallava Pasumpon Solai Nandhavana Theru Theekuchi Chellakannu Sandaikku Vantha Kili Rajavin Parvaiyile Arivazhagan Raasaiyya Kili Aasai Jeevanantham's Friend Thaikulame Thaikulame Tamilpitthan Chandralekha Sundaram Muthu Valayapathy Neela Kuyil Mambattiyan 1996 Love Birds Raja Vasantha Vaasal Velu Kaalam Maari Pochu Sekar Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian Sengottai Guest appearance Minor Mappillai 'Kuppathotti' Govindasamy Sundara Purushan Ganesan's brother Tamizh Selvan Manuneethi Sozhan Priyam Kadhal Desam Wilson Namma Ooru Raasa Nattamai Subash Subash's friend Mr. Romeo Vavvaal Paanchaalankurichi Murugan Thilagavathi CBI Devaraj Tamil dubbed film 1997 Sakthi Irulandi Bharathi Kannamma Eenamuthu Mappillai Gounder Muthan Vivasaayi Magan Dharman Akka Tamil dubbed film My India Raasi Chidhambaram Ganga Gowri Vichu Pongalo Pongal Vellaichamy Pasamulla Pandiyare Kuppusamy Kaadhali Adimai Changili Adra Sakka Adra Sakka Kalyana Vaibhogam Jacky Aaro Pranam Chanti's friend Telugu film Periya Manushan Chellappa Porkkaalam Ratchagan Ajay's friend Thadayam Neethi 1998 Sundara Pandian Pavadai Kaathala Kaathala 'Security' Singaram Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi Amavasai Jolly Rathna 'Kathai' Kandhasamy Iniyavale Murugan Poonthottam Auto driver Ellame En Pondattithaan Ganga Pudhumai Pithan 'Super' Suruli Ponmaanai Thedi Kannathal Soonaa Paanaa (Subbiah Pandian) Thalaimurai Cheran Chozhan Pandian Pandian Sivappu Nila Thirteen Seventy-Four 1999 House Full Vadivelu Thodarum 'Peon' Mani Maya En Swasa Kaatre Monisha En Monalisa Nilave Mugam Kaattu Poomaname Vaa Rajasthan Kummi Paattu Anantha Poongatre Subramani Oruvan Sangamam Haridas Viralukketha Veekkam Kabali Poovellam Kettuppar Krishna's cousin Manaivikku Mariyadhai Terror Rajappa Nesam Pudhusu Velu Mudhalvan Palavesham Iraniyan Chinnasamy Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa Thirupathi Unnaruge Naan Irundhal Vadivelu Paattali Vadivu 2000 Kakkai Siraginilae Vallarasu Guest appearance Rajakali Amman Gopal Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela Vadivelan Magalirkkaga Bhoopathy Ennamma Kannu SP Telex Pandian IPS / 'Setup' Chellappa Vetri Kodi Kattu Sudalai Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai 'Boxer' Krishnan Maayi Mokkaisamy Chinna Chinna Kannile Velan Kannukku Kannaga Velu Vanna Thamizh Pattu Velu Manu Needhi Sevalai Nee Enthan Vaanam Ottaiodasal Kannula Kaasu Kattappa Punniyakodi 2001Friends Nesamani Looty Vellaiappa Nageshwari Engalukkum Kaalam Varum Vellaiyan En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri Angusamy Sri Raja Rajeshwari Minor Pandian (MP) Asathal Venugopal Middle Class Madhavan Kuzhandaivelu Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala Roja's Brother-In-Law Dosth Bomb Bakri Special appearance Narasimha Lala Ninaikkatha Naalillai 'Aana Oona' Townmani Maayan Mitta Miraasu Rangasamy Love Marriage Chitti Babu Manadhai Thirudivittai Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh,Mr. Waugh, and Mrs. Waugh Thavasi Azhagu Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian Vadagupatti Maapillai 'Naataamai' Veerapandi 2002Gounder Veettu Maappillai 'Vetti' Veru Tamil dubbed film Kamarasu Velu Sri Bannari Amman Kozhakatta Govindan Raajjiyam Sengal Thamizh Moorthy Idhayame Gurusamy Raja Sappai Shree Maruvesham Marimuthu Karmegham Khanja Super Aunty Krishnan Tamil dubbed film Naina Aavudaiyappan Sundhara Travels Azhagappan (Azhagu, Azhagaa) King Hollywood director En Mana Vaanil Govindan Namma Veetu Kalyanam Sengalvarayan Bagavathi Vadivelu / Vibration Style Manmadhan Shakalaka Baby Pandi 2003Vaseegara Kattabomman Anbu Subbaiah Ilasu Pudhusu Ravusu A. Swaminathan / Muniyandi Arasu Pichumani Punnagai Poove Aarumugam Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu Karuppu Eera Nilam Sonai Diwan Velu Aalukkoru Aasai Pazhani Winner Kaipulla Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Comedian – Tamil Ottran Madasamy Kadhal Kirukkan Kalyanasundaram Thathi Thavadhu Manasu Inspector Vaigaivel 2004Engal Anna Mayilsamy (Mayil) Kovil 'Bullet' Pandi Gambeeram Oomathurai P.C. Kadhal Dot Com Pichu Nee Mattum Yogarasu Arul Thangam Jore Thirupathi Maanasthan Pachaikkili Loves Sound Party Oru Murai Sollividu Harichandran Madhurey Pandu Giri Veerabhagu Kadhale Jayam Pachaikaalai Chatrapathy Kili Aai Pazhani Jananam Jaisurya Soosai 2005Aayudham Thangapandi Ayya Karasingam A.C Mannin Maindhan 'Water' Vadivelu London Vedimuthu Chandramukhi Murugesan Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Comedian – Tamil Sachein Ayyasamy Karka Kasadara Ondippuli 6'2 Mr. White Englishkaran 'Theeppori' Thirumugam Kaatrullavarai "Watchman" Venkatesh Chinna Kumar February 14 Ezhumalai Daas Navagragam ABCD Muthukumar Anda Naal Nyabagam Chanakya Subramani Mazhai Aarumugam Kundakka Mandakka Chellappa Majaa Pulipandi Bambara Kannaley Kadalaimuthu Aanai Aaru Sundi Modhiram (Sumo) Vetrivel Sakthivel Dhandapani Veeranna Pazhanisamy 2006Pasa Kiligal Kathavarayan Thambi Nadarasu Kovai Brothers Ekadasi Thalai Nagaram Naai Sekar Kusthi Velu Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei Pulikecei XXIII / Ukraputhan Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best ComedianWinner, Filmfare Award for Best Comedian – Tamil Thimiru 'Warden' Vallaran Kurukshetram Nondippuli Em Magan Karupatti Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil Sillunu Oru Kaadhal Vellaichamy Thalaimagan Erimalai/Panimalai Vathiyar Ayyanar Rendu Kirikalan Nenjil Vellam (Tamilman) / Englishman Kumaran Hotel Server Tamil dubbed filmDesiya Paravai Azhagu 2007Pokkiri Body Soda Winner, Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Comedian Muruga 'Courier' Gopu Manikanda Madhayaanai Viyabari 'Digil' Paandi Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar 'Padithurai' Paandi Maa Madurai Thangavelu Thottal Poo Malarum Kabali Khan (Kabaliswaran) Arya 'Snake' Babu Cheena Thaana 001 Cheenichamy Marudhamalai 'Encounter' Ekaambaram Winner, Vijay Award for Best Comedian Piragu Samarasam Thavam Keeripulla Vel Kuzhandhaisamy 2008Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan Indran / Yama Dharmarajan / Na. Azhagappan Theekuchi Kuravan Kannum Kannum Udumban Kathavarayan 'Kanduvetti' Karuppu Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu Sorimuthu Ayyanar Kuselan 'Saloon Kadai' Shanmugam Kee Mu Madasami Pachai Nirame Paandi Scenes used from an unreleased film Seval 'Thabal' Thangavelu Ellam Avan Seyal Vandu Murugan 2009Villu Madasamy Vedigundu Murugesan 'Alert' Arumugam Azhagar Malai Kaththamuthu Kanthaswamy 'Thengakadai' Thennappan Peraanmai Soosai Jaganmohini Jaganmohan Aadhavan Bannerjee ("Banner" Kuppan) Nominated, Vijay Award for Best ComedianNominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil 2010 Kacheri Arambam Deepavali Sura Umbrella Thillalangadi Jackson Nagaram Marupakkam 'Style' Pandi Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Comedian 2011Ilaignan Isaac Kaavalan Ammavasai Nominated, Vijay Award for Best ComedianNominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian Thoonga Nagaram Narrator and cameo appearance in song "Vaigai Siricha" Mambattiyan 'Silk' Singaram 2012 Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal Dr. Singaram 2014 Tenaliraman Tenaliraman / Maamannar 2015 Eli Eli Saamy 2016 Kaththi Sandai Dr. Boothri 2017 Shivalinga Pattukunjam Mersal Vadivu 2022Naai Sekar ReturnsNaai Sekar 2023 Maamannan Maamannan Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – TamilChandramukhi 2 Murugesan 2025 Gangers Singaram Maareesan Velayudham Pillai 2026 Bang Bang TBA FilmingPormuzhakkam TBA Pre-production
Discography Year Song Film Music director1995"Ettanaa Irundha" Ellame En Rasathan Ilaiyaraaja "Ammanikki Adangi" Rajavin Parvaiyile Ilayaraaja "Paalu Paalu Nepaalu" Thaikulame Thaikulame Deva 1996"Vaadi Potta Pulla Veliye" Kaalam Maari Pochu Deva1997"Yaanai Yaanai" Sakthi R. Anand "Rayilu Rayilu" Bharathi Kannamma Deva "Luck Luck" Thadayam Deva "Poya Un Moonjila" Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi Deva 1998"Ponnumani Ponnumani Poraale" Poonthottam Ilayaraaja1999"Alwa Kodukiraan" Manaivikku Mariyadhai Sirpy "Oothikadaa Machaan" Nesam Pudhusu Bobby "Chimini Chimini" Pen Ondru Kanden Kavi2000"Santhanamalligaiyil" Rajakaali Amman S. A. Rajkumar "Therkathi Maappillai" Magalirkkaga Indhiyan "Bumper Kulukkal" Pirandha Naal Deva2001"Madurakaara Vivek" Looty Deva "Naalu Adi Aaru" En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri S. A. Rajkumar"Alwa Kodukiran"Vadagupatti Maapillai Sirpy "Mathana Mathivathana" Maayan Deva 2002"Vikkalu" Bagavathi Deva 2003"Unnai Naan" Kadhal Kirukkan Deva2004"Kadhal Panna" Kovil Harris Jayaraj "Ooru Onu Onnu" Aai Srikanth Deva2005"Katunna Avalai Kattuvenda" Jaisurya Deva "Alavudin Alama" Chanakya Srikanth Deva "Vandhuta Vandhuta Vandhutaya" Kundakka Mandakka Bharadwaj "Freeyaavudu" Aaru Devi Sri Prasad 2007"Aayiram Jannal Veedu" Vel Yuvan Shankar Raja2008"Vanthanam Vanthanam" Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan Sabesh–Murali "Mallika Sherawata" "Thaayaaramma" Seval G. V. Prakash Kumar 2009"Vaada Mappiley" Villu Devi Sri Prasad 2014"Rampappa" Tenaliraman D. Imman 2015"Kannameya" Eli Vidhyasagar2022"Appatha"Naai Sekar Returns Santhosh Narayanan"Panakkaran""Decent Aana Aalu"2023"Raasa Kannu"Maamannan A. R. Rahman2025"Ennada Polappu Idhu"Madras Matinee K. C. Balasarangan"Orey Oru"MaareesanYuvan Shankar Raja
References