Ponvannan (born Shanmugam; 23 September 1964) is an Indian actor and director who has worked in Tamil cinema and television. After beginning his career as an artist (painter), Ponvannan apprenticed as a director and writer under Bharathiraja. He subsequently made his directorial debut with Annai Vayal (1992), before making the critically acclaimed venture, Nadhi Karaiyinile (2003). He has since appeared as a supporting actor in films, winning acclaim for his role in films including Paruthiveeran (2007), Ayan (2009) and Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014). In October 2015, he was elected as the Vice President of the Nadigar Sangam alongside Karunas.
Career Ponvannan began his career as an artist in his home town of Kallakurichi and became acquainted with writer Valampuri John, which led to him working for producer Kovaithambi's Motherland Pictures. Through his exposure, gained at the production house, he began to apprentice under director Bharathiraja and helped the director write dialogues for his films. Ponvannan gradually was introduced as an actor by Bharathiraja and appeared in supporting roles in the director's Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991), Karuthamma (1994) and Pasumpon (1995).
His second directorial venture, Jameela (2003), featuring Suvalakshmi, Rajan P. Dev and Ramji, told the story of an ego clash between two men which ruins the life of an obedient woman. Ponvannan had been impressed with writer Sara Abubakar's novel and bought the script rights, before submitting his screenplay to National Film Development Corporation of India to finance the film. The agency agreed and Jameela was shot for seventeen days in Pondicherry at a cost of 35 lakh rupees. The film won positive reviews in screenings and was well received by critics, prompting it to be selected to be shown in the non-competitive category at the 2002 Shanghai International Film Festival. The film had only a theatrical release across India in November 2003 under the title Nadhi Karaiyinile, after the distributor Viswas Sundar did not want the film to be classified as a "Muslim film".
The film did not perform well at the box office, but won three State film awards including the recognition as Best Film portraying Women in Good Light. The Hindu described Ponvannan's direction as an "absorbing presentation", adding "his sensitivity comes to the fore throughout the film". His next venture, the comedy drama Gomathi Nayagam (2004), had its title taken from the name of his popular character from the television serial Annamalai. The film had a low-key release and did not perform well commercially.
Ponvannan made a comeback as an actor through Ameer's Paruthiveeran (2007), portraying the father of Priyamani's character, and the success of the film garnered further acting opportunities for him. He won acclaim for his performances as the upright police officer in Mysskin's Anjathe (2009) and as the shrewd customs official in Ayan (2009). He wins Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain for Vaagai Sooda Vaa (2011). Ponvannan played a stage actor in Vasanthabalan's period film Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014), winning acclaim for his performance in an ensemble cast.
Personal life Ponvannan married National Award-winning actress Saranya, daughter of Malayalam director A. B. Raj, in 1995. They co-starred in Karuthamma (1994).
Filmography As actor Year Movie Role Notes1991 Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu Veeraiya Also dialogue writer1992 Annai Vayal Chandran Also director and writer Government Mappillai 1993 Amma Ponnu Police Inspector Kadal Pura Captain Magal Police officer 1994 Karuththamma Thavasi 1995 Pasumpon Sellasamy Gandhi Pirantha Mann Chithirai Thiruvizha Maaman Magal Muthurasu 1996 Vaikarai Pookkal Soori / Nallathambi Katta Panchayathu Namma Ooru Raasa Kailash Senathipathi 1997 Rettai Jadai Vayasu Ettupatti Rasa Ponrasu Periya Thambi Rathnam Periya Idathu Mappillai Chellappa Saathi Sanam 1998 Velai 1999 Poomagal Oorvalam Kavitha's father Annan Manikkam 2000 Kannukkul Nilavu Soundar Veeranadai Aandavan Partial re-shot version of Aatank Hi Aatank (1995)2001 Kanna Unnai Thedukiren 2003 Nilavil Kalangamillai IPC 215 Muthu 2005 Gomathi Nayagam Gomathi Nayagam Also director2007 Paruthiveeran Kazhuva Thevan Nam Naadu Elamaran Flash Mutashan Malayalam film2008 Anjathe Keerti Vaasan Valluvan Vasuki Thalaivar Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu Muthumani Silambattam Veeraiyan 2009 Ayan Parthiban Mayandi Kudumbathar Thavasi Mayandi Muthirai Aadhikesavan Peraanmai Ganapathi Ram Aarumaname Rajadurai Yogi 2010 Porkkalam Pasupathy Maathi Yosi Pulliman Malayalam film2011 Seedan Singam Puli Ponnar Shankar Chinnamalai Gounder Sankarankovil Mahalingam Vaagai Sooda Vaa JP Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain Raa Raa 2012 Vilayada Vaa Deva 2013 Kadal Chetty Barnabodas Thalaivaa Ranga 2014 Sooran Aarai Sathuranga Vettai ACP Kaaviya Thalaivan S. V. Bairava Sundaram Lingaa Deva 2015 Yatchan Durai Bhooloham Rathinam 2016 Kadalai Boopathy 2017 Bogan Rajkumar Ayyanar Veethi Ayyanar Yaanum Theeyavan Jayaprakash Neruppu Da Guru's father Palli Paruvathile Kani's father 2018 Kadaikutty Singam Thillainayagam Adanga Maru Subash's father 2019 Sathru Kathiresan's father Ispade Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum Gautham's father NGK Pichai Muthu "Pichai" 2021 Sulthan Rukmani's father 2022 Saayam Marudhu's father 2024 Miss You Ramakrishnan 2025 Aaryan Commissioner Sabarinathan Saaraa Vetrivel 2026 Con City Aishu's father
As director Year Movie Notes 1992 Annai Vayal 2003 Nadhi Karaiyinile Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light 2005 Gomathi Nayagam
Television Year Series Role Channel 1997–1998 Marmadesam - Vidathu Karuppu Bramhan Sun TV 1998–2000 Mangai Sun TV 2000 Micro Thodargal-Kaathirukka Oruthi Raj TV 2001 Marmadesam - Edhuvum NadakkumSadasivam Raj TV 2002–2003 Agal VilakkugalBramhan Sun TV 2002–2005 Annamalai Gomathi Nayagam 2002–2003 Penn 2003–2004 Kolangal Rajaram 2020 Chithi 2Shanmugapriyan2024–2025 Uppu Puli KaaramSubramani / Kasinathan "Kasi"Hotstar2024Siragadikka AasaiSubramani/Kasinathan "Kasi"Star Vijay2025Getti MelamSivaramanZee Tamil
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