Ponnambalam is an Indian actor and stuntman who has predominantly worked in Tamil cinema. He is best known for playing antagonistic roles in Indian films during the 1990s, notably appearing in Tamil-language films such as Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkkalam (1999). Later in his career, Ponnambalam also appeared in a few leading roles, while also taking up the mantle of director and producer.
Career Ponnambalam made his debut in cinema as a stuntman, and often appeared as an extra fighter in films, starring in minor roles in films including Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990). As a result of his proficiency as a stuntman, he later received the nickname "Spare Parts" Ponnambalam as no part of his body was ever injured or fractured. He made a breakthrough as an actor following the success of P. Vasu's Walter Vetrivel (1993), and subsequently starred in several prominent Tamil films in the 1990s in villainous roles. Notable characters he portrayed including his work in Nattamai (1994), Muthu (1995) and Amarkkalam (1999). Ponnambalam also played the lead roles in film including the action drama Muthal Echarikkai (1999) and Ammaiyappa (2002), where he featured alongside actress Roshini. Reviewing the film, a critic noted "the movie does little other than prove conclusively that Ponnambalam is not cut out to be a hero", and that "though he picks a role that suits his build, emotes surprisingly well and fights aggressively, his looks make it difficult for us to accept him as a conventional leading man".
Ponnambalam turned director and producer through the film, Pattaya Kelappu, starring Sriman in the lead role. Despite beginning in 2004, the film had a delayed release, while another directorial venture titled Thethi 32 was subsequently dropped. Ponnambalam began a project titled Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai during 2010, starring newcomers. Despite beginning production, the film was shelved and eventually did not have a theatrical release. His acting commitments thereafter also decreased, with notable appearances in the period including roles as a village chief in Tamizh Padam (2010) and characters in Venghai (2011) and the historical drama, Ponnar Shankar (2011).
In 2018, Ponnambalam took part in the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil hosted by Kamal Haasan. His stay in the house was controversial, as he was accused of making misogynistic comments against the female housemates, particularly against Yashika Aanand, Aishwarya Dutta, Mamathi Chari and Mumtaj and was nominated each week for the eviction from the second week of the show onwards. He was evicted during the eighth week of the show during mid-August 2018.
Personal life Ponnambalam joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in February 2011, beginning a career in politics. He campaigned for the AIADMK party in the Indian general election of 2014. In June 2017, he left the AIADMK and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan. On joining the party, Ponnambalam stated that no other party seemed "concerned about the welfare of people" and hence, he decided to join the BJP.
Filmography Tamil films Year Film Role Notes1988 Kaliyugam Prisoner 1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal Vetri Vizha 1990 Michael Madana Kama Rajan Assassin 1991 Vetri Padigal Pudhu Manithan Maanagara Kaaval Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum Rogue 1992 Naangal Thangarasu Bharathan Gangadharan's right hand Naalaya Seidhi Kottai Vaasal Senthamizh Paattu Ellaichami Balayandi Samundi 1993 Walter Vetrivel Kabali Maamiyar Veedu Pettredutha Pillai Vedan Airport Senthoorapandi Ponnambalam 1994 Honest Raj Pandian Indhu Veeraiyan Thai Maaman Periya Marudhu Senkodan Nattamai Ponnambalam Nila 1995 Coolie Old Union Leader Marumagan Gandhi Pirantha Mann Periya Kudumbam Sundarapandi's first brother Muthu Kaali Chandralekha Mustafa Ilaya Ragam Maaman Magal Govindhan 1996Indian Kondithoppu Kada Kumar Namma Ooru Raasa Kangeya Senathipathi 1997 Dharma Chakkaram K. Singamuthu Mannava Kabali Aravindhan Arunachalam Ponnambalam Vallal Uncle of Annam Adimai Changili Janakiraman 1998 Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu Veerapandi Dharma Khan Simmarasi Police inspector Urimai Por Marthandan Veeram Vilanja Mannu Police inspector 1999 Thullatha Manamum Thullum Chinna Durai Ullathai Killathe Rajasthan Kummi Paattu Kanave Kalaiyadhe Amarkkalam Aasai Raj Kannupada Poguthaiya Kanmani Unakkaga Azhagarsamy Mudhal Etcharikkai Ponnambalam 2000 Thirunelveli Velu Mugavaree Thai Poranthachu Dharma Sudhandhiram Vallarasu Manikkam Pennin Manathai Thottu Maayi Ilaiyavan 2001 Looty En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri Santhamoorthy Sri Raja Rajeshwari Thavasi Kottai Perumal Azhagana Naatkal Kalakalappu Poove Pen Poove 2002 Vivaramana Aalu Subramani / Thotta Raajjiyam Thamizh Bagavathi Vibuthi Ganesan Uncredited role Gummalam Jaya Ammaiyappa Ammaiyappan 2003 Ramachandra Kabali Saamy Corrupt Police Officer Thennavan Diwan Kandhavel's second brother Chokka Thangam Anjaneya Veerappan 2004 Jai Karuppu Ghilli Arivazhagan Arul Jana Inspector Arasatchi Giri Bose Sivamani Aai Arumugasamy Super Da Gomathi Nayagam Sevanthi's father 2005 Devathaiyai Kanden Police officer Chinna Chinna's friend Mannin Maindhan Gajapathy Kannadi Pookal Sevvel 2006 Saravana Suyetchai MLA Kalinga Perarasu Varalaru Divya's brother 2007 Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen Aarya Meesai Perumal Malaikottai Ennai Paar Yogam Varum Kaanal Neer Thiru Ranga Veerappu Gowripet Shankar 2008 Pattaya Kelappu Anandakrishnan Also director Vaitheeswaran Aayudham Seivom Ezhuthiyatharadi Pandi Theeyavan Arai En 305-il Kadavul Surya 2009 Thee Saleem Madurai Sambavam Oru Kadhalan Oru Kadhali Lingesu 2010 Tamizh Padam Nattamai Thairiyam Innisai Kavalan Bayam Ariyaan Guru Sishyan Androru Naal Puzhal Aarvam Nagaram Marupakkam 'Thala Vetti' Thangarasu Athisaya Manal Matha 2011 Bhavani Ponnar Shankar Thalapathi Venghai Anburaja Mudhal Idam 2012 Maasi Nandha Mattuthavani Ullam Arakkonam Virudhunagar Sandhippu 2013 Keeripulla Police officer 2014 Madhavanum Malarvizhiyum Adhu Vera Idhu Vera Police inspector 2016 Enakku Innoru Per Irukku Cameo appearance Parandhu Sella Vaa Ponnambalam 2017 12-12-1950 Police inspector 2018 Pei Irukka Illaya Thulam 2019 Comali Gaaja Chennai 2 Bangkok 2022 Kaatteri Ponnambalam 2026 Vangala Viriguda
Telugu films Year Film Role Notes 1992 Gharana Mogudu Veeraiyah 1993Repati RowdyKallaiah Allari Priyudu Rowdy MoguduGanapathi Mechanic Alludu 1994 Mugguru Monagallu 1995Khaidi InspectorSharif 1997 Hitler Rudraraju's brother Dubbed in Tamil as TigerEvandi Pelli Chesukondi 1998 Pavitra Prema M.L.A. Rayudu 2000Sivanna BalaramHarishchandra Prasad's goon Nuvvu Vastavani Indu's house owner Choosoddaam Randi Tiger Dharma 2001 Eduruleni Manishi Narahari 2002 Chennakesava Reddy 2003 Palnati Brahmanayudu 2004 Guri Seed supplier Pedababu Rudra Raju Siva Shankar Gudumba Shankar Koduku Suryam 2005 Annavaram 2006 Veerabhadra Neeku Naaku 2007 Andaala Amitabh Bachchan 2008 Bujjigadu
Malayalam films Year Film Role 1988 Moonnam Mura Peter Orkkapurathu Henchman 1990 Samrajyam Krishna Das's henchman 1995 Prayikkara Paappan Pazhani's Henchmen 1999 Stalin Sivadas Bomber 2000 The Warrant Goon 2002 Thandavam 2005 Maniyarakallan Ananda Padmanabhan 2006 Prajapathi Vanangamudi 2007 Payum Puli Pandian 2017 Aadu 2 Mayilvahanam
Kannada films Year Film Role 1994 Chinna 1995Dore 1997 Lady Commissioner 2000 O Nanna Nalle 2003 Kiccha Jayaraj Annavru Henchman 2005 Gunna 2007 Masti Police Story 2 2012 Swaranjali 2017Smuggler
Hindi films Year Film Role Notes1996 Ghatak: Lethal Fighter in the Ring Special AppearanceRakshak Taniya 2000 Krodh Munna 2001 Nayak Ranga Voiced by Manoj Pandey
Stuntman Year Film 1987 Shankar Guru Per Sollum Pillai Vairakkiyam 1988 Sathya En Thangai Kalyani Puthiya Vaanam Soora Samhaaram Thaimel Aanai Poovizhi Raja Pattikaatu Thambi Dhayam Onnu Katha Nayagan Kaliyugam 1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal Padicha Pulla Annanukku Jai Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu En Thangai Vetri Mel Vetri 1990 Avasara Police 100 Sathriyan Urudhi Mozhi Raja Kaiya Vacha My Dear Marthandan 1991 Captain Prabhakaran Maanagara Kaaval Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum
Television Bigg Boss Tamil 2 (2018)
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