Arunachalam Rajendran (born 1 June 1957), better known as Mottai Rajendran or Naan Kadavul Rajendran, is an Indian stunt double and actor working mainly in Tamil cinema. He debuted in 2003 with the Tamil film Pithamagan and has worked as a stunt double in over 500 South Indian films since then. He played the role of a villain in Naan Kadavul (2009) which won huge critical acclaim and fetched him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain. Since then, he has continued to play villainous and later humorous supporting characters in a number of Tamil films. He is noted for his rough voice and alopecia universalis, which he claims was the result of coming into contact with industrial waste during a stunt sequence.
Career Rajendran began his film career working as a stunt double in hundreds of south Indian films mostly in Tamil.
He played a small but significant role in Pithamagan (2003) and made his full-fledged acting debut as a villain in Naan Kadavul (2009). His performance as a cruel leader who tortures beggars earned critical acclaim with a critic noting that he is "menacing and loathsome".
Following his villainous comedy role in Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010), he says he was typecast in similar roles. His appearance as a killer who dons the garb of a woman in Thirudan Police (2014) was appreciated by critics as "the ultimate showstealer and his already popular lady makeover clinches it big time". His first release in 2015 was Darling, where he appeared as the ghostbuster. The Times of India wrote, "His bald head, thin figure and sandpapery voice make him effective for both villainous and comical roles but from the screams and whistles that his character gets, it is clear that he has made much more impact as a comedian". His second release of the year was Ivanuku Thannila Gandam (2015), where he appeared as a murderer. Before its release, Rajendran's presence in the film's promotional videos received a positive response. The film was released to negative reviews, though Rajendran's performance was appreciated by critics, one of whom noted that "the film belongs to Rajendran as he comes out with his trademark dialogue delivery [...] and carries the entire film".
He later co-starred mostly with actor Santhanam in movies Dhilluku Dhuddu (2016), Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 (2019), Biskoth (2020), Parris Jeyaraj (2021), Dikkiloona (2021), DD Returns (2023), 80s Buildup (2023), Vadakkupatti Ramasamy (2024) and Devil's Double Next Level (2025).
Personal life A. Rajendran was born on 1 June 1957 in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. His father, Arunachalam, and two elder brothers are also stunt masters. Rajendran previously used to have androgenic hair, but following an incident in which he jumped into a pond of chemical runoff from a nearby factory as part of a stunt for a Malayalam film Tokyo Nagarathile Viseshangal, he had lost every bit of hair from his body, earning him the nickname "Motta" Rajendran.
Filmography
Tamil films + List of Rajendran Tamil film credits Year Title Role Notes 1991 Rudhra Henchman Uncredited role 1992 Amaran Henchman Uncredited roleThambi Pondatti Henchman Uncredited role Thirumathi Palanisamy Henchman Uncredited role 1993 Gentleman Henchman Uncredited role 1995 Puthiya Aatchi Henchman Uncredited role 2003 Lesa Lesa Deva's friend Uncredited role Pithamagan Prison warden Uncredited role 2005 Thotti Jaya Henchman Uncredited role 2006 Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Henchman in 'Karka Karka' song Uncredited role Thalaimagan Fighter Uncredited role2007 Thee Nagar Henchman Uncredited role 2009 Naan Kadavul Thandavan Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best VillainNominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil 2010 Boss Engira Bhaskaran Velpandi Baana Kaathadi Gang leader Uthamaputhiran Velu Milaga Rajendran Thambi Arjuna Mani 2011 Ilaignan Kaalia Mugaputhagam Goon Short film Rowthiram A local goon Thambikottai Amirthalingam Velayudham A local goon Ambuli Guhan 2012 Varudangal 20 Annachi 2013 Samar Tree cutter Kan Pesum Vaarthaigal Janani's uncle Singam 2 Sahaayam Pattathu Yaanai Hotel owner Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam Goolmaayi Raja Rani Henry Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Painter Rajendran (Raj) Maayai 2014 Kadhal Solla Aasai Verumpuli Vilaasam Thirudan Police Manickam Vellaikaara Durai Rajendran 2015 Darling Ghost Gopal Varma Ivanuku Thannila Gandam Mark Kalakattam Nannbenda "Scorpio" Shankar Kanchana 2 Marudhu's brother Masss Ghost Eli Kuruvi Manda Kumaru Palakkattu Madhavan U. Santosh Kumar Sakalakala Vallavan Inspector Muthukaruppan / Robot Adhibar 49-O Advertisement director Jippaa Jimikki Naanum Rowdydhaan Rowdy Raja Om Shanti Om Vavval Pandi Vedalam "Kolkata" Kaali Thiruttu Rail 2016 Peigal Jaakkirathai Nayyapudai Baby Anaconda Vaaliba Raja Ragendra Theri P. Rajender Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran Ghost 'Motai' Guru Enakku Innoru Per Irukku Maha Jackson Durai Bradlee (Suruli) Dhilluku Dhuddu Sketch "Mani" Arthanari Wagah PET Master Yaanai Mel Kuthirai Sawaari Remo Mohana Santhosh Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru Father Francis Rajendran Atti Veera Sivaji CBI officer 2017 Bairavaa Traffic police M. Rajendran Enakku Vaaitha Adimaigal Karuppu Rock Mupparimanam Himself Cameo Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva Tsunami Star Subash Bruce Lee Uncle of Abbas Paambhu Sattai Water company owner Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae Chairman Thangaratham Malaichamy Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan Mani / Rajhu Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum Sulthan Bhai Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam Rajendran Katha Nayagan Mike Maari Neruppu Da MLA Kabali Bayama Irukku Ajith Pichuva Kaththi Hara Hara Mahadevaki Spike Mersal Health Minister Brahma.com Vanagamudi 2018 Gulaebaghavali Annachi Madura Veeran Solli Vidava Narayana Veera Jonty Rhodes Kaathadi Munthal Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuththu Jack Kaathiruppor Pattiyal Mohana Junga S. Duraisingam Ghajinikanth Rajini's friend Maniyaar Kudumbam Chellakilli Kolamavu Kokila Alponse Aaruthra Avudaiappan's assistant Seema Raja Himself Special appearance Nota Ramaswamy Kalavani Mappillai Vanagamoodi 2019 Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven Loan collector Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 Viji's uncle Nethraa Pettikadai Pottu Thief Boomerang Film producer Sangathamizhan Kittappa Natpuna Ennanu Theriyuma Raju's father Dharmaprabhu Shiva Gorilla Saloon Owner A1 CCTV Chidambaram Jackpot Motta Puppy 50/50 Pachai Kulandhai 2020 Time Enna Boss "Semma Singer" Judge / Mahatma Gandhi from Earth 36 Web series Irandam Kuththu Swamiji Naanga Romba Busy Corrupt businessman Biskoth Mottappa Time Up 2021 Trip Anjaa Puli Naanum Single Thaan Mr Love Paris Jayaraj Guru Michaelpatty Raja Naidu Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala Nesamani Call Taxi Kamal Dikkiloona Mental hospital doctor Pei Mama Sethupathi MGR Magan Mattapparai Anandham Vilayadum Veedu Worker 2022 Kundas Kadamaiyai Sei Thief Powder Gurumoorthi Security Guard Varalaru Mukkiyam Chris Gayle Oh My Ghost 2023 Vaathi 'Bittu' Bhupathi Single Shankarum Smartphone Simranum Police Pallu Padama Paathukka Ramesh Kannitheevu Ghosty Motta (Mental hospital warden) Ellaam Mela Irukuravan Paathuppan Superstar Rajeshkanth and alien Dual roles Vimanam Balaraju Partially reshot version Rayar Parambarai Shanthamurthy DD Returns Professor Lockdown Diarie Web Japan Japan's aide 80s Buildup Diamond thief Sarakku 2024 Vadakkupatti Ramasamy Goon Guardian Azhagu's brother-in-law Yaavarum Vallavare Paandi The Boys Sundaram's uncle Rathnam Mahesh Aranmanai 4 Rathnam Thozhar CheGuevara Doctor Naveen 2025 Madha Gaja Raja Viswanath’s henchman Baby and Baby Thokkudurai Otha Votu Muthaiya Sithappa Leg Piece Annachi Devil's Double Next Level "Veen Pechu" Babu Chennai City Gangsters Memory Dass Desingu Raja 2 Dinesh Bhoghee Rambo Rajini Gaang Jadamudi Jambulingam Konja Naal Poru Thalaiva Galatta Family Doctor 2026 Lucky the Superstar Motta Rajendran Voice role Kenatha Kanom
Telugu films + List of Rajendran Telugu film credits Year Title Role Notes 2004 Lakshmi Narasimha Henchman Uncredited role Gudumba Shankar Henchman Uncredited role Sakhiya Uncredited role 2005 Sri Uncredited role 2006 Kithakithalu Watermelon seller Uncredited role 2007 Athidi Henchman Uncredited role 2018 Chalo Senior Veeramuthu 2019 Chikati Gadilo Chithakotudu Gopal Varma 2022 Sammathame Assistant of Music Director F3 Gudivada Gurunatham 2023 Waltair Veerayya Gundu Mani Sir 'Boothu' Bhushanam Vimanam Balaraju 2025Akkada Ammayi Ikkada AbbayiKrishna’s BossTribanadhari Barbarik Dasanna They Call Him OG Gossiper Gurram Paapi ReddySangi Reddy2026 Trimukha Watchman Veerabadram Sathi Leelavathi
Malayalam films + List of Rajendran Malayalam film credits Year Title Role Notes 1999 Tokyo Nagarathile Viseshangal Thug Uncredited role 1999 F.I.R. BSS Soldier 2000Sathyameva JayatheSulaiman's henchman 2001 Randam Bhavam Goon 2002 Thandavam Shankar Das's henchman 2008Magic LampGoon2010PullimanDasappan 2018 Street Lights Manimaran Odiyan Odiyan doppelgänger 2019 Love Action DramaSI Rajendran Kamala Thoothukudi Raja 2024 Bad Boyz 2025 Pariwar Gold Raja The Protector
Other language films + Year Title Role Language Notes 2005 Insan Head of Cobra gang Hindi Uncredited role 2008 Ghajini Ghajini's henchman Uncredited role 2010 Naayaka Nagappa Kannada 2017 Kolara
References
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