S. A. Ashokan (20 May, 1931-11 November, 1982), born as Antony and often spelled Asokan, was an Indian actor who worked mainly in Tamil cinema and theatre. He was popular mainly for playing negative roles but was also a successful character actor.
Early life Ashokan was born on 20 May 1931 as Anthony in Tiruchirapalli. He showed interest in stage plays and frequently took part in oratorical and writing competitions during his childhood. He finished his B.A. degree at the St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli.
Career After completing his degree, Anthony met director T. R. Ramanna, who introduced him to the film industry. Anthony changed his name to Ashokan upon Ramanna's request and maintained the same name for life. Ashokan made his acting debut in a minor role in the film Avvaiyar. He was given a positive role in the film Penn Kulathin Ponvilakku (1959) as an admirer of a woman he considers a sister. He gained the attention of the general public with the film Kappalottiya Thamizhan in 1961, where he portrayed the role of Collector Robert Ashe. Later films which featured him in the lead were, however, moderately successful. Active mostly in the 1960s and 1970s, he acted mainly in villainous roles and did character roles opposite many leading actors of those times.
Ashokan's performance as a helpless traveller who gets conned in Vallavanukku Vallavan, and as the historical Indian character Duryodhana in the mythology film Karnan were well received. He was regularly cast in supporting roles as an elder brother, father or father-in-law, or the main villain in 59 films with M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role, right from Baghdad Thirudan in 1960 to Ninaithadhai Mudippavan in 1975. Some of the popular films with MGR – S. A. Ashokan combination are Arasilangkumari, Thaai Sollai Thattadhe, Thayai Katha Thanayan, Kudumba Thalaivan, Panathottam, Koduthu Vaithaval, Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum, Periya Idathu Penn, Anandha Jodhi, Panakkara Kudumbam, Needhikkuppin Paasam, Kaanchi Thalaivan, Vettaikaaran (1964 film), Dheiva Thaai, Thozhilali, Panam Padaithavan, Kanni Thaai, Thazhampoo, Anbe Vaa, Mugaraasi, Chandhrodhayam, Thaali Bhagyam, Thanipiravi, Parakkum Paavai, Petralthan Pillaiya, Thaikku Thalaimagan, Arasa Kattalai, Kaavalkaaran (1967 film), Vivasayee, Ragasiya Police 115, Thaer Thiruvizha, Kannan En Kadhalan, Oli Vilakku, Kanavan, Kadhal Vaaganam, Adimaippenn, Nam Naadu (1969 film), Maattukara Velan, En Annan, Thalaivan (1970 film), Thedi Vandha Mappillai, Engal Thangam, Kumari Kottam, Rickshawkaran, Neerum Neruppum, Oru Thaai Makkal, Sange Muzhangu, Nalla Neram, Raman Thediya Seethai (1972 film), Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, Pattikaattu Ponnaiya, Netru Indru Naalai and Ninaithadhai Mudippavan. His performance as Professor Bhairavan in the M. G. Ramachandran-starrer Ulagam Sutrum Valiban was considered a "landmark performance". Some of his other well-known performances include the role of Soorapadman in Kandan Karunai (1967), an intriguing character role in the AVM Studios hit Veera Thirumagan, and important roles in Attukara Allamelu, Adimai Penn, Anbe Vaa, Kaanji Thalaivan, Vivasayee and Raman Thediya Seethai.
Other work Ashokan also worked as a singer in the film Iravum Pagalum for the song "Iranthavanai Somanthavanum." The film also marked actor Jaishankar's debut. He introduced filmmaker A. C. Trilokchander to AVM Studios, which helped the filmmaker make his mark. Ashokan, along with Jaishankar, and a troupe of popular artists, often toured all over Tamil Nadu to conduct cultural programs.
Personal life Ashokan was married to Mary Gnanam (originally named Saraswathi). They had two sons, including Vincent Asokan, who is also an actor.
Filmography This is a partial filmography. You can expand it. Year Film Role Notes 1953 Avvaiyar King Chozhan1954 Ethir Paradhathu MoorthiIllara Jothi 1955 Doctor Savithri 1956 Rambaiyin Kaadhal Minister 1957 Pudhaiyal Puthaiyal 1958 Anbu Enge Guest Appearance Maya Manithan 1959 Athisaya Penn1960 Vijayapuri Veeran NanjappanPadikkadha MedhaiThiyagu Parthiban Kanavu Chozhan King ParthibanKalathur Kannamma MayorPaavai VilakkuBhaktha Sabari 1961 Kappalottiya Thamizhan Sub – Collector AshManapanthal RajasekaranThaai Sollai Thattadhe 1962 Kannadi Maligai Manager RathinamKudumba Thalaivan SomuSaradaPaadha Kaanikkai MaanickamIndira En Selvam Sekar. Dr. PaasamVeerathirumaganThaayai Kaatha Thanayan1963 Anandha Jodhi Inspector BaskarDharmam Thalai KaakkumKaanchi Thalaivan Chalukiya King PulikesiKaithiyin Kathali Naanum Oru Penn GuestEzhai PangalanNeedhikkuppin PaasamKoduthu Vaithaval ManickamPanathottam Natarajan Periya Idathu Penn SabapathyIdhu Sathiyam 1964 Andavan Kattalai ManikandanDheiva Thaai Karunakaran Muradan MuthuPanakkara Kudumbam MuthaiahPadagottiKarnan Prince DuriyodhananVettaikaaranThozhilali Murugappa1965Iravum Pagalum GovindhanKarthigai Deepam PasubathiKaattu RaniKanni Thaai VasuPanam PadaithavanPoomalai AnandVallavanukku Vallavan RameshThaayum MagalumThazhampoo Kanthasamy 1966 Chandhrodhayam Zamindar PonnambalamIru VallavargalMugaraasi JambuNaan Aanaiyittal Police Inspector ChezhiyanParakkum Paavai VidjayanPetralthan Pillaiya SekharRamu Rangan Thanipiravi Rathnapuram1967 Adhey Kangal KamalanathanArasa Kattalai Prince VilavanIru Malargal College CorrespontentKandhan Karunai Soora PadmanKannan En Kadhalan Doctor Singh Penn Endral PennSabash Thambi RameshThaikku Thalaimagan SomaiahNaanVivasayee Gurusamy1968 Andru Kanda Mugam Advocate AathmanathanKanavan ManiKadhal Vaaganam Pandjachalam Kuzhanthaikkaga The Police InspectorOli Vilakku Master JambhuRagasiya Police 115 NambirajanPudhiya Bhoomi MayandiUyarndha Manithan Doctor GopalMoondrezhuthuNeelagiri Express Bald Man Thaer Thiruvizha Solaimulanga/Somu1969 Akka ThangaiWarisHindi filmAdimai Penn King SengodanKaaval DheivamManasatchiNam Naadu Aalavandar1970 En Annan DharmarajEngal ThangamBanker SelvarajMaanavanMaattukara Velan Chairman NagalingamKann MalarThalaivan BhairavanThedi Vandha Mappillai Suresh1971 Kumari Kottam SethupathiRickshawkaran KailasamNeerum Neruppum The King MarthadhanOru Thaai Makkal Selvanayakam1972 Deivam ThiefNalla Neram DharmalingamRaman Thediya Seethai GovindanrajSange Muzhangu NagarajanShakthi Leelai Vaana Sooran1973Ganga GowriGayathriBaghdad PerazhagiKomatha En Kulamatha SengotanPattikaattu Ponnaiya Master – wrestler SingaiyaPonvandu Kannan's fatherUlagam Sutrum Valiban Scientist Bhairavan1974 Doctor AmmaVairam Thief SamyDoctorammaThai Piranthal Naan AvanillaiNetru Indru Naalai 'Perum Puli' Jambu Also producer1975 Ninaithadhai Mudippavan Police Officer JagadeeshPattikkaattu Raja Tiger 1976 Dasavatharam The King Ravanan or Ilangeswaran Nee Oru Maharani1977 Aattukara AlameluPalabishegam LandlordOlimayamana Ethirkalam Penn Jenmam Nallathukku KalamillaiGayathri Shama IyerMurugan Adimai1978 Shri Kanchi Kamakshi KabaliganIval Oru SeethaiThai Meethu Sathiyam Mela Thalangal Varadarajan 1979 Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum BhoothamDharma Yuddham Annai Oru Aalayam Hanumanthu 1980 Billa Murattu Kaalai1981 TheeRam LakshmanBala NagammaSavaalSankarlal 1982 Krodham Inspector PrasadOru Varisu Uruvagiradhu
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