This is the filmography of Indian actor Jaishankar, who performed roles ranging from hero to villain. He was credited on screen with the title of Makkal Kalaignar Jaishankar or Makkal Tamilan in most of his films, sometimes referred to as Thennagathu James Bond (South Indian James Bond). In the era dominated by Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan and Ravichandran, he created his own niche with portrayals of westernised characters.
Jaishankar made his film debut in 1965, in the film Iravum Pagalum, directed by Joseph Thaliath Jr. The film was released on 14 January 1965 on Thai Pongal day. Despite facing competition from Enga Veettu Pillai and Pazhani, released on the same day, the film become a commercial success. He generally starred in romance, comedy and action films (especially as detective). In the following year he acted in Enga Veettu Penn (1965), Panchavarna Kili, where he played in a dual role, and the film become a commercial success. Jaishankar starred in Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum (1965), where he played a divorced husband, an adaptation of Disney's The Parent Trap, directed by Krishnan–Panju, produced by AVM Productions. It was a commercial success and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, and in Nee, he played a college student, pairing with Jayalalithaa for the first time, which become a commercial success. In 1966, he acted in the Psychological thriller film Yaar Nee?, produced by P. S. Veerappa, it was remake of the Hindi film Woh Kaun Thi? (1964). The film became successful at the box office. In 1967, he acted in the romantic-comic fantasy film Pattanathil Bhootham, starring with K. R. Vijaya, the film was heavily inspired by the 1964 American film The Brass Bottle, the film was directed by M. V. Raman, and the film was released on Tamil Puthandu. Despite facing competition from Magaraasi, released on same day, it become a major commercial success. In 1969, he acted in a comedy film Poova Thalaiya, where he played the role of a successful son-in-law, who will compete with an arrogant aunt. The film was a box office success, running for 100 days in many centers of Tamil Nadu and also all over India. In the same year he gives another major success; Akka Thangai, he played a suspected brother and the film was directed by M. A. Thirumugam. The film was huge hit at the box office and won the Tamil Nadu Film Award for Best Film (Second Prize). He starred in Mannippu, where he played an artist and falsely charged his finance missing case, it becomes a successful at the box office and the film was remake of Malayalam film Padunna Puzha.
In Maanavan (1970), he played a young man who becomes a district administrator from the poverty level. Maanavan proved a commercial success. In 1970 he acted comedy film Veettuku Veedu, based on the play Thikku Theriyadha Veettil and later 2001 Viswanathan Ramamoorthy based on this film, it became a huge hit at the box office. He starred in Ethirkalam with Gemini Ganesan and he acted western-adventure film Kalam Vellum (1970), all the films became successful at the box office. In Nootrukku Nooru (1971), he played a college professor, who is accused by three college girls of sexual harassment, the film was directed by K. Balachander under his production Kalakendra. It was one of the film milestones of Shankar's career and he won the Film Fans Association Best Actor Award in 1971.
Jaishankar worked under Modern Theatres film such as Iru Vallavargal (1966), Vallavan Oruvan (1966), Kadhalithal Podhuma (1967), Naangu Killadigal, Neelagiri Express (1968), CID Shankar, Karundhel Kannayiram (1972), Thedi Vandha Lakshmi (1973).
Between 1980 and 1999 Jaishankar emerged with latest actors like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Thiagarajan, Mohan, Prabhu, Arjun, Vijay and played lead villain and in character role. In Murattu Kalai (1980), he reprised his villain role and co-starred with Rajinikanth. In Vidhi (1984), he played a rich criminal lawyer and father of playboy son, the film became a commercial success. In 1984, he acted in the thriller film 24 Mani Neram, where he played an investigator, the film was directed by Manivannan and in the same year he worked under Balu Mahendra's in Neengal Kettavai. In 1985, he played actress Nadhiya's father's role in Poove Poochooda Vaa, directed by Fazil. Later, he acted in horror-thriller films such as Yaar? and Pillai Nila (both released in 1985) and he played in the crime thriller film Saavi, in which he played a CID Inspector and solved a murder case. The film was based on American film Dial M for Murder. The film was a commercial hit at the box office. In the film Oomai Vizhigal (1986), he ran unprofitable Magazine Dhinamurasu, he was an editor of the magazine, the film was made by Film college students and ran over 100 days in theatres. In 1989, he acted in science fiction-horror film Naalai Manithan, in which he played a mad scientist who invents as drug which gives back life to the dead if injected within two hours of death, it became a profitable venture.
Filmography
1960s + Year Film Role Note(s) 1965 Iravum Pagalum Rajasekar VilakketriyavalPanchavarna Kili Sekar/Balu Nee! Sundaram Enga Veettu Penn NarayananKuzhandaiyum Deivamum Chandrasekar 1966 Iru Vallavargal Rajan Yaar Nee? Dr. Anand Naam Moovar Kadhal Paduthum Paadu Raju Gowri Kalyanam Raju Vallavan Oruvan CID Shankar 1967 Penne Nee Vaazhga Sabash Thambi Sekhar Pattanathil Bhootham Bhaskar Raja Veetu PillaiRaja Bhavani Chinna Durai Uyir Mel Aasai Selva Magal Sekhar Ponnana Vazhvu Muhurtha Naal Raju Kadhalithal Podhuma Ravi Naan Yaar Theriyuma 1968 Anbu Vazhi Thanga ValayalNeelagiri Express CID Inspector Shankar Teacheramma Somu Deiveega Uravu Bommalattam Sukumar Puthisaligal Nervazhi Balu Paal Manam Muthu Chippi Prabha Jeevanamsam Moorthi Uyira Maanama Siritha Mugam 1969 Anbalippu Raja Akka Thangai Shankar Nil Gavani Kadhali CID Shankar Poova Thalaiya Shankar Aayiram Poi Ravi Magane Nee Vazhga Pennai Vazha Vidungal Anand Kanni Penn Inspector Sundaram Naangu Killadigal Anandan (a) Kumar Ponnu Mappillai Ramesh Manasatchi Athai Magal Sekar Mannippu Gopi
1970s + Year Film Role Note(s) 1970 Penn Deivam Police Inspector Ethirkalam Rathinam CID Shankar CID Shankar Veettuku Veedu Vasudevan Maanavan Kathiresan Kadhal Jothi Kalam Vellum Velu Kannan Varuvan Nilave Nee Satchi Mohan 1971 Pudhiya Vazhkai Shankar Naangu Suvargal Raja Nootrukku Nooru Professor Prakash Kulama Gunama Raja Veettukku Oru Pillai Mohan Thanga Gopuram Durai Anbukkor Annan Needhi Dhevan Kettikaran CID Raju / Babu Soodhattam 1972 Ganga Ganga Rani Yaar Kuzhanthai Shankar Kadhalikka Vanga Tamil Arasu Nawab Naarkali Ravi Karunthel Kannayiram AshokArun Thaikku Oru Pillai Kanimuthu Paappa Raja Film World – Volume 14 – Page cccvi Avasara Kalyanam Sekar Delhi To Madras Agent Ramu Savalukku Savaal Varaverpu Jakkamma Jambu Unakkum Enakkum Ashirvadham Mappillai Azhaippu Anand Ponmagal Vandhal 1973 Vaayadi Vijaya Arangetram Jaishankar Guest Appearance Vandhaale Magaraasi Dr. Sundaram Thalai Prasavam Amman Arul Shankar Anbu Sagodharargal Prem Thedi Vandha Lakshmi Inspector Mohan Kumar / Ramesh / Kannan Iraivan Irukkindran Ponvandu Kannan Vakkuruthi Narendran Deiva Kuzhandhaigal 1974 Kalyanamam Kalyanam Muthu Pillai Selvam Idhayam Parkiradhu 100th Film Thanga Valayal Thirudi Vairam Raja Ungal Viruppam Prayachittham Raju Athaiya Mamiya Shankar Unnaithan Thambi Akkarai Pachai Kaliyuga Kannan Krishnan Pandhattam Ashok 1975 Enga Pattan Sothu Hotel Sorgam Cinema Paithiyam Jaishankar Yarukku Maappillai Yaro Seetharaman Pinju Manam Sondhangal Vazhga Thottathellam Ponnagum Apoorva Raagangal Jaishankar Guest Appearance Unga Veettu Kalyanam Eduppar Kai Pillai Thai Veetu Seedhanam Avalukku Aayiram Kangal 1976 Ore Thanthai Thunive Thunai CID Anand 125th FilmNee Oru Maharani Mayor Meenakshi Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal Panakkara Penn Raja Mittai Mummy 1977 Andru Sinthiya Ratham Uyarnthavargal Guest Appearance Sonthamadi Nee Enakku Rasi Nalla Rasi Avar Enakke Sontham Maamiyar Veedu Palabishegham Kumaran Oruvanukku Oruthi Gaslight Mangamma Rowdy Rakkamma Aasai Manaivi Kalamadi Kalam Gaayathri Ganesh Chakravarthy Nallathukku Kalamillai 1978 Aval Oru Adhisayam Vazha Ninaithal Vazhalam Ganga Yamuna Kaveri Mudi Sooda Mannan Vikraman Ithu Eppadi Irukku Ganesh Makkal Kural Ilaya Rani Rajalakshmi Taxi Driver 150th Film Ullathil Kuzhanthaiyadi Sakka Podu Podu Raja Raja Vandikaran Magan Rajavuketha Rani Panchamirdham Mela Thalangal 1979 Nenjukku Needhi Mayandi Naan Oru Kai Paarkiren Kadamai Nenjam Kuzhandhaiyai Thedi Kamasasthiram Aadu Pambe Dhairya Lakshmi Kizhakkum Merkum Sandhikkindrana Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi Shankar Mahalakshmi
1980s Year Film Role Notes 1980 Jamboo Jambu Kaalam Badhil Sollum 175th Film Saranam Ayyappa CID Shankar Guest Appearance Murattu Kaalai Pannaiyar 1981 Kanni Theevu Pandiyan Savaal Shankar Garjanai Parasuram Kulakozhundhu Anjatha Nenjangal Chinnadurai Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum Kumaran Needhi Pizhaithathu Ellam Inba Mayyam Kailasa Mudaliyar 1982 Vazhvey Maayam Shankar Pattanathu Rajakkal Thanikattu Raja Ethiraj Auto Raja Ramu Theerpu Govindan Kelviyum Naane Pathilum Naane Rajagopal Guest appearance Om Shakti Guest Appearance Thaai Mookaambikai Kannappan Nandri, Meendum Varuga Asthivaram Oru Varisu Uruvagiradhu Adhisayappiravigal Inspector 1983 Ennai Paar En Azhagai Paar Paayum Puli Ranjith Uruvangal Maralam God Guest Appearance Kai Varisai 200th Film Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum Vairam Bhookambam Sethu Varman Malayalam film Thudikkum Karangal Ramesh Thai Veedu Anand Thambathigal Sattam Ramesh Adutha Varisu Jamindhar Guest Appearance Indru Nee Nalai Naan Marudhachalam Malaiyoor Mambattiyan DSP Ranjith Apoorva Sahodarigal Thanga Magan Rajalingam 1984 Amma Irukka Thiruppam Vidhi "Tiger" Dayanidhi Idhu Enga Boomi Guest Appearance Vengaiyin Mainthan Sattathai Thiruthungal Vaazhkai David Guest Appearance Vellai Pura Ondru Sarithira Nayagan Guest Appearance Neengal Kettavai Muthulingam Alaya Deepam Veetuku Oru Kannagi Inspector Chandrasekhar Guest Appearance 24 Mani Neram Vijay Anbulla Rajinikanth Jaishankar Guest Appearance Ezhuthatha Sattangal Justice Thiyagarajan Naalai Unathu Naal Devadas Iru Medhaigal Chandrasekar Guest Appearance Kudumbam Shankar Kadamai 1985 Aandavan Sothu 225th Film Bandham Raheem Mookkanan Kaiyiru Anni Sivappu Nila Nermai Jaikumar Poove Poochooda Vaa Sundaram Veli Engal Kural Raja, Thyagu and Shanthi's father Guest Appearance Anthasthu Sanjeevi Yaar? Rajaram Arthamulla Aasaigal Customs Inspector Ganesh Avan Chakravarthy Neethiyin Marupakkam Oonjaladum Uravugal 250th Film Saaavi CID Shankar Padikkadavan Chakravarthy Samaya Purathale Satchi Pillai Nila David 1986 Meendum Pallavi Marumagal Dr. Shankar Rasigan Oru Rasigai Kaithiyin Theerpu Murattu Karangal Kaali Naanum Oru Thozhilali Sundar Dharmam Saravanan Enakku Nane Needipathi Inspector Devaraj Kanne Kaniyamuthe Bathil Solval Bhadrakali Oomai Vizhigal Chandran Annai En Dheivam J.K.J Durai Kodai Mazhai 275th Film Kulirkaala Megangal Maaveeran Harry 1987 Kadhal Parisu Kailash Solvadhellam Unmai Jagan Kathai Kathayam Karanamam Paruva Ragam Ravi's father Veerapandiyan CID Shankar Vairakkiyam Annapoorni's husband Enga Ooru Pattukaran Manjampetti Guest Appearance Oru Thayin Sabhatham Thyagarajan Guest Appearance Vilangu DIG Jayaraman Poove Ilam Poove Cooliekkaran Marthandan Evargal Indiyargal Savitri's father Guest Appearance Anjatha Singam Inspector Rajasekhar Ivargal Varungala Thoongal 1988 Oorai Therinjikitten Thangadurai En Jeevan Paduthu Guest Appearance Rocky Telugu film Thaai Paasam 1989 Naalaiya Manithan Doctor Thaai Naadu Christopher Apoorva Sagodharargal Sathyamoorthy Poruthathu Pothum Police inspector David Ponmana Selvan Mettupalayam Jameen Guest Appearance Dravidan Mappillai Rajarajeswari's Husband Pudhu Mappillai
1990s