K. Manikandan is an Indian screenwriter and actor who works in the Tamil film industry. He is best known of his characters in Jai Bhim (2021), Good Night (2023), Lover (2024) and Kudumbasthan (2025).
Career Manikandan participated in Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? Season 4 (Vijay TV) and finished as the runner-up of the season. Subsequently, he joined an FM channel as a radio jockey while also dubbing/voice acting for several films and TV shows. He has also written dialogues for Telugu films dubbed in Tamil.thehindu.com
He debuted as a writer with Pizza II: Villa (2013). He made his acting debut with India Pakistan (2015) and played a minor role in the Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum (2016) directed by Nalan Kumarasamy. Manikandan then played an antagonist in Sri Ganesh's debut directorial venture 8 Thottakkal (2017) alongside M. S. Bhaskar and Lallu. He penned the dialogues for Pushkar–Gayathri's third directorial venture Vikram Vedha (2017) and also played a role of a police constable in the film. In 2018, Pa. Ranjith picked Manikandan for a role in Kaala (2018). He paired with Nivedithaa Sathish in the romantic anthology film Sillu Karupatti (2019), directed by Halitha Shameem. Manikandan received critical acclaim for his role in the film, Aelay (2021).
Manikandan directed an independent film Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaritham (English Title: Endless) starring Delhi Ganesh and himself. The film was selected to participate in Bengaluru International Film Festival (2016) under ‘Indian Cinema Competition’. Endless was one of the four films to be selected for screening at 16th New York Indian Film Festival (2016).
He played the role of Rajakannu in the film Jai Bhim (2021) and won critical acclaim for his portrayal. He played the lead role in movie Good Night (2023) which became an audience favourite. In 2024, he starred in Lover, a romantic drama that received positive reviews for its realistic portrayal of modern relationships. He also joined hands with debutant director Rajeshwar Kalisamy for Kudumbasthan, which was released on 24 January 2025 in theaters to positive reviews from critics, becoming his third consecutive hit as the lead role.
Filmography As actor Year Film Role Notes2013Pizza II: VillaAssistant director Uncredited role2014Irukku Aana Illai Nainamalai2015India Pakistan Mani2015Indru Netru Naalai Film director2016Kadhalum Kadandhu PogumMurali20178 ThottakkalJaiVikram VedhaSanthanamBehindwoods Gold Medal – Best Dialogue WriterTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male)2018KaalaLenin2019Sillu KarupattiMukhilanAnthology film; segment: "Kakka Kadi" 2021AelayPaarthiReleased on Star Vijay NetrikannManikandanReleased on Disney+ HotstarJai BhimRajakannuReleased on Amazon Prime VideoBehindwoods Gold Medal – Best Actor Critics 2022Narai Ezhudhum SuyasaridhamManikandanDirecting debut; completed in 2016 Sila Nerangalil Sila ManidhargalRajasekar2023Good NightChoolaimedu Mohan2024LoverArun2025KudumbasthanNaveen
Web series Year Film Role Platform Note Ref2020Paava KadhaigalDriverNetflix under segment Love Panna Uttaranum2023MathagamPadalam SekharDisney+ Hotstar
As writer YearFilmCredited asNotesWriter2013Pizza II: Villa 2016Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaritham 2017 Vikram Vedha Vijay Award for Best Dialogue Writer2019Viswasam Thambi 2022Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal
As director Year FilmNotes2016Narai Ezhuthum SuyasarithamDebut as director
Television YearTitleRoleNetworkNotes2008Kalakka Povathu Yaaru?ContestantStar Vijay1st Runner-up2024Super Singer Season 10GuestStar Vijay
As dubbing artist YearFilmActorRole(s)Notes 2008 Bolt Todd Cummings, Lino DiSalvo, Tim Mertens Joey, Vinnie and Bobby Tamil dubbed version 2024 The Greatest of All Time Vijayakanth AI appearance2025Kantara: Chapter 1Rishab Shetty Tamil dubbed version
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