Vivek (Tamil: விவேக்; born 19 November 1961 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India as Vivekananthan) is a Tamil film actor and comedian born in the Thevar community(Kallar subcaste) from Tamil Nadu, India. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from The American College, Madurai. He is one of the leading comedians in Tamil cinema and has appeared in several films as a lead comedian through 2001 to present. In his career, Vivek has won four Filmfare Best Comedian Awards for his performances in Run, Saamy, Perazhagan and Sivaji, respectively.
In April 2009, Vivek was honoured with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India for his contribution to the arts.[1]
[edit] Style of humour
In comparison to other comedians in Tamil cinema, Vivek is more of a satirist than a slapstick comedian, who are usually popular in the Tamil film industry. Most of his humour makes people think about the problem and its solution. His roles usually draw humour from scenes of daily life in Tamil Nadu (especially Chennai) and the surrounding regions and sometimes his jokes are considered perverted. Some of his most popular jokes involve serious subjects such as bribery, over-population, and political corruption. Nevertheless, he has appeared in lighter parodies too.
[edit] Acting career
Vivek debuted in with Manathil Uruthi Vendum in 1987. He was usually a comedian in small roles till the late 1990s. He eventually had larger roles and a separate comedy track for comic relief, even in more serious movies. During his peak he was an important part of movies like Kushi, Minnale, Run and Saamy. His long pending movie where he played the lead role Solli Addipean is yet to release due to financial problems.
[edit] Personal life
Vivek is married to Kavitha with children Amritha Nandini Vivek, Tejaswini Vivek and Prasanna Kumar Vivek
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1987 | Manathil Uruthi Vendum | | |
| 1989 | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal | Vitthal | |
| Pudhu Maappillai | | |
| 1991 | Idhayavaasal | | |
| 1993 | Uzhaippali | | |
| 1994 | Veera | | |
| 1997 | Nerrukku Ner | | |
| 1998 | Kaadhal Mannan | | |
| 1998 | Kannedhirey Thondrinal | | |
| 1999 | Poomagal Oorvalam | | |
| Vaali | Vicky | |
| Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham | | |
| 2000 | Khushi | Vicky | |
| Alaipayuthey | | |
| Mugavari | | |
| Priyamanavale | | |
| 2001 | Looty | Thyagarajan | |
| Minnale | Chokkalingam | |
| Ullam Kollai Poguthae | | |
| Dumm Dumm Dumm | Jim | |
| Middle Class Madhavan | Manimaaran | |
| Lovely | Azhagesh | |
| Dhill | 'Megaserial' Mahadevan | |
| Super Kudumbam | Hari | |
| Viswanathan Ramamurthy | Ramamurthy | |
| Alli Thanda Vaanam | Tamilkirukkan | |
| 12B | Madhan | |
| Shahjahan | Bhoopathi | |
| Manadhai Thirudivittai | Valayapathi | |
| Majnu | Mano | |
| Poovellam Un Vasam | | |
| Vadukapatti Mapillai | | |
| Kottai Mariyamman | | |
| 2002 | Vivaramana Aalu | Dr. John Britto | |
| Azhagi | Desingh | |
| Rojakootam | Aarumugam | |
| Thamizhan | Nandakumar | |
| Virumbugiren | | |
| Thenkasipattinam | Mapillai | |
| Shakalaka Baby | | |
| Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke | Subbu | |
| Thenkasi Pattanam | Manikkam Pillai | |
| Youth | Karuthu Kanthaswamy | |
| Run | Mohan | Winner, Filmfare Best Comedian Award (Tamil) Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian Winner: ITFA Best Comedian Award |
| Namma Veetu Kalyanam | | |
| University | Allthotta Bhoopathi | |
| Kadhal Virus | Puthir | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Sadugudu | Super Subbu | |
| Pop Carn | | |
| Saamy | Venkatraman | Winner, Filmfare Best Comedian Award (Tamil) Winner: ITFA Best Comedian Award |
| Anbe Anbe | | |
| Parthiban Kanavu | Mano | Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian |
| Lesa Lesa | Chandru | |
| Whistle | Sahadevan | |
| Ice | | |
| Kadhal Kisu Kisu | Tamilselvan | |
| Thittikudhey | Punch Bala | |
| Three Roses | | |
| Thennavan | Mani | |
| Dhool | Narayana Swamy | |
| Boys | Mangalam | |
| Alai | Madhan | |
| Thirumalai | Pazhani | |
| Ennaku 20 Unnaku 18 | Kapil | |
| Joot | Siva | |
| 2004 | Udhaya | Basheer | |
| Aethiree | Sampath | |
| Perazhagan | Kuzhandai | Winner, Filmfare Best Comedian Award (Tamil) |
| Chellamae | Harichandra | |
| Arasatchi | | |
| M. Kumaran son of Mahalakshmi | Ganesh | |
| 2005 | Thaka Thimi Tha | Vivek | |
| Kana Kandaen | Sivaramakrishnan | |
| Anniyan | Chaari | Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian |
| Anbe Vaa | | |
| Vanakkam Thalaiva | Erirchaamy | |
| 2006 | Saravana | VC Damodaran | |
| Aadhi | Bullet | |
| Paramasivan | Agniputran | |
| Madrasi | Paandi | |
| Kalvanin Kadhali | | |
| Thiruttu Payale | Yogaraasa | |
| Madhu | Madhan | |
| Nee Venunda Chellam | Reniguntha Reddy | |
| Jambhavan | Dr. Subhash | |
| 2007 | Aalwar | Pons | |
| Agaram | | |
| Sivaji | Arivu | Winner, Filmfare Best Comedian Award (Tamil) Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian |
| Thullal | | |
| Veerappu | Rathnan | |
| Kireedam | | |
| Urchagam | Ayyanaarkudi Raja | |
| Pasupathi c/o Rasakkapalayam | Daas | |
| 2008 | Thoondil | Mack | |
| Sandai | Mani, Naattamai | |
| Singakutty | Balu | |
| Kuruvi | Ops | Winner: ITFA Best Comedian Award |
| Aayudham Seivom | Kanthaswamy | |
| Jayamkondaan | Gopal | |
| Durai | Arusuvai Ambi | |
| Bommalattam | Madurai | |
| 2009 | Padikathavan | Assault Arumugam | |
| Perumal | Idithangi, Indrasena Reddy | |
| 1977 | Paraman | |
| Guru En Aalu | Azhagappan | |
| Indira Vizha | Oppila Mani | |
| Aiyantham Padai | Thanthoni | |
| Anthony Yaar? | Kingfisher | |
| 2010 | Magane En Marumaganae | | Filming |
| Vaadaa | | Filming |
| Murattu Kaalai | | Filming |
| Thambikku Indha Ooru | 'Cola' Kumar | Filming |
| Sivappu Malai | | Filming |
| Solli Adippaen | | Delayed |
| Ilamai Idho Idho | | Filming |
| Nalvaravu | Mappu Lahari | Filming |
| Singam | | Filming |
[edit] Famous dialogues
Some of Vivek's famous comedy dialogues include:
- "Eppadi iruntha naan ippadi aahitten!" (Ice)
- "Innikku setha naalekku paal." (Puthu Puthu Arthangal)
- "Chumma, chumma..." (Ethiri)
- "Don't worry, be happy!" (Ainthaam Padai)
- "Figara paatha udana nanbana cut pannuravan enemy thaaneyaa?" (Minnale)
- "Itha nambave mudiyalayeda!" (Anniyan)
- "Yenakku kedaikka vendiyathellaam avanukku kedaikkuthey! Yenakku mattum yen intha azhukku asingam? Yenakku intha munjey vendaam!" (Kuruvi)
- "Awas Anjing" (1977)
[edit] References
[edit] External links