Shanmugasundaram, known by his stage name A.V.M. Rajan, (26 July 1935) is an Indian preacher and former actor who was active in Tamil cinema during the 1960s and 1970s.

A.V.M. Rajan
Born
Shanmugasundaram

(1935-07-26) 26 July 1935 (age 89)
Other namesA.V.M Rajan
Occupation(s)Preacher, actor, film producer
SpousesMeenakshi (m.1957)
Pushpalatha
(m.1964-present)
ChildrenRajan Rathnavel
Rajan Amuthan
Saraswathi (Sachu Venkat)
Ganesh Rajan
Sis.Rachel
(Formerly Mahalakshmi)
Dr. Catherine
(Formerly Abhirami)

Early life

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Born in Pudukottai, Shanmugasundaram was very eager to join cinema though he held a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Madras University.[1] His higher secondary was at Christian Sweden Mission High School. His parents wanted to see him as a police officer. He came to Madras to write the examination, but didn't fit for the exam. He was not confident as he couldn't straighten his left hand fractured at the age of 14. Instead, while working at Raj Bhavan Guindy Chennai, he tried his luck in cinema knocking on the doors of every film company to earn a better income. At long last, his relentless efforts yielded result by getting him the opportunity to enter cinema through the film Aayiram Kaalathu Payiru in which he was introduced as "Raja B.A.". Soon after, he was signed to act in the AVM's film Naanum Oru Penn also.[2]

Rajan acted in a movie produced by AVM Productions called Naanum Oru Penn, a film that starred S.S.Rajendran in the lead role. Hence he became 'A.V.M.' Rajan. Tamil actress Pushpalatha appeared in the same picture, and they became a couple and later married. They subsequently acted as a pair in many films, including Karppooram (1967) which he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. AVM Rajan has two daughters, the elder daughter Mahalakshmi was an actress between the 80s–90s. On 19 January 1984,[3] through a personal encounter with God, Rajan converted and there after became a full-time Christian preacher since 1988[4] and since then has stopped acting in movies and dramas. His wife Pushpalatha is a Catholic by birth. She hails from Coimbatore. Following Rajan's conversion, his family too is serving full-time Ministry.[5]

Filmography

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Actor
Year Film Role Language Director Co-stars Notes
1959 Sivagangai Seemai Tamil K. Shankar S. S. Rajendran His first signed movie but his scenes were chopped off.
1963 Naanum Oru Penn Balu Tamil A. C. Tirulokchandar S. S. Rajendran, C. R. Vijayakumari, Pushpalatha
Aayiram Kalathu Payir Ratnam Tamil T.S. Durairaj T.S. Durairaj, Balaji, Devika First Movie but Naanum Oru Penn got released first
Paar Magale Paar Sundaram Tamil A. Bhimsingh Sivaji Ganesan, R. Muthuraman, Pushpalatha
Thulasi Maadam Gopal Tamil K. B. Srinivasan Gemini Chandrakantha, S. N. Lakshmi, Sharadha, M. S. Sundari Bai
1964 Alli Babu Tamil S. S. Rajendran S. S. Rajendran, R. Vijayakumari, Sowcar Janaki, Pushpalatha
Chitrangi Jeyveeran Tamil R. S. Mani Pushpalatha
Pachchai Vilakku Mani Tamil A. Bhim Singh Sivaji Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran, Pushpalatha
Andavan Kattalai Ramu Tamil K. Shankar Sivaji Ganesan, Devika, Pushpalatha
Main Bhi Ladki Hoon Hindi A. C. Tirulokchandar Dharmendra, Pushpalatha Remake of Naanum Oru Penn
1965 Ennathan Mudivu Kumaran Tamil K.S. Gopalakrishnan T.S Balaiah, V.S. Ragavan, Anjali Devi In This Film He has got the title 'Nadippu Sudar'
Veera Abhimanyu Abhimanyu Tamil V. Madhusudhana Rao Gemini Ganesan, Kanchana, Anjali Devi
Enga Veetu Penn Chandran Tamil Tapi Chanakya Jaishankar, Vijaya Nirmala
1966 Kodimalar Thambi Durai Tamil C. V. Sridhar R. Muthuraman, C. R. Vijayakumari, Kanchana
Thattungal Thirakkappadum Doctor Tamil J. P. Chandrababu R. S. Manohar, Savithri, J. P. Chandrababu, K. R. Vijaya, Cho Ramaswamy
Namma Veettu Lakshmi Chandru Tamil B.R. Panthulu R. Muthuraman, Vanisri
Major Chandrakanth Rajinikanth Tamil K. Balachander Major Sundarrajan, Nagesh, R. Muthuraman, Jayalalitha Remake of Hindi film Oonche Log
1967 Manam Oru Kurangu Gopinath Tamil A. T. Krishnaswamy R. Muthuraman, K.R. Vijaya, Cho
Pandhayam Somu Tamil A. Kasilingam Gemini Ganesan, Vijaya Nirmala Remade into Hindi as Sachaai
Karpooram Tamil C. N. Shanmugam Pushpalatha, Manorama, T.S Balaiah, S.A. Asokan, Sri Kanth
1968 Poovum Pottum Prakash Tamil Dada Mirasi S. V. Ranga Rao, P. Bhanumathi, R. Muthuraman, Pandari Bai, Bharathi, Nagesh
Galatta Kalyanam Mohan Tamil C. V. Rajendran Sivaji Ganesan, Nagesh, Cho Ramaswamy, Jayalalitha
Thillana Mohanambal Thangarathnam Tamil A. P. Nagarajan Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini
Jeevanamsam Balu Tamil Malliyam Rajagopal Jaishankar, Lakshmi, C. R. Vijayakumari, Pushpalatha, Sowkar Janaki, Nagesh
Chakkaram Jambu Tamil A. Kasilingam Gemini Ganesan, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Sowkar Janaki, Nagesh
1969 Thulaabaram Ramu Tamil A. Vincent Kanchana, Sharada, Muthuraman Remake of Malayalam film Thulabharam
Thunaivan Velayudham Tamil M. A. Thirumugam Sowkar Janaki, Nagesh
Annaiyum Pithavum Bhaskar Tamil AVM Brothers Vanisri, Lakshmi, Nagesh, Sivakumar
Mannippu Advocate Kumar Tamil 25th Film
Chellapen Tamil K. Krishnamurthy Pushpalatha, Manorama, Cho Sowkar Janaki was initially signed for the movie. Shooting had progressed to some extent, after which she was replaced by Pushpalatha
Magizhampoo Pasupathy Tamil V T Arasu Pushpalatha
Paal Kudam Tamil Pattu Pushpalatha, Lakshmi
1970 Engal Thangam Moorthy Tamil Krishnan–Panju M. G. Ramachandran, Pushpalatha
Dharisanam Pandian/ Chandramohan Tamil V. T. Arasu Pushpalatha, Srikanth, Cho, Manorama Double Role
Anadhai Anandhan Selvam Tamil Krishnan–Panju Jayalalithaa, R. S. Manohar, Anjali Devi, Master Sekhar Hindi Version of Chanda Aur Bijli
Noorandu Kaalam Vazhga Rajan Tamil K. Sampath Kanchana, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, L. Vijayalakshmi
Yaen? Ramu Tamil T. R. Ramanna Ravichandran, Lakshmi, Vennira Aadai Nirmala
1971 Irulum Oliyum Thyagarajan (Thyagu) Tamil Puttanna Kanagal Vanisri, R. Muthuraman
Pattondru Ketten Tamil S. Raghavan Rajshree, Nagesh,
Deivam Pesuma Dr Sundaram Tamil Chinni-Sampath8 Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Sandhya Rani
Thirumagal Raju Tamil A. S. A. Sami Gemini Ganesan, Sivakumar, Lakshmi
1972 Agathiyar Lord Shiva Tamil A. P. Nagarajan Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. R. Mahalingam, Sivakumar, Lakshmi, C. R. Vijayakumari, Kumari Padmini, 'Baby' Sridevi
Kandavarundo Malayalam Mallikarjuna Rao Sadhana, Vincent
Thangadurai Rangen Tamil A. Kasilingam Sowcar Janaki, Master Sekhar
Thaikku Oru Pillai Thiyagaraj Tamil Pattu Jaishankar, Savitri, Vennira Aadai Nirmala
Shakthi Leelai Prohithar Tamil T. R. Ramanna Gemini Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, K. R. Vijaya, Sivakumar, B. Saroja Devi, Ushanandini, Manjula
Deiva Sankalpam Ravi Tamil P. R. Somu C. R. Vijayakumari, Cho
Bathilukku Bathil Kumaran Tamil C. P. Jambulingam Muthuraman, C. R. Vijayakumari, Vennira Aadai Nirmala
Aval Tamil A. C. Tirulokchandar Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Shashikumar, Srikanth
Puguntha Veedu Bhaskar Tamil Pattu Ravichandran, Savitri, Lakshmi, Chandrakala
Akka Thamudu Telugu Krishnan–Panju Jayalalithaa, R. Muthuraman, Anjali Devi, Master Sekhar Dubbed movie of Anadhai Anandhan
Dheivam Kadhirvelu Tamil M. A. Thirumugam Gemini Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Sowcar Janaki, R. Muthuraman, Sivakumar
1973 Manipayal Arun Tamil A. Jagannathan Jayanthi, Master Sekhar
Engal Thaai Ragunath Tamil Malliyam Rajagopal Savitri, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Srikanth
Nee Ullavarai Tamil C. V. Ramana Kumari Padmini, Pandari Bai 50th Film
Amman Arul Tamil Pattu Jaishankar, Manjula
Anbu Sagodharargal Durairaj Tamil Lakshmi Deepak S. V. Ranga Rao, Jaishankar, Jamuna, Devika, Sivakumar, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Prameela Remake of Telugu movie Pandanti Kapuram
Dheiva Vamsam Tamil K. Vijayan Chandrakala
Veettu Mappillai Tamil A. K. Subramaniam Savitri, Prameela
Thirumalai Deivam Narathan Tamil A. P. Nagarajan Gemini Ganesan, K. B. Sundarambal, R. Muthuraman, Sivakumar, Lakshmi, Srividya
Veettukku Vandha Marumagal Tamil R. Vittal Ravichandran, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Latha
Pasa Deepam Rajarathna Tamil Pattu Manjula, Sowcar Janaki
Pennai Nambungal Ramu Tamil B. V. Srinivasan Jayanthi, Sivakumar, Jayachitra
Manidharil Manikkam Boopathy Tamil C. V. Rajendran Sivaji Ganesan, Prameela
Nyayam Ketkirom Tamil C. V. Rajendran Vennira Aadai Nirmala, R. Muthuraman, Kanchana, Cho, Manorama, VK Ramasamy,
Prarthanai Tamil Kousikan Sowkar Janaki, Vennira Aadai Nirmala
1974 Sivagamiyin Selvan Wing Commander Raghu Tamil C. V. Rajendran Sivaji Ganesan, Vanisri, Latha
Doctoramma Raja Tamil Sornam Manjula
Ore Satchi Madhavan Tamil K. Vijayan P. R. Varalakshmi, Major Sundarrajan, M. N. Rajam
Magalukkaga Muruga Tamil M. Krishnan Jaya

75th Film,
Remake of Telugu film Drohi

Murugan Kaattiya Vazhi Muniyandi Tamil P. Madhavan Nagesh, Srikanth, Vijayakumar, Vidhubala, Sripriya, Vijaya Chandrika
Pathu Madha Bandham Chandran Tamil Krishnan–Panju P. Bhanumathi, B. Saroja Devi, R. Muthuraman, Ravichandran, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Rajasree
1975 Annadammula Anubandham Venu Gopal Rao Telugu S. D. Lal N. T. Rama Rao, Murali Mohan, Latha, Kanchana, Pushpalatha
Enakkoru Magan Pirappan Tamil M. Krishnan Shubha, Vidhubala
Thiruvarul Kumara Devan Tamil R. Thyagarajan Jaya, Major Sundarrajan
1976 Rojavin Raja Gopal Tamil K. Vijayan Sivaji Ganesan, Vanisri
Thayilla Kuzanthai Tamil R.Thiyagarajan Vijayakumar jayachitra Asokan
1977 Murugan Adimai Tamil R.Thyagarajan R.Muthuraman, K.R. Vijaya
Navarathinam Raja Tamil A. P. Nagarajan M. G. Ramachandran, Pushpalatha
Unnai Suttrum Ulagam Tamil Kamal Haasan, Jayalalithaa
1978 Thai Meethu Sathiyam Babu's Father Tamil Rajnikanth, Ambareesh, Mohan Babu
1980 Billa Inspector Varma Tamil R. Krishnamurthy Rajinikanth
1981 Thee Ramaiah Tamil Rajinikanth
1982 Oorum Uravum Chandrasekhar Tamil Major Sunderarajan, PushpaRajan Sivaji Ganesan, KR Vijaya, Nizhalgal Ravi, Major Sunderarajan
1984 Nandri IGP Tamil AVM Rajan Karthik, Nalini, Mahalakshmi (Daughter of AVM Rajan), Arjun Sarja
1987 Veeran Veluthambi IG of Police Tamil Rama Narayanan Vijayakanth, Radha Ravi
Producer
  • Oorum Uravum
  • Lorry Driver Rajakannu
  • Nandri

References

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  1. ^ "Tamil Supporting Actor Avm Rajan – Nettv4u".
  2. ^ Matrimony, Kalyanamalai – KM. "Kalyanamalai Magazine – Serial story, Thiraichuvai – Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema, AVM. Rajan". www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com.
  3. ^ "Tamil Movie Actor | Bro. A V M Rajan | Heavenly Testimony | English - Malayalam | TPM - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  4. ^ "TAMIL CHRISTIAN- Bro - A V M RAJAN - 24 09 2017-SUNDAY". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Dinakaran". Archived from the original on 30 June 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
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