Karunas (born as Karunanidhi Sethu; February 21, 1970) is an Indian actor, comedian, composer, playback singer and politician in the Tamil film industry. Appearing mostly in supporting roles, he has also played main lead roles in films including Dindigul Sarathy (2008) and Ambasamudram Ambani (2008). Apart from acting, Karunas has also been credited in films as a producer, music composer and a singer, while he continues to serve as the Vice-President of the Nadigar Sangam, after being elected in October 2015.[1]
Karunas | |
|---|---|
 Karunas | |
| Vice president of Tamilan Artistes' Association | |
| Assumed office 10 October 2015 | |
| Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Thiruvadanai constituency | |
| In office 19 May 2016 – 2 May 2021 | |
| President of Mukkulathor Pulipadai | |
| In office 2015–2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Karunanidhi Sethu February 21, 1970 Kuruvikkarambai, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Political party | Mukkulathor Pulipadai |
| Spouse | Grace Karunas |
| Children | 2 (including Ken Karunas) |
| Occupation | Actor, Comedian, Composer, Playback singer, Politician |
Early life
editKarunas was born on February 21, 1970, in Kuruvikkarambai, a village in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.[2] He did his schooling at Palangudi Bharathi School and later studied at Nandanam Arts, Presidency College. Karunas began his career as pop singer and dancer, working extensively on Tamil folk music.[3][4] He then gradually appeared in films as a comedian.
Film career
editKarunas began work as a folk singer aged 12, earning the moniker "Gaana" Karunas, and made his television debut through Yuhi Sethu's Naiyaandi Darbar show in the late 1990s as a musician.[5] Director Bala heard one of his songs and subsequently signed Karunas on for an acting role in his second directorial venture, the drama film Nandha (2001).[6] He was cast as the comedian and his role as 'Lodukku' it was successful , prompting him to accept further film offers.[7] He subsequently went on to appear in notable films including Baba (2002), Pithamagan (2003), Vasool Raja MBBS (2004) and Polladhavan (2007) in supporting comedy roles. Karunas has also distributed two films, Pori (2007) and Kattradhu Thamizh (2007), but the failure of both films has prompted him to stay away from distributing any further ventures.[7]
Karunas first appeared in the lead role in the comedy drama, Dindigul Sarathy (2008), portraying an insecure man with an inferiority complex. With heavy promotions by Sun Pictures, the film became a surprise success at the box office and prompted Karunas to appear in further lead roles in the comedy films Ambasamudram Ambani (2010), Chandhamama (2013), Ragalaipuram (2013) and Lodukku Pandi (2015).[8] In between the films, he also essayed serious performances, and was briefly involved in the making of Thanga Meengal (2013) before it underwent a change of cast, while he was successful for his role in Santosh Sivan's war drama film, Ceylon (2014).[9] His films as the lead hero, gradually had lower key promotions than the previous ones, and in 2015, Karunas announced he would not appear in any further lead roles.[10] He subsequently made a return to starring supporting roles thereafter, being successful for his performance of a suicidal man in Darling (2015) and as a villager in Komban (2015), which became his hundredth film.[11] In Azhagu Kutti Chellam (2016), Karunas has given one of his career best performances .[12][13] He has also continued to act in comedy films including Jithan 2, Enakku Innoru Per Irukku, Dhilluku Dhuddu and Ka Ka Ka Po. Karunas plays the responsible uncle, more than a comedian in Soorarai Pottru (2020) which has been a commercial success.[14] In 2024, Karunas shines in a role that showcases his acting prowess in Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai.[15]
Political career
editHe was the leader of Mukkulathor Pulipadai, a Thevar political outfit. He contested for the Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly from Thiruvadanai in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election 2016 with AIADMK's Two Leaves (Irratai Ilai) as his election symbol.
On 25 February 2017, an unidentified person threw footwear at Karunas' car while out to garland a statue of freedom fighter U. Muthuramalingam Thevar. It is believed that the incident could be connected to his support of AIADMK leader V. K. Sasikala.[16]
Personal life
editKarunas is married to Grace, a playback singer in the Tamil film industry. The pair had met when Karunas was the guest judge at an inter-collegiate singing competition, and after being impressed, Karunas asked her to sing in his personal music album.[17][18] The couple have a daughter and a son named Ken Karunas who is a child artist in the movie industry, who was born in 2001, making his debut in Ragalaipuram.
Karunas's younger brother, Nagas, was set to making his acting debut through C. Ranganathan's Vantharu Jaicharu, but the film eventually did not release.[19]
Partial filmography
editAs an actor
editAs a composer
edit| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Rajathi Raja | |
| 2010 | Ambasamudram Ambani | |
| 2011 | Kasethan Kadavulada | |
| 2016 | Pagiri | songs only |
| Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru | Composed one song "Locality Boys" |
As a playback singer
edit| Year | Film | Song | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Shree | "Madurai Jilla" | T.S Muralidharan | |
| 2004 | Kaadhal | "Pura Koondu" | Joshua Sridhar | |
| 2005 | Kadhal Seiya Virumbu | "Elam Elam" | G. Ram | |
| 2005 | Thunichal | "Katikalama" | Premji Amaren | |
| 2006 | Thalaimagan | "Uppumootai" | Paul J. | |
| 2006 | Prathi Gnayiru 9 Manimudhal 10.30 Varai | "Dhumkara" | John Peter | |
| 2007 | Chennai 600028 | "Jalsa" (Remix) | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2009 | Rajathi Raja | "Kathirikka" | Himself | |
| 2011 | Kasethan Kadavulada | "Kasethan" | Himself | |
| 2013 | Chandhamama | "Koyambedu Silk Akka" | Srikanth Deva | Also lyrics |
| Ceylon | "Londoniley" | Vishal Chandrashekhar | ||
| Ragalaipuram | "Obamavum Ingethan" | Srikanth Deva | ||
| 2015 | Darling | "Vandha Mala" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
| 2016 | Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru | "Locality Boys" | himself, Bobo Shashi | also lyrics |
References
edit- ^ "Comedy proves a cakewalk". The Hindu. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "An interview with Karunas". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 7 February 2005. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "I cannot eat, sleep and breathe movies: Karunas". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Karunas opens up". Newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ Prathibha Parameswaran (4 June 2005). "Laughing all the way". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 February 2019.[dead link]
- ^ "கலைத்துறைக்கு வராவிட்டால் ரவுடியாகி இருப்பேன்! - கருணாஸ்" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 9 December 2001. pp. 28–30. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ a b "It's Karunas' call". The Hindu. 15 February 2008. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Karunas - Tamil Movie Actor Interview - Karunas - Ambasamudiram Ambani - Navneet Kaur - Dindugul Sarathy - Behindwoods.com". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ Kamath, Sudhish (16 November 2013). "A special point of view". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Karunas' last movie comes to screen soon - Tamil Diplomat". Tamildiplomat.com. 29 January 2015. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Karunas makes century". Hey Tamil Cinema. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Azhagu Kutti Chellam review. Azhagu Kutti Chellam Tamil movie review, story, rating".
- ^ "This popularity is something I wasn't prepared for: Actor Karunas". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ^ "Soorarai Pottru review".
- ^ ""Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai" Movie Review".
- ^ "Footwear hurled at AIADMK MLA Karunas' car". Indianexpress.com. 25 February 2017. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ Ashok Kumar, S. R. (5 September 2008). "My First Break -- Grace Karunas". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Karunas has multifaceted talents". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "New launches - Tamil films". 14 August 2003. Archived from the original on 14 August 2003.
