A. Karunanidhi – Screen comedian of Tamil cinema in the classic era best remembered for ‘Veerapandiya Kattabomman’

A. Karunanidhi (1923 – 1981) was a character artist of Tamil cinema, who excelled in comic roles. His career in cinema spanned for three decades from 1948 to 1978. His most memorable role is Sundaralingam, a servant in Kattabomman’s court who turns a spy in historic drama – Veerapandiya Kattabomman. His screen chemistry with T. P. Muthulakshmi was well appreciated those days. His role was Malayalee cook who speaks in a mix of Tamil and Malayalam in 1967 thriller, Adhey Kangal was also well received, and also his role as Pandiya in Missiamma. Thillana Mohanambal, Mahakavi Kalidas, Chitrangi, Padithal Mattum Podhuma, Paalum Pazhavum, Paadhukaappu, Lakshmi Kalyanam, Panam Panthiyile, Deivapiravi, Aalayam etc are a few more memorable roles.

A. Karunanidhi was born in Thiruvarur in year 1923. He joined film industry in 1948 with the movie, Adhithan Kanavu directed by T. R. Sundaram. His second movie, Digambara Samiyar was also directed by the same director, and initially he worked with Modern Theatres in many of his films till mid-1950s, right from debut. Very soon he turned a busy actor of Tamil cinema, and he entertained audience through his comic ‘moves’. He was suffering from diabetics during his last years and passed away in 1981. He was last seen in Anbukku Naan Adimai in 1980. He frequently worked in movies directed by A. Bhimsingh, A. P. Nagarajan, P. Neelakantan etc.

A. Karunanidhi – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Apart from acting as a comedian on screen, he used to input ideas for comic sequences for movies.

2. His screen chemistry with female comedian T. P. Muthulakshmi was an instant hit those days. They have given numerous hilarious scenes together.

3. He frequently shared screen space with comedians, Kali N. Rathnam and V. M. Ezhumalai, giving many hilarious scenes to cine viewers.

4. He also had a successful restaurant business, apart from acting. He had a restaurant named Maamiya Hotel at Thiyagaraya Nagar in Chennai, during his acting years in cinema.

5. His role in Veerapandiya Kattabomman was reprised by comedian Adoor Bhasi in the Malayalam version.