Sundar Raj – Popular Kannada Supporting Actor

Sundar Raj is a popular character artist of South Indian cinema, who has appeared in more than 180 films, predominantly in Kannada language. His wife Pramila Joshai is a Kannada character artist best known for playing Vaidehi in Tamil cult classic, Vaidehi Kaathirunthal. Their daughter Meghana Raj is a popular south Indian actress, and son-in-law Chiranjeevi Sarja, a member of Sarja film family was a popular young actor of Kannada cinema. Sundar Raj is best known for his supporting roles in Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu, Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Chandanada Gombe, Mathadana, Aakasmika, Ondanondu Kaladalli etc.

He is of Tamil origin

Though M. K. Sundar Raj is best known for his association with Kannada films, he is of Tamil origin. He is a stage actor turned film actor, and during his theatre days, he worked with acclaimed artist B. V. Karanth’s theatre troupe. He turned active in films since 1980s, and did many memorable roles in the 1990s and 2000s. Immadi Pulikeshi (1967) was one of his early works. Pallavi Anupallavi, Kaadu, Thrishula, Raja Maharaja, Kaliyuga, Lorry Driver, Shakthi, Avane Nanna Ganda, Hosa Madam, Banker Margayya etc are a few more memorable roles.

Sundar Raj – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Best known as a Kannada actor, he acted in 15 Tamil films too.

2. His daughter Meghana Raj was married to actor Chiranjeevi Sarja, who died of heart attack in 2020 in his late 30s.

3. His son-in-law Chiranjeevi Sarja was the nephew of famous south Indian film actor Arjun Sarja, and grandson of Kannada villain of yesterdays, Shakti Prasad. Chiranjeevi’s brother Dhruva Sarja and cousin Aishwarya Arjun are also film actors.

4. A veteran artist of Kannada entertainment industry, he serves as the Secretary of the Kannada Film Artist Association.

5. He has been honored with a Doctorate by Medicina Alternativa, The Open University of Colombo.

6. His wife Pramila Joshai is a National award winning film producer too, best known for producing Thaayi in 2005, which won National film award for best movie in Kannada.