Virudhunagar Kanthan Ramasamy (1 January 1926 – 24 December 2002) better known as VKR was an Indian actor, comedian and film producer who was known for his versatility in various character roles, he played in Tamil films from 1947 to 2001.

Biography V. K. Ramasamy was born in Amaravilaa, Madras State, now Tamil Nadu on 1 January 1926 to Kanthan Chettiyar and Angammal. The veteran character actor and comedian, was interested in acting since childhood joined Bala Gana Sabha of Ponnusamy Pillai. Ramasamy shot into prominence when, at the age of 21, he donned the role of a 60-year-old father of grown-up sons in Naam Iruvar (1947), first film of the AVM Films. "VKR" as the actor became known, did not look back since then. However, he always got to play only an elderly person throughout his career, which spanned over five decades in which he acted in over 500 films. In the 1960s and 1970s, Ramasamy acted with almost all leading actors including T. R. Mahalingam, M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Jai Shankar, Ravichandran, Muthuraman, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth.

Kamal Haasan mentioned veteran V. K. Ramasamy as one of the important persons (/ inspiration) in his life among 60 persons of his (Kamalhaasan) 60 year cinema career. He showed V. K. Ramasamy's image (along with those of the other 59 important persons of his life, including Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Rajnikanth, Nagesh and his guru K.Balachander) in Kamal Haasan's 60th year function ("Ungal Naan" function) at 17 November 2019, Nehru Auditorium, Chennai.

Rajinikanth has shared the profit of Arunachalam with eight producers as Guru Dhatchanai. V.K. Ramasamy was one of the producers of that movie and benefited from the profit share.

Both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth showed their respect and love of the most senior actor of the film industry Mr.V.K.Ramasamy. Also Malayalam director Fazil has collaborated with V.K.Ramasamy in his Tamil movies such as Poove Poochooda Vaa, Arangetra Velai, Varusham Padhinaaru. Comedy actor Dr.Charle mentioned V.K.Ramasamy as his mentor in many interviews and stages, also submitted a chapter in his thesis about the V.K.Ramasamy's contribution of humor in Tamil cinema.

Ramasamy was known for his dialogue delivery, especially as a villain or comedian. He was at ease playing any role and paired with the veteran comedienne, Manorama, to play some memorable roles in Tamil films. Peers always respected his old world values of discipline on the sets. In the later part of his career, Ramasamy produced over 15 films. Among his last films was Dumm Dumm Dumm, that represents the fourth generation of Tamil cinema.

Personal life Ramasamy was married to Ramani and had two sons R. Raghu and Ravikumar. Raghu is a director who made films like Vigneshwar and Katta Panchayathu.

Death Ramasamy died on 24 December 2002, after a brief illness. He was 76. The end came in the morning a day after VKR was discharged from the hospital, where he had been admitted for a variety of complaints including hypertension, diabetes and cardiac problems.

Partial filmography Actor He acted in many number of films with Tamil film heroes playing the roles of comedian and supporting characters.

Year FilmRole Notes1947 Nam Iruvar Shanmugam Pillai 1950 Digambara Samiyar Velayudha Pillai 1951 Singari 1952 Chinna Durai Raja Sri Krishnan 1952 Parasakthi Narayana Pillai 1952 Panam N S Krishnan 1953 Azhagi 1956 Vazhvile Oru Naal Vazhavanthan 1957 Iru Sagodharigal Subbaiah Pillai 1959 Vaazha Vaitha Deivam 1959 Nalla Idathu Sammandham Muthu's father 1959 Ulagam Sirikkirathu 1959 Veerapandiya Kattabomman Ettayappan 1960 Ponni Thirunaal 1960 Sangilithevan 1961 Yar Manamagan? 1961 Panam Panthiyile 1962 Kudumba Thalaivan Chellappa 1962 Bandha Pasam Chithra's father 1963 Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum Kandhasamy 1963 Annai Illam Ramanathan 1963 Karpagam accountant 1963 Paar Magaley Paar Ramasamy 1964 Muradan Muthu Chettiyar 1964 Pudhiya Paravai Ramadurai1965 Neela Vaanam Varatharajan 1965 Kanni Thai Estate manager 1965 Ennathan Mudivu 1965 Thaayum Magalum 1966 Madras to Pondicherry street magician 1966 Nadodi Dharmalingam 1966 Muharasi Singaram (Constable #777) 1966 Mahakavi Kalidas Konar 1966 Chinnanchiru Ulagam 1967 Kaavalkaaran Vaithilingham 1967 Pattanathil Bhootham Thangavel1967 Penn Endral Penn 1967 Ooty Varai Uravu Dharmalingam1967 Vivasayee Chokki's father, a pawnbroker1968 En Thambi Bharma Singaram 1968 Kudiyirundha Koyil Jaya's father Rav Bagavadhor Singaram1968 Deiveega Uravu 1968 Lakshmi Kalyanam Eagambaram 1968 Delhi Mapillai Lord Shiva 1969 Kanne Pappa Chinna Durai 1969 Anbalippu Neelamegam Pillai 1969 Ponnu Mappillai Ekambaram 1969 Kuzhandai Ullam 1969 Nirai Kudam Appadurai 1969 Aayiram Poi Chinna Durai 1970 Enga Mama Chettiyar 1970 Mattukkara Velan Sattanathan 1970 Veettuku Veedu Paranthaman 1971 Kumari Kottam Somu 1971 Veguli Penn Bhoopathy Raja 1971 Sabatham Rangaiah 1971 Babu Singaram Pillai 1972 Kurathi Magan 1972 Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil Constable1972 Raman Thediya Seethai Siva Shankar 1972 Vasantha Maligai Ananth's home butler 1972 Sange Muzhangu Varagaswamy 1972 Pattikada Pattanama Sokkalingam 1972 Pillaiyo Pillai 1973 Rajapart Rangadurai Drama teacher 1973 Baghdad Perazhagi Mama 1973 Sontham 1973 Vayadi 1973 Anbu Sagodharargal 1973 Pookkari Shyamala's father 1973 Manipayal Ponnambalam 1973 Jesus Saint Peter Malayalam film1974 Urimaikural Kozhaidhar Pulai 1974 En Magan Erodareya 1974 Netru Indru Naalai Nallasivam 1974 Thanga Pathakkam Gopalsamy 1975 Pattampoochi Vedhasalam 1975Swami Ayyappan Malayalam film1975 Cinema Paithiyam Sivalingam 1976 Mayor Meenakshi 1976 Rojavin Raja Kadapparai Murugesan 1977 Ilaya Thalaimurai Vanisri's father 1977 Meenava Nanban Nagaraj 1977 Avar Enakke Sontham 1978 Rudhra Thaandavam Lord Shiva 1979 Inikkum Ilamai 1979 Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum 1979 Kalyanaraman Samypillai1981 Tik Tik Tik Sharada's father1981 Raja Paarvai Sulochana's father 1982 Auto Raja Servant 1983 Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey 1983 Paayum Puli 1984 Jappanil Kalyanaraman Samikannu1984 Unnai Naan Santhithen Sabapathy1984 Nallavanukku Nallavan Sadhasivam 1984 Enakkul Oruvan Ulaganath1984 Naan Mahaan Alla Dhanakodi 1985 Naagam guest appearance 1985 Deivapiravi 1985 Uyarndha Ullam Nagapillai 1985 Un_Kannil_Neer_Vazhinthal... Perumal 1985 Poove Poochudava Viswanathan 1985 Aan Paavam Ramasamy Annan 1986 Vikram Minister 1986 Mouna Ragam Chandrakumar's boss 1986 Nambinar Keduvathillai 1986 Oru Iniya Udhayam Jithu1987 Rettai Vaal Kuruvi Maarka Bandhu1987 Velaikkaaran Valayapathy 1987 Ayitham Periyaswamy Malayalam film1987 Veerapandiyan Dharmakartha of Manimangalam temple 1988 Agni Natchathiram Chettiar 1988 Therkathi Kallan Advocate 1988 Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Politician 1988 Poo Pootha Nandavanam 1988 Dharmathin Thalaivan Rangarajan 1989 Varusham Padhinaaru Chinna thatha 1989 En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan Vatsala's father 1989 Varusham 16 Sundaramoorthy 1989 Pudhea Paadhai 1990 Arangetra Velai Nambi Anna1990 Pattanamthan Pogalamadi 1990 Athisaya Piravi Chitra Gupta 1990 Anjali Umapathi 1990 Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu groom's father 1990 En Kadhal Kanmani Hema's father 1991 Vasanthakala Paravai Uma's grandfather 1991 Gopura Vasalile Kalyani's father 1991 Pondatti Pondattithan Inspector Rajendran 1992 Mannan Kushboo's Father 1993 Maharasan Paramasivan 1994 Pondattiye Deivam Pattabi's boss1995 Aanazhagan 1997 Minsaara Kanavu Guru's uncle 1997 Arunachalam Kaliaperumal 1997 Kalyana Vaibhogam Shanthi's grandfather 2001 Dumm Dumm Dumm Ganga's grandfather 2002 Kadhal Azhivathillai Old man on the opening scene

Director Jodippura (1983)

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