Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan (born 20 February 1986) is an Indian actor, who works in the Tamil film industry along with few Malayalam films. He has collaborated with directors Mysskin and Pa. Ranjith, with whom he worked in Madras (2014) for which he received acclaim for his performance."Mysskin sir hugged and kissed me" – Kalaiyarasan – BW Green Room . YouTube (17 August 2014). Retrieved on 2015-09-16.
Career 2010-2013: Debut and early work Kalaiyarasan, a graduate in Computer Applications from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, initially began work as an actor with Parthy Bhaskar's Arjunan Kadhali in 2010, but the film remains unreleased.Exclusive Interview with 'Madras' star Kalaiyarasan – Jill More – Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English, Hindi- Movie Reviews and News . Jill More (9 October 2014). Retrieved on 2015-09-16. He then worked with director Mysskin on two ventures, Nandalala (2010) and Mugamoodi (2012), and credits the film maker as his mentor. He also played small role in Ranjith's directorial debut Attakathi (2012), playing the suitor to the heroine, as well as in Vikram Sugumaran's Madha Yaanai Koottam (2013).Gupta, Rinku. (30 August 2015) Madras Has Changed My Life . The New Indian Express. Retrieved on 2015-09-16.
2014-2019: Breakthrough and success
Kalaiyarasan's breakthrough as an actor came through his performance in Ranjith's drama film Madras (2014), where he portrayed the pivotal role of Anbu.Software to celluloid . The Hindu (24 January 2015). Retrieved on 2015-09-16. Set in the backdrop of North Chennai, Kalaiyarasan auditioned and cleared three screen tests before being handed the role and worked closely with the film's lead actor Karthi in order to show their on-screen camaraderie. Upon release in September 2014, the film became a commercial and critical acclaimed success, while Kalaiyarasan's portrayal won unanimous praise.Gupta, Rinku. (1 October 2014) When a Cameo Became a Big Break . The New Indian Express. Retrieved on 2015-09-16. A critic from Behindwoods.com noted Kalaiyarasan "steals the show and this has to be his lifetime role", adding that "the youngster has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and we have to laud director Ranjith for giving this dynamic performer good scope to showcase his wares".Madras (aka) Madras review . Behindwoods.com (26 September 2014). Retrieved on 2015-09-16. Similarly Sify.com added that his performance is "riveting" and that "his body language and dialogue delivery in almost a parallel role is terrific."Movie Review: Madras. Sify
Following the success of Madras, Kalaiyarasan's career in the Tamil film industry took off and garnered him higher-profile films as well as lead roles. Ranjith cast him again in a pivotal supporting role in the Rajinikanth-starrer Kabali (2016), as a school teacher with a vengeance against Rajinikanth's titular character. The film opened to positive reviews for Kalaiyarasan and subsequently went on to become the highest grossing Tamil film of all time. He first portrayed leading roles in Darling 2 (2016) and Raja Manthiri (2016), but his first high-profile project as the protagonist was C. V. Kumar's production Adhe Kangal (2017). Featuring alongside Janani and Sshivada, Kalaiyarasan portrayed a blind chef, with the makers using American chef Christine Hà as a character inspiration for his role. The film opened to positive reviews, with critics praising his portrayal of the character. Kalaiyarasan has a series of solo lead films ready for release in 2017, including Yeidhavan and Uru. He was also be seen in Kaalakkoothu (2018) alongside Prasanna. He has played in lead roles in thrillers films such as Pattinapakkam (2018) and Kalavu (2019).
2021-present He was starred with Dhanush in Karthik Subbaraj's Jagame Thandhiram (2021) released on June 18 on Netflix. He has collobored with Pa. Ranjith's in Sarpatta Parambarai (2021), Natchathiram Nagargiradhu (2022) as well as in the web series Victim (2022). He was also seen in Malayalam films Thankam (2023), 2018 (2023) and Charles Enterprises (2023). He was cast in Tamil drama film Mari Selvaraj's Vaazhai (2024) and received positive reviews and strong box office performance. He has played as supporting role in Telegu movie Devara: Part 1 (2024).He played with R. Sarathkumar in the web series Cheran's Journey (2024) and the thriller film The Smile Man (2024). Later, he was cast in action film Madraskaaran (2025) followed by two thrillers Trending (2025) and Thandakaaranyam (2025).
Personal life Kalaiyarasan is married to Shanmuga Priya, whom he met at Accenture, his first place of employment.
Filmography As actor
Year Title Role Notes 2010 Nandalala Drunkard 2012 Attakathi Dinakaran Mugamoodi Viji 2013 Madha Yaanai Koottam Boologaraasa 2014 Madras Anbu Vijay Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – TamilNominated, SIIMA Award for Best Tamil Supporting Actor 2015 Darling Shiva Urumeen John Christopher 2016 Darling 2 Aravind Raja Manthiri Karthik Kabali Tamizh Kumaran 2017 Adhe Kangal Varun Mupparimanam Himself Cameo appearance Yeidhavan Krishna Uru Jeevan 2018 Thaanaa Serndha Koottam Iniyan's friend Kaalakkoothu Hari Pattinapakkam Vetri 2019 Kalavu Sujeeth Airaa Amudhan 2021 Jagame Thanthiram Deepan Sarpatta Parambarai Vetriselvan Laabam Benny Udanpirappe Adhiban 2022 Kuthiraivaal Saravanan Natchathiram Nagargiradhu ArjunKalaga Thalaivan Gandhi Estate Sasi 2023 Thankam Abbas Malayalam film Pathu Thala Ameer Burqa Surya 2018 Sethupathy Malayalam film Karungaapiyam Shakthi Charles Enterprises Charles Malayalam film 2024 Hot Spot Ezhumalai segment: "Fame Game" Vaazhai Kani SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devara: Part 1 Kunjara Telugu film The Smile Man Prabhu 2025 Madraskaaran Singam Trending Arjun Thandakaaranyam Murugan 2026 Kolaiseval Kaali Moondram Kan
As dubbing artist +YearFilmActorNotes2019PettaNawazuddin SiddiquiFlash back portions only2023800Madhur MittalFor the role of Muthiah Muralitharan
Web series YearProgram NameRoleNetworkNotes 2022VictimSekarSonyLIVPettaikaaliPandiAha Tamil2023SengalamRayarZEE52024Cheran's Journey Ameer Sulthan SonyLIV2025Nadu Center Vetri JioHotstar
Short film Magavu
References
External links