Rio Raj is an Indian actor and video jockey, who has appeared in Tamil language films and television. He often worked on shows by network Star Vijay, and Sun Music, before moving to work in Tamil cinema. He was listed by the Chennai Times as the ninth most "Desirable Man on Television 2020“.
Career Rio Raj started his career as an actor in Star Vijay's 2011 television drama Kana Kaanum Kalangal Kalloori Saalai, a spin-off of Kana Kaanum Kaalangal series. He later moved to work with Sun Music as a video jockey, hosting day-time shows such as Kaloorikalam, Suda Suda Chennai, and Free Ah Vidu among others. He returned to Star Vijay by portraying the lead role in the third season of the drama, Saravanan Meenatchi, between 2016 and 2018.
Following a supporting role in Sathriyan (2017), Raj appeared in his first lead role in a feature film through the comedy drama, Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja (2019), produced by actor Sivakarthikeyan. The film opened to mixed reviews, with a critic noting he makes a "decent debut". His next film Plan Panni Pannanum, another comedy drama, was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. In October 2020, he participated in Bigg Boss (Tamil season 4). He was listed by the Chennai Times as the ninth most "Desirable Man on Television 2020“.
In 2023, he acted in Broken Script followed by the romantic drama film, Joe. The latter marked his debut as a lyricist and he calls it a major wish fulfilled from his bucket list. In 2025, he appeared in the drama Niram Marum Ulagil followed by the romantic comedy films, Sweetheart!, Love Marriage and Aan Paavam Pollathathu.
Filmography
As actor
Films +Film performances Year Title RoleNotes 2016SawaariUncredited role 2017 Sathriyan Guna's friend 2019 Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja Shiva 2021 Plan Panni Pannanum Sembi 2023 Broken Script Thambi Durai JoeJoe 2025Niram Marum Ulagil Athiyan Sweetheart!VasuLove MarriageGowthamCameo appearanceAan Paavam PollathathuShiva 2026Ram and LeelaRaghuram "Ram"
Television +Television stint Year Title Role Network Notes 2011–2012 Kana Kaanum Kaalangal – Kaloori Saalai Pazhani Star Vijay 2016–2018 Saravanan Meenatchi (Season 3) Saravanan Lead Role 2016–2018 Jodi Number One (Season 9) Contestant 3rd Runner-Up 2017–2019 Ready Steady Po Season 1 & 2 Host 2017–2018 Wife Kaila Life2018Jodi Number One Fun Unlimited Bigg Boss Season 2 Kondattam Special Show 2019 Bigg Boss Tamil Season 3 Guest 2019–2020 Dancing Super Stars Host 2020 90s Kids vs 2k Kids Special Show 2020–2021 Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4 Contestant 2nd Runner-Up 2021Varutha Padatha Valibar SangamHostSpecial Show for 6th Annual Vijay Television Awards Ready Steady Po Reloaded Special Show2024Jodi Are U ReadyCo-Host 2025 Iru Malargal Varun Sun TV
As lyricist +YearTitleSongComposerSinger2023Joe"Kovai Kulira"Siddhu KumarVineeth Sreenivasan2025Sweetheart!"Amma Song"Yuvan Shankar RajaYuvan Shankar Raja, Sai Vignesh
References