Karate Raja is an Indian actor who has worked in predominantly Tamil-language films. He made his breakthrough as an actor by playing a supporting role in Kamal Haasan's Virumaandi (2004), before garnering acclaim for playing the lead role of Veerappan in the serial Sandhan Kaadu on Makkal TV.
Career Natarajan made his breakthrough as an actor with his role in Kamal Haasan's Virumaandi (2004). He was given the name Karate Raja by Haasan. He subsequently appeared in two more popular Tamil films that year, Ghilli (2004) and Vasool Raja MBBS (2004). Raja later appeared in films including Prabhu Deva's Pokkiri (2007) and the horror comedy, Ambuli (2012). He played a notable role in Varnam (2011). He played Kishore's brother in Thiruvambadi Thamban (2012). He played the lead role of K. Chandrashekar Rao in the Telugu-language film Udyama Simham (2019).
On television, Karate Raja notably portrayed the lead role of Veerappan in the serial Sandhana Kaadu on Makkal TV during 2008. The directors spent three years on researching about the life of Veerappan and then spent 110 days in the forest and shoot in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Personal life Karate Raja married Divya in July 2009 and has three daughters. In August 2014, Karate Raja filed a complaint to the police that his wife was missing. He later suggested that the pair had marital problems and only lived together for a few days on most months.
Filmography Tamil films Year Film Role Notes 1997 Nerrukku Ner Suriya's friend Uncredited role 2001 Citizen Arivanandam MLA's friend Uncredited role2004 Virumaandi Virumaandi's friend Ghilli Muthupandi's henchman Madhurey Kumarasamy Vasool Raja MBBS Raja's sidekick 2005 Thirupaachi Balu's henchman Kannamma Babu Anbe Vaa Gaja Ghajini Lakshman's henchman Uncredited role Bambara Kannaley Aanai 2006 Aathi Sadha 2007 Pokkiri Tamizh's friend Piragu David Sivaji Adiseshan then Sivaji's henchman Azhagiya Tamil Magan Runner in competition 2008 Madurai Ponnu Chennai Paiyan Maruthupandi Pattaya Kelappu Suryaa Police Officer 2009 Padikkadavan Bhaskar Thoranai Rowdy Bilingual film Unnaipol Oruvan Ahmedallah Bilingual film2010 Kacheri Arambam Sivamani's sidekick Sura Accused Pa. Ra. Palanisamy Johnson Veluthu Kattu Rasu Minor AarvamAadhi2011 Varnam Muniyandi Osthe Daniel's henchman 2012 Ambuli Ishtam Shankar 2013 Sokkali Bhuvanakkadu 2014 Angusam Anthony Vetri Selvan Poojai Annathandavam's henchman Sokku Sundaram 2015 Sandamarutham Bhaskar En Vazhi Thani Vazhi City Babu Soan Papdi Palakkattu Madhavan Pattu Maami's son 2016 Oyee Babu Pudhusa Naan Poranthen 2017 Vaanga Vaanga Saaya Pannam Pathinonnum Seyum 2018 Mannar Vagaiyara 2019 Rocky: The Revenge Police Officer I-R 8 2022 Naan Mirugamaai Maara Rathinam 2023 Kodai Madhan Theerkadarishi Terror 2024 Pambattam Police officer Kolai Thooram Park Dhil Raja Orea Peachu Orea Mudivu 2025 Yaman Kattalai Padaiyaanda Maaveeraa Veerappan Cameo appearance Pagal Kanavu 2026 Valluvan
Other language films Year Film Role Language Notes 2006 Bangaram Bhooma Reddy's henchman Telugu 2007 Sketch Narendra Shetty Malayalam 2009 Pistha Rowdy Telugu Bilingual films Eenadu Ahmedallah 2010 Lahore C. Subramaniam Hindi Pokkiri Raja Raja's Henchman Malayalam 2012 Thiruvambadi Thamban Shiva 2019 Udyama Simham K. Chandrashekar Rao Telugu Lead role
Television YearSerial/ProgramRoleChannel2007SandhanakaaduVeerappanMakkal TV2017SembaruthiDurai ManikkamZee Tamil2021Vidhya No. 1ManickamZee Tamil
References
External links