Sivanathan Shanmugavelan Ramamoorthy (16 January 1952 – 11 May 2021), better known by his stage name Nellai Siva, was an Indian comedian and actor, who predominantly worked in Tamil cinema. He worked mostly in comedy scenes. His first film was Aan Paavam released in 1985. He appeared in popular movies like Mahaprabhu, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Kannum Kannum. His way of speaking in the movies is completely of Nellai slang, which shows him unique to other supporting actors. He has acted in over 500 films in his career.
Early life Nellai Siva was born on 16 January 1952, in Veppilankulam, a small village in Nellai district. He was a fan of Sivaji Ganesan and came to Chennai to make a break in films. He met and became friends with Mansoor Ali Khan and Bonda Mani, who were also upcoming actors at the time. After struggling for over a decade, he met K. Bhagyaraj and participated in a few series on Chennai Television, gaining popularity, and whom he credits with "making him successful in cinema". He also started his film career by acting alongside then-famous actor Nagesh, who admired his Tirunelveli slang on set and encouraged him to use it as a defining factor in his comedy.
Film career In 1985, he debuted in the movie Aan Paavam directed by Pandiarajan. Later, he acted in minor roles. In the late 1990s, he started his career as a supporting comedian. He starred in the film Vetri Kodi Kattu as a tea shop owner. After this movie, he slowly progressed by acting in movies like Saamy, Anbe Sivam, Attagasam, Thirupaachi, Kireedam and much more. He also acted along with Vadivelu and Vivek in films during 2000s. He is notable for his comedian roles along with actor Vadivelu whose movies became very popular.
Television career In 2018-2021, he acted in Tamil television serials in Vijay TV such as Pandiyan Stores. His role as 'Kumaresan Mama' in Pandian Stores was a notable one. He was also a part of Mama Mapillai. On the 11 May 2021, he died in Chennai due to a heart attack.
Partial filmography
+ Partial list of film credits Year Title Role Notes1985Aan PaavamVillager1993Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera KathavarayaKrishna Kamarajan 1994En Aasai MachanSeevalaperi PandiRavanan Punnakku1995Gandhi Pirantha MannSindhu Bath 1996Mahaprabhu Local politicianAruva Velu Police officerAavathum Pennale Azhivathum Pennale Sandana KaruppanTata Birla Police head constableVaazhga Jananayagam1998Kannathal 1999Unnai ThediSuyamvaramhostlerUnnaruge Naan Irundhal Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham 2000 Thirunelveli Manickam Kannan VaruvaanVetri Kodi KattuTea shop ownerUnnai Kann Theduthey 2001 Rishi Car cleaner 2002 Red Madurai resident 2002H2O Chennoor villager Kannada film; uncredited Thamizhan Train ticket collector Uncredited roleIvan Slum dwellerRun Politician 2003Anbe SivamSaamyPerumal Pichai's supporter Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu Thithikudhe WinnerAstrologer Anjaneya Thirumalai Thirumalai's friend Sindhamal Sitharamal 2004 Madhurey Attagasam Samuthirakani Henchmen 2005ThirupaachiVillagerAnbe AaruyireTraffic Police Officer Oru Naal Oru KanavuPadhavi Paduthum PaaduVetrivel Sakthivel 2006ParijathamImsai Arasan 23rd PulikeceiPoetVattaramIlakkanamHouse broker 2007ManikandaThiruthamHead constableOram PoAnnachiEnnai Paar Yogam VarumHead constableEn Uyirinum MelanaKireedamAuto driverNam NaaduPolitical memberPuli Varudhu Bus driver 2008 Vambu Sandai Chakkara Viyugam Police officer SilandhiMalarinum MelliyaArai En 305-il KadavulTea shop ownerSutta PazhamThithikkum Ilamai ParanthamanIyakkamKannum Kannum Sudalai Maanavan NinaithalCourier office managerAzhaipithazhMadurai Ponnu Chennai PaiyanMaths teacherVelvi Police constable 2009Padikkathavan KothandamThoranaiKudiyarasuMadhaviMan on bikePinju ManasuAnnachiAiymbulanKanthaswamyPolice constableMadurai To TheniMathiya ChennaiVedappanAnnachi 2010 Kadhai Police inspector Uncredited roleTamizh Padam MinisterAmbasamudram AmbaniHead Constable Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai Roadside shop owner Azhagaana PonnuthanKattradhu KalavuPa. Ra. PalanisamyPournami NagamNeeyum NaanumNellaiMudhal Kadhal Mazhai 2011Siruthai Doctor Minsaram Thooyavan 2012VachathiKazhuguPolice OfficerSaguniPoliceman 2013Puthagam Traffic police officer Keeripulla Police officer Thirumathi ThamizhPattathu YaanaiConstableYaaruda Mahesh Kolagalam 2014 Tenaliraman Maamannar's soldier SooranAindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani Police inspector Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom Ashwin's grandfather Azhagiya Pandipuram 2015 Nathikal Nanaivathillai VindhaiEliPapanasamThunai MudhalvarSavaale SamaaliSakalakala VallavanViraivil IsaiKalai VendhanThiruttu VCDTraffic Police Inspector 2016MiruthanGurumoorthy's henchmanBathiladiAnbanavan Asaradhavan AdangadhavanJithan 2 VijayakumarVendru Varuvaan Tea masterThagadu Park officerNer MugamYokkiyan Vaaran 2017Unnai Thottu Kolla VaaVirudhachalamAarambame AttagasamKaranamNamma Kadha 2018 Solli Vidava Traffic police officer Abhiyum Anuvum Padithavudan Kilithu VidavumSeemathurai M. Muthukumar 2019Mudivilla PunnagaiKazhugu 2Head Constable UdhayImpathu RoovaManguni PandiyargalPeai Vaala Pudicha KathaiArandavanukku Irundathellam Pei 2020En Sangathu Aala Adichavan Evanda Pachai VilakkuSollunganne Sollunga 2021Pei Irukka BayamenPazhagiya Naatkal Paramapadham Vilayattu Naruvi 2023 Eppodhum Ava Nenaipu Posthumous release Uruchidhai Posthumous release Peikku Kalyanam Posthumous release 2025 Madha Gaja Raja Politician Posthumous release Yaman Kattalai Posthumous release Thangakottai Posthumous release
Dubbing artist Giri (2004) - Sait
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