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Shanmugarajan

Shanmugarajan

Actor · Born October 24, 1974 (52) · Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Shanmugarajan is an Indian film actor known for playing villain / cop roles in Tamil films serials. He made his debut in Virumaandi as a Jailor. He is an alumnus of National School of Drama.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 24, 1974 (52)
From
Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Works as
Actor
Titles
16 on MovieCove · 51 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 34% in 30 days

What are Shanmugarajan's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Power.

Genres

Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 96th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
34%
Power
24%
Bonds
19%
Society
17%
Survival
5%
Self
2%
Justice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 3 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 3

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 1 · Intense 10

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Thrilling
4
Dread
2
Melancholic
3
Bittersweet
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Fun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteInfuriating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet6
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Shanmugarajan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Shanmugarajan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

51 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page.

  • Vanangaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Joseph

  • Aindham Vedham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 8 episodes · as 'Mad' Suresh

  • Merry Christmas(2024)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Bagheera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Witness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Sivaprakasam

  • Thalaivi(2021)

    as Valampuri John

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Laabam(2021)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Karnan(2021)

    as Abhimanyu

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Namma Veettu Pillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Maangani's father

  • Peranbu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Sandakozhi 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Durai Ayya's Brother-in-Law

  • Pariyerum Perumal(2018)

    as Kathir's Fake Father

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Nimir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Pichumani

  • Pandigai(2017)

    as Police Officer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Vanamagan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Bairavaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Advocate

  • Sometimes(2016)

    as ACP Karunakaran

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Mappilai Vinayagar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Bhooloham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Thiruttu Rail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Maari(2015)

    as Velu Anna

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Uttama Villain(2015)

    as Shanmugarajan

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Saivam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as AL. K. S. Swamigal

  • Kochadaiiyaan(2014)

    as Devadhevan

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Tenaliraman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as One of the Ministers

  • Veeram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Police Officer

  • Nanda Nanditha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Vettai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Inspector Kulasekara Pandian

  • Thambi Vettothi Sundaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Udumbu(Chiluvai`s Right Hand)

  • Viruthagiri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Kannukulle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Raghu's uncle

  • Quick Gun Murugun: Misadventures of an Indian Cowboy(2009)

    as Gun Powder

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Vamanan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Sivan

  • Mariyadhai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Marthanandam

  • Dindigul Sarathy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Seval (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Kaalai(2008)

    as ACP Vallayan IPS

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Pirappu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Shankarapandi

  • Sivappathigaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Em Magan(2006)

    as Krishna's uncle and Janani's father

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Thambi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Saravana Pandian

  • Sandakozhi(2005)

    as Durai's Brother-in-Law

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Daas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Annachi

  • Anniyan(2005)

    as Chockalingam

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Maayavi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Shanmugam

  • Adhu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Muthu

  • Madurey(2004)

    as Police Officer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Bose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Virumaandi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Deputy Jailer Paykkaman Thevar

  • Saadhikkoru Needhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Server Sundaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 51 titles, 50 of them dated from 1981 to 2025; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Karnan (2021)

$3.8M worldwide

Highest rated

Pariyerum Perumal (2018)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Anniyan (2005)

Film career

19812025

Peak 2004 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting51 of 51: 51 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rd

By decade

1980s1 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s22 · acting2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Shanmugarajan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 73rd percentile, the median of all 16; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 75th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 16 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 16 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

Thalaivi (2021)

99th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Pariyerum Perumal (2018)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Shanmugarajan's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 73 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 12 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 57 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 79 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Shanmugarajan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Shanmugarajan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Nassar shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Mixed roles