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Santhanam

Santhanam

Actor, also producer and writer · Born January 21, 1980 (46) · Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Santhanam is an Indian film actor who has predominantly appeared in Tamil films as a comedian. Beginning his career as a comedian on television shows, he rose to fame through his performances in Vijay TV's Lollu Sabha enacting the lead role in spoofs of Tamil films. He was subsequently given a chance by actor Silambarasan to feature in a supporting role in Manmadhan (2004) and then was signed on to appear in a host of films, notably winning good reviews for his work in Sachien (2005) and Polladhavan (2007). His consistently well-received performances and box office appeal in the early 2010s prompted the film industry to dub him as the "Comedy Superstar". In 2012, he began a film production company named Handmade Films and produced his first film, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya (2013), which went on to become a commercially successful venture. Meanwhile in 2014, he starred in the leading role again in the action comedy Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham (2014), winning critical and commercial acclaim. In Dec 2015 Forbes India Magazine listed Santhanam in 2015 Celebrity 100, at the 52nd position and at 17 by Money Rank (earnings)

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 21, 1980 (46)
From
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Works as
Actor, also producer and writer
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 136 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 38 days to Oct 27Down 11% in 30 days

What are Santhanam's films like?

Across their 32 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd 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
Bonds
51%
Self
21%
Morality
20%
Ideas
3%
Society
2%
Survival
2%
Power
2%
Romantic love18 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds12 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 32 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 17 · Serious 11 · Dark 4

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 16 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 4

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 13 · Charged 10 · Intense 9

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

Steady 10 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 4

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

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 12

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 8

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

Casual 20 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 27 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

27 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 10 of 27 analyzed roles.

Trickster
10 of 27
Ally
10 of 27
Hero
5 of 27
Mentor
2 of 27
Show the 27 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Joyful
12
Romantic
14
Absurd
8
Thrilling
7
Other
29

How their films linger

Feel-good19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy20
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous4

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 Santhanam's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

  • Eros Now16 titles

Subscription and free streaming for Santhanam'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

136 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page.

  • Jailer 2(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Devil's Double Next Level (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Krishnamoorty "Kissa"

  • Madha Gaja Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Kalyanasundaram

  • Inga Naan Thaan Kingu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Vetrivel

  • Vadakkupatti Ramasamy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Vadakkupatti Ramasamy

  • 80s Buildup(2023)

    as Kathir

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

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

    as Santhosh

  • DD Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Madhi

  • Agent Kannayiram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Agent Kannayiram

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

    as Google

  • Sabhaapathy(2021)

    as Sabhaapathy

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Dikkiloona (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Mani

  • Parris Jayaraj (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Parris Jeyaraj

  • Biskoth(2020)

    as Rajasimmha

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Dagaalty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Guru

  • A1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Saravanan

  • Dhilluku Dhuddu 2(2019)

    Producer · as Viji

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Kalavaadiya Pozhuthugal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Sakka Podu Podu Raja(2017)

    as Santa

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Enakku Vaaitha Adimaigal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Cameo

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

    Actor

  • Nambiar(2016)

    as Nambiar

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Nasa

  • Dhilluku Dhuddu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Kumar

  • JK Enum Nanbanin Vaazhkai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Idhu Namma Aalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Sherlock Holmes (extended cameo appearance)

  • Vaaliba Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Raja

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

    as Tyre

  • Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Vasu

  • Inimey Ippadithan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Producer · as Seenu

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

    as Sivakozhundhu

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

    as Rajasekhar

  • I(2015)

    as Gym Babu

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Lingaa(2014)

    as Lingaa's Friend

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

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

    as Paalswamy

  • Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Producer · as Sakthi

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

    as Kannan

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

    Actor

  • Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Mayilvaganam

  • Inga Enna Solluthu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Ezhumugam

  • Salalah Mobiles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Alagar Swami

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

    as Pichai Muniyandi

  • Endrendrum Punnagai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Baby

  • All in All Azhagu Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Kalyanam/Kalianan

  • Vanakkam Chennai(2013)

    as Narayanan

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Raja Rani(2013)

    as Sarathy

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Ya Yaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Rajkiran (Sehwag)

  • Thalaivaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Playback Singer · as Logu

  • Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Gopal

  • Pattathu Yaanai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Gouravam (Son) / Poongavanam (Father)

  • Singam 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Sussa

  • Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru(2013)

    as Nokia/Sathish

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Thillu Mullu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as American mappilai

  • Settai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Nagaraj (Nadupakka Nakki)

  • Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya(2013)

    Dialogue · Producer · as Kaalkattu 'KK' Kaliyaperumal

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Alex Pandian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Kaalayan

  • Neethaane En Ponvasantham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Mahesh

  • Podaa Podi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Special Appearance

  • Kadhal Pisase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

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

    as Sathyan

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

    as Chari

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

    as Appadhurai Rajini

  • Ishtam(2012)

    as Thiyagu

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

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

    as Vettupuli

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

    as Vicky

  • Oru Kal Oru Kannadi(2012)

    as Parthasarathy

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal(2012)

    as Chandru

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Osthi(2011)

    as Selvam

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Velayudham(2011)

    as Speed

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Vellore Maavattam(2011)

    as Kumaravelu

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Vandhaan Vendraan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Delhi

  • Yuvan Yuvathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Sakkarai

  • Udhayan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Mukundan

  • Deiva Thirumagal(2011)

    as Vinod

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Kandaen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Vaanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Seenu

  • Singam Puli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Bujji Babu

  • Thambikottai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Siruthai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Kaatu Poochi

  • Aattanayagann(2010)

    as Lingam's friend

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ayyanar(2010)

    as Prabha's Friend

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Chikku Bukku(2010)

    as Krishna

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Mandhira Punnagai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Senthil

  • Enthiran(2010)

    as Siva

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Boss Engira Baskaran(2010)

    as Nallathambi

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Moscowin Kavery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Devaraj

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

    as Dr.Butty Paul

  • Maanja Velu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Manickam

  • Guru Sishyan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Kaalu

  • Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Kumar

  • Kandha Kottai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Velu

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

    Actor

  • Kanden Kadhalai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Mokkai Rasu

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

    Actor

  • Modhi Vilayadu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

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

    as Chandru

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

    as Pazhani

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

    as Vellaichamy

  • Siva Manasula Sakthi(2009)

    as Vivek

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

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

    as Saamaa

  • Mahesh Saranya Matrum Palar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Mahesh Friend

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

    Actor

  • Jayam Kondaan(2008)

    as Bhavani

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

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

    as 'Nagercoil' Nagaraj

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

    Actor

  • Arai Enn 305-Il Kadavul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Raasu

  • Santhosh Subramaniyam(2008)

    as Srinivasan

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

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

    Actor

  • Kaalai(2008)

    as Jeeva Friend

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Billa(2007)

    as Krishna

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Azhagiya Tamil Magan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Guru's friend

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

    Actor

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

    as Sathish

  • Thottal Poo Malarum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ravi's friend

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

    Actor

  • Kireedam(2007)

    as Balasubramaniam

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Sannasi

  • Mudhal Kanave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Sathish

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

    as Personal Assistant

  • Rendu(2006)

    as Seenu

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

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

    as Bala

  • Sillunu Oru Kaadhal(2006)

    as Comedian

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Something Something… Unakkum Enakkum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Arivu

  • Idhaya Thirudan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Mahesh

  • Oru Kalluriyin Kathai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as David

  • February 14 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

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

    as Santhanam

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

    as Bobby

  • Kadhal Azhivathillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Simbhu's Friend

  • Amali Thumali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Chinnadha Oru Padam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Love Bite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Santa 20 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Server Sundaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • STR51 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • STRxRamkumar Balakrishnan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 136 titles, 129 of them dated from 2002 to 2026; peak year 2012.

Biggest box office

Enthiran (2010)

$3.9M worldwide

Highest rated

Deiva Thirumagal (2011)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Enthiran (2010)

Film career

20022026

Peak 2012 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. 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.

  • 2005Screen debut· Sachein
  • 2010Career best· Enthiran

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting136 of 136: 131 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thWriting1 of 136: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing4 of 136: 0 only producing, 4 with another roleOther crew1 of 136: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

136 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

2000s39 · acting2010s75 · 75 acting · 5 crew2020s15 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 23 roles
0510

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Santhanam's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 48th percentile, the median of all 33; across their 32 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 35th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Approval · how many liked their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 33 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

80s Buildup (2023)

95th percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Jailer 2 (2026)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 21 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 39. 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 Santhanam's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

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

Who does Santhanam work with?

People who share at least 2 of Santhanam's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Manobala shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles