Elango Kumaravel

Biography

Elango Kumaravel is an Indian actor and writer, widely recognized for his significant contributions to both the Tamil film industry and theatre. His career spans decades, showcasing his versatility in portraying diverse characters and his talent for crafting compelling narratives.

Biography and Theatre Roots

Born on August 27, 1965, Elango Kumaravel is an alumnus of Pondicherry University's Sankaradas Swamigal School of Performing Arts and the Chennai-based theatre workshop Koothuppattarai. His deep roots in theatre are evident through his co-founding of the Chennai-based theatre group "Magic Lantern." 

He has been involved in numerous stage productions, including adapting and performing in plays like Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan (a Tamil historical play) in 1999, and performing in Tamil adaptations of works like Camus' Caligula and Molière's Tartuffe. This extensive theatre background has undoubtedly shaped his nuanced acting style and understanding of storytelling.

Career in Film as an Actor

Kumaravel made his film debut in 2001 with Maayan. He quickly became a familiar face in Tamil cinema, often collaborating with director Radha Mohan in films like Azhagiya Theeye and Abhiyum Naanum. His role as a beggar named Ravi Shastri in Abhiyum Naanum garnered particular acclaim.

Over the years, he has appeared in a wide array of films, demonstrating his ability to handle various genres and character types. Some of his notable acting credits include:

• Madrasapattinam (2010)
• Vaagai Sooda Vaa (2011)
• Gouravam (2013)
• Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013)
• Kurangu Bommai (2017): In this film, he notably took on a more serious, even villainous role, deviating from his often comical portrayals to avoid being typecast.
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• Richie (2017)
• Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2019)
• Hero (2019)
• Jai Bhim (2021): A highly acclaimed film in which he played a police officer.
• Vikram (2022): A blockbuster action film.
• Captain Miller (2024): A recent release in which he played Kannaya.
• Blue Star (2024): As Ranjith and Sam's father.
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He has also acted in films in other languages, including Telugu (e.g., Gaganam, Gouravam) and Malayalam (e.g., John Luther). In 2023, he also appeared in the Hindi film Sam Bahadur, portraying V. K. Krishna Menon.

Career as a Writer

Beyond acting, Elango Kumaravel is also an accomplished writer. He wrote the story for the 2008 film Kattradhu Kalavu. Most significantly, he was part of the screenplay writing team for Mani Ratnam's magnum opus, the two-part historical drama Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023). His prior experience in adapting the Ponniyin Selvan novel into a stage play for "Magic Lantern" proved invaluable for this monumental cinematic adaptation.

Other Contributions

Kumaravel has also worked as a casting assistant for the 2007 film Loins of Punjab Presents. He was involved in the production of "Ey Aa O!", a musical fusion work. His career also extends to streaming television, with roles in popular web series such as Suzhal: The Vortex (2022) and Inspector Rishi (2024).

Elango Kumaravel's consistent work across various facets of filmmaking and theatre underscores his dedication and multifaceted talent within the Indian entertainment industry.