About Vadivelu

Vadivel (Tamil : வடிவேலு)
Vadivelu is a comedian in the Tamil movie industry. Post-2000, he has dominated the movie scene in Kollywood, along with comedian Vivek. During his career, Vadivelu has won two Filmfare Best Comedian Award for his roles in Chandramukhi and Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi. As of 2008, he has appeared in 326 films, including his latest film, Indralogathil Na. Azhagappan.

Carreer
Vadivelu's debut movie was En Rasavin Manasiley (1991), directed by Kasthoori Raja. Prior to his film career, he was working in a small shop where glass frames for photos and paintings were done. He was struggling with his then monthly income of just a few hundred rupees. With his movie career taking off, his fortunes turned. By 1994, he owned a TATA Sierra (which at that time was considered a luxury).

Born in the southern city of Madurai, Vadivelu is nicknamed Vaigai Puyal (the Vaigai storm, after the river Vaigai, which flows through the city; Puyal could be symbolic of his ability to 'bring down anything like a storm'). Starting as a sidekick to the famed Goundamani-Senthil comedy duo, he rose to prominence after his role in Kadhalan. His Madurai Tamil accent (Tamil spoken in southern Tamil Nadu) is usually a perfect foil for his roles in Tamil movies with a village background or a simpleton in a city.

His popularity could be ascribed to the general audience being able to identify with him, thanks to his rustic looks, accent and body language. This is unlike other actors, especially heroes, who are generally perceived as ideals, adored but not seen as the guy or girl next door.
In most movies, Vadivelu plays a simpleton with good intentions but lands in trouble because of circumstances or eccentricities of the people he comes across. These roles involve heavy use of slapstick and puns, which has led him to being typecast. His comedy sequences typically end with him getting soundly trashed and a closing one-liner from him bemoaning his situation or antagonists. "Aha oru kuruppa thannya alayarangaya" (this roughly translates to: These people seem to roam around in packs to pick on him), "vanduttangayya, vandutanngya" (In Tamil this announces the arrival of his soon-to-be tormentors).

His part in movies like Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu and Winner and Chandramukhi are typical of his performances that have brought him laurels and accolades from the Tamil movie-goer. Apart from acting, he has also lent his voice to songs in his movies. Some of his popular songs are "Ettana Irunda", "Vikkalu Vikkalu" and "Frea vudu frea vudu".

Cashing in on his popularity, he starred in the lead role of the historical comedy spoof, "Pulikesin the 23rd". The movie was a massive hit and was widely acclaimed for its 'clean' comedy. The movie features Vadivelu in a dual role, playing twin brothers. As can be expected in such plots, one of them is a laidback, cowardly king and the other is his brother, who grows up away from the palace into a well-informed and brave rebel, only to exchange places later.