Mayilsamy (2 October 1965 – 19 February 2023) was an Indian actor and comedian who primarily played supporting roles. Appearing in many Tamil films, he was also a regular guest judge for Asathapovathu Yaaru on Sun TV in Chennai. He was well known for his comedy tracks in movies collaborating with veteran comedians Vivek and Vadivelu. He had featured in excess of 200 films in a career spanning nearly four decades.[1]
Mayilsamy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 October 1965 |
| Died | 19 February 2023 (aged 57) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1984–2023 |
| Spouse | Shantha |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | K. Pitchandi (co-father-in-law) Aishwarya (daughter-in-law) Anbu (son) |
He was renowned for his mimicry skills and soon became a household name in Tamil Nadu through the television hit show Comedy Time. He was also actively involved in debates and was highly regarded for his speech skills, and won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for his performance in Kangalal Kaidhu Sei.[2]
Career
editMayilsamy was a popular and veteran television down the South Indian entertainment industry known for his impeccable comic timing and who is mostly seen playing strong supporting character roles in popular Tamil daily soaps and Tamil movies. Mayilsamy was also an acclaimed stage performer, stand in comedian, TV host and a theatre artiste, In short, he was a multifaceted and multitalented personality of the Tamil television industry. Mayilsamy was involved in various stage performances and in theatres from his early childhood days and performed and travelled across Tamil Nadu with a local famous comedy troupe.
Mayilsamy has also had a series of standup comedy releases among which Sirippoo Sirrippu deserves a special mention. Malisamy made his debut on Tamil television as the host and judge of the popular comedy show Asathapovathu Yaaru which aired on Sun TV from the year 2002 to 2004 and attained a very high place among the comedy reality shows. Mayilsamy in the show mainly appeared as a host and occasionally as a guest judge.[3]
He began his film career in the 1980s and began his acting debut in Dhavani Kanavugal (1984), which he shared billing with K. Bhagyaraj. He played minor roles in several films during the early part of his acting career, including Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Michael Madhana Kama Rajan (1990), in which he collaborated with veteran actor Kamal Haasan.[4] He rose to prominence for his performance in Dhool (2003) with Vivek.
Personal life
editIn October 2009, Mayilsamy announced that his son Arumainayagam was ready to act in films, and gave him the stage name of Anbu.[5][6]
Death
editMayilsamy died from a cardiac arrest in Chennai, in the early morning on 19 February 2023, at the age of 57.[7][8]
In the evening of 18 February, Mayilsamy had attended a Shivratri Puja at Sri Meghnad Eswarar temple in Kelambakkam, Chennai. He then called Drums Sivamani to conduct a special musical session in the temple, which occurred at around 11 PM.[9] He was returning back home from the temple in the early morning, when he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was taken to a nearby hospital in an auto-rickshaw. The doctors declared him brought dead.[10]
His funeral was conducted at his home. He was cremated at AVM cemetery in Vadapalani on 20 February.[10]
Partial filmography
editFilms
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Marmadesam (Ragasiyam) | Santhanakrishnan | Sun TV |
| 2003 | Comedy Time | Host | Sun TV |
| 2005 | Timekku comedy | Host | Jaya TV |
| 2019 | Lollupa | Host | Sun TV |
Voice artist
edit- 1992 - Kasthuri Manjal for Vadivelu
- 1996 - Selva for Manivannan
- 2001 - Ullam Kollai Poguthae
- 2004 - New for Brahmanandam, Ali
- 2004 - Ghilli for Brahmanandam
References
edit- ^ "Veteran comedian Mayilsamy passes away at 57". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "PICS: Things to know about the comedy king Mayilsamy". Deccan Herald. 19 February 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "Kollywood Comedian Mayilsamy Biography, News, Photos, Videos". Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (19 February 2023). "Mayilsamy, Tamil actor and comedian, no more". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Mayilsamy's son Nandu ready for his show". Kollywood Today. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ^ "Mayilsamy's son Anbu Mayilsamy to debut with 'Alti'". The Times of India. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Popular Tamil comedian Mayilsamy dies at 57, Kamal Haasan says he had his 'own style'". Business Today. 19 February 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "Kollywood mourns the demise of actor Mayilsamy". The Times of India. 19 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "Mayilsamy's sons clear the rumours about their father's death". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Comedy King Mayilsamy's body was cremated..." indiaherald.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "'Sigai' movie review: A whodunit that over-emphasises its message". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 January 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2021.