Silambarasan Rajendar (born 3 February in 1983), popularly known as Simbu, is an Indian film actor, director, playback singer and lyricist. He began his career by playing minor uncredited roles as a child artist in films produced by his father T. Rajendar, before essaying his first lead role in Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002), under his father's direction as well and produced by his mother Usha Rajender. He
achieved recogniton for his work in Manmadhan (2004), which was written and also "ghost-directed" by him and became his first major commercial success. He made his full-flegded directorial debut with an average Vallavan (2006), while he received wide critical praise for his performance in Gautham Menon's blockbuster Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010). He also starred in critical success Vaanam and a masala Osthe, both in 2011.
Contents
1 Personal life
2 Education
3 Film career
3.1 Debut as child artiste
3.2 2002–2003
3.3 Breakthrough (2004–2009)
3.4 Success (2010–present)
4 Other work
5 Awards
6 Filmography
6.1 As Actor
6.2 As Playback Singer
Personal life
Silambarasan was born to director, music composer, singer, actor, dancer, screenwriter and politician Vijaya T. Rajendar and former actress Usha Rajendar. He is elder child of three children, He has a younger brother Kuralarasan and a younger sister Ilakiya.
Education
He studied at the Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, St.John's International Residential School and Santhome Higher Secondary school, Chennai. He had a great passion for dance right from his school days and used to choreograph dances even back then. He then attended The Ashram School in Chennai and also completed an Audio Engineering Course.[3]
Film career
Debut as child artiste
Silambarasan started his career as a child artiste in 1987 and acted in nearly 19 of his father's films, including Thai Thangai Paasam, Oru Vasantha Geetham, En Thangai Kalyani, Enga Veetu Velan, Monisha En Monalisa, Oru Thayin Sabhatham, Samsara Sangeetham, Shanti Enathu Shanti, Pettredutha Pillai, Thiruvalla and Sabash Babu. In Samsara Sangeetham, Silambarasan danced to a song singing "I am a little star5, Aaaven Naan Super Star".[2] His father had an idea to make Silambarasan direct a film at the age of 15 but dropped later.[4]
2002–2003
Silambarasan played his first starring role at age 19 in Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002) directed by his father Vijaya T. Rajendar, co-starring Charmy Kaur. His second film was Dhum (2003) that did average business at the box-office,[4] which was followed by Kuththu (2003),[5] which ran for 100 days and was his first successful film. His fourth film Alai ran over 50 days at the box office, while his subsequent release Kovil was an average grosser at the box office. He got a name for himself as "romantic young actor with style as his benchmark".[6]
Breakthrough (2004–2009)
Silambarasan took an year off from acting to concentrate on Manmadhan, for which he had written story, screenplay and dialogues.[6] The film featured him in dual roles for the first time, as a serial killer of women, and Jyothika as his pair. The film became a high commercial success at the box-office, completing a 275-days-theatrical run, while also earning rave reviews. His next film, Thotti Jaya[7] stood up to the expectations at the box-office and had good reviews for his performance.
In 2006, he starred in Saravana, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, opposite Jyothika again, which released along with Ajith's Paramasivan and Vijay's Athi did good business at the box office.[8] He next turned director with Vallavan (2006), besides playing the lead in the film, acting opposite Nayantara, Reema Sen and Sandhya. Vallavan did above average business at the box office.[9]
He had no releases in 2007 and his next film, the Tarun Gopi-directed masala film Kaalai was released in January 2008.[10] The film was panned by critics and was clearly a flop. Later that year, he appeared in another action-masala film Silambattam. Although opening to mixed reviews, the film went on to be a super hit.[4] In Goa, he played a cameo role, reprising his Manmadhan character at the ending of the film.[11] These failures did not let his status down, since he was praised for this multitalented nature.
Success (2010–present)
In 2010, his 25th film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa released, in which he was paired with Trisha Krishnan. Directed and written by Gautham Menon, the film fetched highly positive reviews and became his biggest success and one of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil earning a cult status.[12] Silambarasan received critical acclaim for his performance as Karthik, resulting in several awards and nominations. The film proved to be a significant turning point in his career, changing his media image.[13] Director K. Balachander in an open letter called Silambarasan's performance as his best in his career.[14]
The following year he was seen in two films, the drama film Vaanam and the masala film Osthe, both remakes of the critically acclaimed Telugu film Vedam (2010) and the Hindi blockbuster Dabangg (2010), respectively. Vaanam, which featured Silambarasan as part of an ensemble cast including Bharath, Anushka Shetty, Prakash Raj and Saranya Ponvannan,[15] opened to positive reviews and crossed 100-day mark and made good revenues in the centers released.[16] Malathi Rangarajan from The Hindu wrote: "After the stupendous hit of VTV, Vaanam should be another significant film in STR's career".[17] Osthe, directed by S. Dharani, released in more than 110 screens overseas in December 2011,[18] in which Silambarasan played a police officer for the first time in his career. Osthe was the biggest ever overseas release in Silambarasan's career, with the actor naming it the "biggest action film that he has done so far".[19] The film was reported to have got a "flying start at the box Office" ending up becoming a decent grosser.[20]
His only film in 2012 was the long-delayed movie Podaa Podi, released on November 13, 2012 on Diwali, whcih ended up as a failure among critics[21] as well as the box office.[22] Currently, he is shooting the action thriller Vettai Mannan. The latter, co-starring Jai, Deeksha Seth, Hansika Motwani and Poonam Kaur will feature film as a hitman and is touted to be made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.[23] He has signed Vetrimaaran's Vada Chennai, playing a lead role starring Rana Daggubati and Andrea Jeremiah in crucial roles, which is expected to commence by mid-2013.[24]
Other work
Silambarasan has frequently worked as playback singer in the Tamil film industry. He first sung playback in Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala and has since sung over 40 songs for various composers. He predominantly sings in his own films and has collaborated mostly with his friend and fellow composer Yuvan Shankar Raja. Silambarasan has also penned lyrics for several songs from his films. On 27 December 2011, Silambarasan released his first non-filmy promo single "Love Anthem For World Peace and Love" to promote world peace.[25] The song was composed by Silambarasan himself and the lyrics contain words of 96 global languages.[26]
Silambarasan became a voice actor after dubbing the Tamil dialogues for the protagonist in the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.[27]
Silambarasan was recently signed as the Brand Ambassador of PepsiCo India for their soft drink 7 Up softdrinks in Tamil Nadu.[28]
Awards
Honors
Kalaimamani from Government of Tamil Nadu (2006)[29]
Winners
Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Awards – Best Dancer for Silambattam (2009)
Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Awards – Rising Star Lyricist for "Where is the Party" (Silambattam) (2009)
Edison Award – Best Actor for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
Big FM Tamil Entertainment Awards – Most Entertaining Actor Award for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2011)
International Tamil Film Awards – ITFA Best Actor Award for Vaanam (2012)
Stylish Star of South Cinema from SIIMA Awards (2012)[30]
Nominations
Vijay Award for Favourite Hero for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2011)[31]
Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Tamil for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2011)[32]
Filmography
As Actor
As Actor
Year Film Role Notes
1987 Oru Thayin Sabhatham Child artist
1988 En Thangai Kalyani Child artist
1989 Samsara Sangeetham Child artist
1991 Shanti Enathu Shanti Child artist
1992 Enga Veetu Velan Child artist
1993 Sabash Babu Babu Child artist
1993 Pettredutha Pillai Child artist
1993 Rajadi Rajavan Child artist
1993 Thiruvalla Child artist
1994 Oru Vasantha Geetham Child artist
1995 Thai Thangai Paasam Child artist
1999 Monisha En Monalisa Special appearance
2001 Sonnal Thaan Kathala Special appearance
2002 Kadhal Azhivathillai Simbu
2003 Dum Sathya
2003 Alai Aathi
2003 Kovil Sakthivel
2004 Kuththu Gurumoorthy
2004 Manmadhan Madhankumar,
Madhanraj Also screenwriter
2005 Thotti Jaya Jayachandran
2006 Saravana Saravana
2006 Vallavan Vallavan Also director, screenwriter
2008 Kaalai Jeeva
2008 Silambattam Vichu,
Thamizharasan
2010 Goa Madhankumar Special appearance
2010 Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa Karthik Sivakumar
2010 Ye Maaya Chesave Himself Guest appearance
Telugu film
2011 Vaanam "Cable" Raja
2011 Osthe Osthe Velan
2012 Podaa Podi Arjun
2013 Vaalu Filming
2013 Vettai Mannan Filming
2013 Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya Guest appearance
Filming
2013 Vada Chennai Filming
As Playback Singer
As Playback Singer
Year Song Film Notes
2012 Appan Mavanae Vaada
I am a Kuthu Dancer
Love Panlaama Venaama Podaa Podi Also Lyrics
2012 Vandharai Vazhavaikum Mathil Mel Poonai
2012 Natpukkillai Ellai Sridar
2011 Pondati Osthi Also Lyric[33]
2011 Nathiyile- Fully Loaded Doo
2011 Nathiyile Alai Ondru Doo
2011 No Money No Honey
Evan Di Unna Pethan Vaanam Also Lyric
"Evan Di Unna Pethan"
2011 Kaattuvazhi Mambattiyan
2010 Oola Vediyae Thottupaar
2010 Sama Sama Yama Yama Drohi
2010 Sundara Purusha Murattu Kaalai
2010 Pattu Pattu Thillalangadi
2010 Ka Ka Ka Naanayam
2010 Kannakkol Thiruda Nellu
2009 Mallakottai Kannu Anthony Yaar?
2009 Thallakulam Renigunta
2009 Mansellam Kulir 100°
2009 Karuppayee Aathi Narayana
2008 Nallamdhana
Vechikkava Silambattam
2008 Kutti Pisase
Vanthutaanda Kaalai Kaalai
2008 Thanni Karuthuruchi Ennai Theriyuma
2007 Hello Hello I Love You Veerasamy
2006 Loosu Penne
Loosu Penne (Club Mix)
Kadhal Vanthirichu
Yammaadi Aathaadi Vallavan Also Lyric
Loosu Penne
2006 Eppadiyum Oruthankidda Nee Venunda Chellam
2006 Gori Thera
Kadhal Keedal Saravana
2004 En Aasai Mythiliae
Thathai Thathai Manmadhan
2004 Pothu Thaaku Kuththu
2004 Stella Maris
Koththamalli Samasthanam
2003 Kadhal Panna Kovil
2003 Kalakkuven Dum
2003 Kuththadi Kuththadi Ramachandra
2002 Dil Dil Dil Red
2002 Sight Adippom April Maadhathil
2002 Jothikava
Clinton Magalo Kadhal Azhivathillai
2002 Baila More Kadhal Virus
2001 Chukkumula
Mullaaga Kuththakoodaathu Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
achieved recogniton for his work in Manmadhan (2004), which was written and also "ghost-directed" by him and became his first major commercial success. He made his full-flegded directorial debut with an average Vallavan (2006), while he received wide critical praise for his performance in Gautham Menon's blockbuster Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010). He also starred in critical success Vaanam and a masala Osthe, both in 2011.
Contents
1 Personal life
2 Education
3 Film career
3.1 Debut as child artiste
3.2 2002–2003
3.3 Breakthrough (2004–2009)
3.4 Success (2010–present)
4 Other work
5 Awards
6 Filmography
6.1 As Actor
6.2 As Playback Singer
Personal life
Silambarasan was born to director, music composer, singer, actor, dancer, screenwriter and politician Vijaya T. Rajendar and former actress Usha Rajendar. He is elder child of three children, He has a younger brother Kuralarasan and a younger sister Ilakiya.
Education
He studied at the Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, St.John's International Residential School and Santhome Higher Secondary school, Chennai. He had a great passion for dance right from his school days and used to choreograph dances even back then. He then attended The Ashram School in Chennai and also completed an Audio Engineering Course.[3]
Film career
Debut as child artiste
Silambarasan started his career as a child artiste in 1987 and acted in nearly 19 of his father's films, including Thai Thangai Paasam, Oru Vasantha Geetham, En Thangai Kalyani, Enga Veetu Velan, Monisha En Monalisa, Oru Thayin Sabhatham, Samsara Sangeetham, Shanti Enathu Shanti, Pettredutha Pillai, Thiruvalla and Sabash Babu. In Samsara Sangeetham, Silambarasan danced to a song singing "I am a little star5, Aaaven Naan Super Star".[2] His father had an idea to make Silambarasan direct a film at the age of 15 but dropped later.[4]
2002–2003
Silambarasan played his first starring role at age 19 in Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002) directed by his father Vijaya T. Rajendar, co-starring Charmy Kaur. His second film was Dhum (2003) that did average business at the box-office,[4] which was followed by Kuththu (2003),[5] which ran for 100 days and was his first successful film. His fourth film Alai ran over 50 days at the box office, while his subsequent release Kovil was an average grosser at the box office. He got a name for himself as "romantic young actor with style as his benchmark".[6]
Breakthrough (2004–2009)
Silambarasan took an year off from acting to concentrate on Manmadhan, for which he had written story, screenplay and dialogues.[6] The film featured him in dual roles for the first time, as a serial killer of women, and Jyothika as his pair. The film became a high commercial success at the box-office, completing a 275-days-theatrical run, while also earning rave reviews. His next film, Thotti Jaya[7] stood up to the expectations at the box-office and had good reviews for his performance.
In 2006, he starred in Saravana, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, opposite Jyothika again, which released along with Ajith's Paramasivan and Vijay's Athi did good business at the box office.[8] He next turned director with Vallavan (2006), besides playing the lead in the film, acting opposite Nayantara, Reema Sen and Sandhya. Vallavan did above average business at the box office.[9]
He had no releases in 2007 and his next film, the Tarun Gopi-directed masala film Kaalai was released in January 2008.[10] The film was panned by critics and was clearly a flop. Later that year, he appeared in another action-masala film Silambattam. Although opening to mixed reviews, the film went on to be a super hit.[4] In Goa, he played a cameo role, reprising his Manmadhan character at the ending of the film.[11] These failures did not let his status down, since he was praised for this multitalented nature.
Success (2010–present)
In 2010, his 25th film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa released, in which he was paired with Trisha Krishnan. Directed and written by Gautham Menon, the film fetched highly positive reviews and became his biggest success and one of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil earning a cult status.[12] Silambarasan received critical acclaim for his performance as Karthik, resulting in several awards and nominations. The film proved to be a significant turning point in his career, changing his media image.[13] Director K. Balachander in an open letter called Silambarasan's performance as his best in his career.[14]
The following year he was seen in two films, the drama film Vaanam and the masala film Osthe, both remakes of the critically acclaimed Telugu film Vedam (2010) and the Hindi blockbuster Dabangg (2010), respectively. Vaanam, which featured Silambarasan as part of an ensemble cast including Bharath, Anushka Shetty, Prakash Raj and Saranya Ponvannan,[15] opened to positive reviews and crossed 100-day mark and made good revenues in the centers released.[16] Malathi Rangarajan from The Hindu wrote: "After the stupendous hit of VTV, Vaanam should be another significant film in STR's career".[17] Osthe, directed by S. Dharani, released in more than 110 screens overseas in December 2011,[18] in which Silambarasan played a police officer for the first time in his career. Osthe was the biggest ever overseas release in Silambarasan's career, with the actor naming it the "biggest action film that he has done so far".[19] The film was reported to have got a "flying start at the box Office" ending up becoming a decent grosser.[20]
His only film in 2012 was the long-delayed movie Podaa Podi, released on November 13, 2012 on Diwali, whcih ended up as a failure among critics[21] as well as the box office.[22] Currently, he is shooting the action thriller Vettai Mannan. The latter, co-starring Jai, Deeksha Seth, Hansika Motwani and Poonam Kaur will feature film as a hitman and is touted to be made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.[23] He has signed Vetrimaaran's Vada Chennai, playing a lead role starring Rana Daggubati and Andrea Jeremiah in crucial roles, which is expected to commence by mid-2013.[24]
Other work
Silambarasan has frequently worked as playback singer in the Tamil film industry. He first sung playback in Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala and has since sung over 40 songs for various composers. He predominantly sings in his own films and has collaborated mostly with his friend and fellow composer Yuvan Shankar Raja. Silambarasan has also penned lyrics for several songs from his films. On 27 December 2011, Silambarasan released his first non-filmy promo single "Love Anthem For World Peace and Love" to promote world peace.[25] The song was composed by Silambarasan himself and the lyrics contain words of 96 global languages.[26]
Silambarasan became a voice actor after dubbing the Tamil dialogues for the protagonist in the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.[27]
Silambarasan was recently signed as the Brand Ambassador of PepsiCo India for their soft drink 7 Up softdrinks in Tamil Nadu.[28]
Awards
Honors
Kalaimamani from Government of Tamil Nadu (2006)[29]
Winners
Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Awards – Best Dancer for Silambattam (2009)
Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Awards – Rising Star Lyricist for "Where is the Party" (Silambattam) (2009)
Edison Award – Best Actor for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
Big FM Tamil Entertainment Awards – Most Entertaining Actor Award for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2011)
International Tamil Film Awards – ITFA Best Actor Award for Vaanam (2012)
Stylish Star of South Cinema from SIIMA Awards (2012)[30]
Nominations
Vijay Award for Favourite Hero for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2011)[31]
Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Tamil for Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2011)[32]
Filmography
As Actor
As Actor
Year Film Role Notes
1987 Oru Thayin Sabhatham Child artist
1988 En Thangai Kalyani Child artist
1989 Samsara Sangeetham Child artist
1991 Shanti Enathu Shanti Child artist
1992 Enga Veetu Velan Child artist
1993 Sabash Babu Babu Child artist
1993 Pettredutha Pillai Child artist
1993 Rajadi Rajavan Child artist
1993 Thiruvalla Child artist
1994 Oru Vasantha Geetham Child artist
1995 Thai Thangai Paasam Child artist
1999 Monisha En Monalisa Special appearance
2001 Sonnal Thaan Kathala Special appearance
2002 Kadhal Azhivathillai Simbu
2003 Dum Sathya
2003 Alai Aathi
2003 Kovil Sakthivel
2004 Kuththu Gurumoorthy
2004 Manmadhan Madhankumar,
Madhanraj Also screenwriter
2005 Thotti Jaya Jayachandran
2006 Saravana Saravana
2006 Vallavan Vallavan Also director, screenwriter
2008 Kaalai Jeeva
2008 Silambattam Vichu,
Thamizharasan
2010 Goa Madhankumar Special appearance
2010 Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa Karthik Sivakumar
2010 Ye Maaya Chesave Himself Guest appearance
Telugu film
2011 Vaanam "Cable" Raja
2011 Osthe Osthe Velan
2012 Podaa Podi Arjun
2013 Vaalu Filming
2013 Vettai Mannan Filming
2013 Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya Guest appearance
Filming
2013 Vada Chennai Filming
As Playback Singer
As Playback Singer
Year Song Film Notes
2012 Appan Mavanae Vaada
I am a Kuthu Dancer
Love Panlaama Venaama Podaa Podi Also Lyrics
2012 Vandharai Vazhavaikum Mathil Mel Poonai
2012 Natpukkillai Ellai Sridar
2011 Pondati Osthi Also Lyric[33]
2011 Nathiyile- Fully Loaded Doo
2011 Nathiyile Alai Ondru Doo
2011 No Money No Honey
Evan Di Unna Pethan Vaanam Also Lyric
"Evan Di Unna Pethan"
2011 Kaattuvazhi Mambattiyan
2010 Oola Vediyae Thottupaar
2010 Sama Sama Yama Yama Drohi
2010 Sundara Purusha Murattu Kaalai
2010 Pattu Pattu Thillalangadi
2010 Ka Ka Ka Naanayam
2010 Kannakkol Thiruda Nellu
2009 Mallakottai Kannu Anthony Yaar?
2009 Thallakulam Renigunta
2009 Mansellam Kulir 100°
2009 Karuppayee Aathi Narayana
2008 Nallamdhana
Vechikkava Silambattam
2008 Kutti Pisase
Vanthutaanda Kaalai Kaalai
2008 Thanni Karuthuruchi Ennai Theriyuma
2007 Hello Hello I Love You Veerasamy
2006 Loosu Penne
Loosu Penne (Club Mix)
Kadhal Vanthirichu
Yammaadi Aathaadi Vallavan Also Lyric
Loosu Penne
2006 Eppadiyum Oruthankidda Nee Venunda Chellam
2006 Gori Thera
Kadhal Keedal Saravana
2004 En Aasai Mythiliae
Thathai Thathai Manmadhan
2004 Pothu Thaaku Kuththu
2004 Stella Maris
Koththamalli Samasthanam
2003 Kadhal Panna Kovil
2003 Kalakkuven Dum
2003 Kuththadi Kuththadi Ramachandra
2002 Dil Dil Dil Red
2002 Sight Adippom April Maadhathil
2002 Jothikava
Clinton Magalo Kadhal Azhivathillai
2002 Baila More Kadhal Virus
2001 Chukkumula
Mullaaga Kuththakoodaathu Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
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