Rahul Thatha

Rahul Thatha
Born
Udayabhanu
OccupationActor
Years active1969-1976
2010-present
Known forNaanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015)

Rahul Thatha (born as Udayabhanu) is an Indian actor and comedian who has predominantly appeared in Tamil language films in comedy track sequences. He gained spotlight for his acting in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015).[1]

Career

He aspired to enter the film industry at a young age after taking inspiration from films such as the James Bond film series during his childhood.[2] In 1965, Rahul Thatha travelled from his hometown Nagapattinam to reach Vijayaraghavapuram in Chennai with an ambition of pursuing his passion in film acting. He made the decision to move away from his hometown at the tender age of 20.[2][3] However, he was made to wait for a considerable period of time to receive callsheet from filmmakers, and he also reportedly did not have an influence of a cinematic background. He then decided to work in hotels on a contractual basis.[2] After a stint working as an employee at various hotels, he received contract as a caterer at the film sets and shooting locations.[2] Rahul Thatha apparently met veteran Indian actor M. G. Ramachandran during an occasion at the film shooting spot and since then M. G. Ramachandran became Rahul Thatha's mentor and Rahul Thatha also served as M. G. Ramachandran's chef for a brief stint.[2]

Rahul subsequently received film acting opportunities starring alongside MGR in uncredited roles including Adimai Penn (1969), Rickshawkaran (1971), Idhayakkani (1975) and Uzhaikkum Karangal (1976).[4][2] However, he did not receive major roles in films afterwards and made a brief appearance in Selvaraghavan's directorial venture Aayirathil Oruvan (2010).[2] He made a comeback in film acting in a full-fledged role after a long hiatus in A. R. Murugadoss's directorial venture Kaththi (2014), which had Vijay in the pivotal role. He eventually was called up for a photoshoot to feature in Dhanush's film Maari (2015).[5] After Vignesh Shivan wanted to cast him in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, he asked Dhanush, who was also the producer of the film, to find someone else for the role in Maari.[6]

His performance and screen presence as a gangster named Rahul Thatha in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan received acclaim from audiences, and his breakthrough role eventually raked him film acting offers from filmmakers with his character name becoming his stage name.[7][3]

Filmography

Television

References

  1. ^ "'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan' actor Udhayabanu reveals how Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan's fell in love". The Times of India. 2022-08-02. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Nath, Parshathy J. (2017-03-29). "Seventy six and still a charmer". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  3. ^ a b ""ரஜினி 'அண்ணே'னு கூப்பிடுவார். நான் அவரை 'குருவே'னு கூப்பிடுவேன்" - ஃப்ரெண்ட்ஷிப் பகிர்கிறார் ராகுல் தாத்தா #VikatanExclusive". Vikatan (in Tamil). 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  4. ^ காந்தி, உ சுதர்சன் (2020-05-20). "``நான் இப்போ இளைஞரணித் தலைவர்... எங்க தெரியுமா?!" -`நானும் ரவுடிதான்' ராகுல் தாத்தா". Vikatan (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  5. ^ "சினிமா வேண்டாம், ஊருக்குப் போகலாம் என்றபோது வந்த வாய்ப்பு: ராகுல் தாத்தா நெகிழ்ச்சி". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 2019-05-25. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  6. ^ "'என் ஆதரவு ஓ.பன்னீர்செல்வத்துக்கே!'' – கொந்தளிக்கிறார் ராகுல் தாத்தா". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 7 February 2019. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  7. ^ "இவர் டான் கிடையாது, டானுக்கு எல்லாம் டான் - ராகுல் தாத்தா". Maalaimalar (in Tamil). 2019-05-25. Retrieved 2024-11-09.