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Ranjith (born 15 November 1972) is an Indian actor and director who appears in Tamil and Malayalam language films. In 2024, he participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 8 as a contestant.

Acting career

After completing a course in acting, Ranjith made his acting debut in 1993 with Pon Vilangu, directed by K. S. Rajkumar, was produced by R. K. Selvamani. The critic K. Vijayan of New Straits Times praised Ranjith's acting citing that "Ranjith, despite his big build, impresses in his debut performance." The next year, he acted the lead role in the rural drama Sindhu Nathi Poo (1994).

In 1996, he appeared in Minor Mappillai and in Avathara Purushan. In the start of 1998, Ranjith played as an antagonist in Maru Malarchi opposite Mammooty, the film was released to critical acclaim and he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain for his role. He later acted in Ninaithen Vandhai then the blockbuster Natpukkaga and played the villain role in Dharma. He appeared in the supporting role in Desiya Geetham and Pudhumai Pithan while he played one of the leads in the low-budget film Cheran Chozhan Pandian. He resumes his role in the Telegu drama Sneham Kosam (1999), remake of Natpukkaga directed by K. S. Ravikumar.

From 1999 to 2001, he had predominantly appeared in supporting and villain roles except in Nesam Pudhusu and Kann Thirandhu Paaramma where he played the lead role. In 2003, Ranjith directed, produced and played the title role in Bheeshmar (2003).

Ranjith later acted in Malayalam movies such as Natturajavu (2004), Rajamanikyam (2005), Chandrolsavam (2005) and Lokanathan IAS (2005).

He has acted as the lead role in Aadhikkam (2005), Padhavi Paduthum Paadu (2005), Pasupathi c/o Rasakkapalayam (2007), Kasimedu Govindan (2008) and Munnar (2009) as well as in supporting role in Thambikku Indha Ooru (2010), Gowravargal (2010), Sagaptham (2015) and Adhibar (2015).

Ranjith makes small-screen debut with Vijay TV’s Senthoora Poove. He is particularly through his role in the much-loved serial Baakiyalakshmi. His work in serials has further endeared him to a broader audience, cementing his place in the industry as a beloved figure.

Initially scheduled to release in February 2024, due to the controversies surrounding the film, his self-directed drama film titled Kavundampalayam was pushed to August 2024.

In 2024, he participated in the reality television series Bigg Boss 8 as a contestant. He was later evicted from the show on day 76 at 13th place.

Political career

Ranjith was a member and spokesperson of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for many years. After the death of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in December 2016, Ranjith started to support O. Panneerselvam's faction of AIADMK. In July 2018, Ranjith left the AIADMK and joined the Pattali Makkal Katchi as the new deputy leader of the party. On 26 February 2019, Ranjith, the vice president of PMK, quit the party citing that he could not digest S. Ramadoss and Anbumani Ramadoss' change of stance in supporting the AIADMK in the 2019 Indian general election. The next day, Ranjith met Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam's generel secretary T. T. V. Dhinakaran and joined the party officially.

Controversies

In August 2024, Ranjith sparked controversy while speaking to media, saying that caste-based honor killing was not violence; rather, it was a parent's way of showing their care towards their children. He later retracted his statement, saying that he "oppose all forms of killing".

Filmography

Tamil films

Malayalam films

Telugu film

Television series

Voice artist

• Manoj Bharathiraja – Kadal Pookkal (2001)

References

1. "Love Marriages Which Soon Resulted In Divorce| South Actors | Latest Articles". nettv4u. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
2. "Did divorced actors Priya Raman and Ranjith reunite? Pics of stars go viral". Onmanorama. 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
3. "Ranjith's next venture soon – TAMIL NADU". The Hindu. 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 18 October 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
4. K. Vijiyan (24 July 1993). "Surprise hit for movie using well-tried formula". New Straits Times. p. 26. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
5. "Actor Ranjith makes small-screen debut with Vijay TV's Sendhoora Poove".
6. "பாக்கியலட்சுமி சீரியல்.. பைக்கில் எண்ட்ரி கொடுத்த ரஞ்சித்.. மோதி விழுந்த பாக்யா.. Baakiyalakshmi".
7. "Ranjith faces backlash after stating that "caste based honour killing is not violence".
8. "Bigg Boss Tamil 8 Contestant Ranjith: Here's what you need to know about the Baakiyalakshmi actor".
9. "பா.ம.க.வில் இணைந்தார் நடிகர் ரஞ்சித்" [Actor Ranjith joined in PMK] (in Tamil). News18 Tamil Nadu. 23 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
10. ""அ.தி.மு.கவை விட்டு பா.ம.கவில் இணைந்தது ஏன்?" நடிகர் ரஞ்சித்" [Actor Ranjith speaks about his political decision] (in Tamil). Vikatan. 21 August 2018. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
11. "Actor Ranjith joins AMMK, quits PMK state VP post".
12. "Actor Ranjith says 'honour killing isn't violence', gets mercilessly trolled". India Today. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
13. "Tamil actor Ranjith dubs caste-based 'honour' killings as parental care; backpedals after backlash: 'I don't even like murders'". The Indian Express. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
14. "Kavundampalayam (2024) - Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date in chennai- BookMyShow". 26 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.

• Male actors in Tamil cinema
• Indian male film actors
• Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
• Tamil actors
• 1972 births
• Living people
• Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam politicians
• Pattali Makkal Katchi politicians
• All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians
• Bigg Boss (Tamil TV series) contestants