I – Ilavarasu | A-Z Challenge | Actors Series
I for Ilavarasu in the list of Actors we are seeing in the A-Z Challenge.
Ilavarasu started his career as an Assistant Cameraman to B. Kannan and became an actor by chance. His first Major role comes as Angusamy in Bharathiraja’s Pasumpon. He made a mark as the evil-minded liquor Angusamy. He is the one acts as the catalyst in increasing the enmity between protagonist and Antagonist. With such short screen time and in the presence of great actors he makes a great impression as an actor. But it was the role of Karmegam in Thavasi which established him as a brilliant supporting actor. His performance at the pre-climax with Vadivukkarasi earned him a lot of chances as an actor.
But most of the current generation remember him for his comedy roles and his association with Chimbu Devan. First of the association comes in Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikecei. As the Amaichar Manguni Pandiar, he steals the show totally. His combination with Vadivelu made the movie a great treat to watch. His casual dialogue delivery and subtle performance cannot be replaced. Then his role as Wellesley Prabhu in Arai en 305il Kadavul is an everyman’s role through which we see and communicate to God. His casual comments and communication to God is something of an art. Another great role comes in Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam as Dagulaandi. His casual comments and twist in the character arc is something none can do with such an ease.
But I wish to highlight his association with another director and that is what made me choose him for this letter. Whenever we think of the best middle class struggling father’s role or a poor father struggling to make his kids happy we remember Raj Kiran’s role in Thavamai Thavamirunthu. Some consider it as the best portrayal of a struggling father. But Ilavarasu has portrayed a similar character and gave a performance that I feel is in equally good to that of Raj Kiran’s portrayal. His role of Thavasi in Raasu Mathuravan’s Muthukku Muthaaga is one of the best ever portrayal of a rural father. As a sacrificial father who does everything for the welfare of his kids, his role holds the movie totally.
As a fan of melodrama, this movie lies heavily on the shoulders of Saranya Ponvannan and Ilavarasu’s performance as the couple who devote their lives for their children and get hatred in return. This movie is not a classic as such, but it is definitely worth watching for the fans of melodrama genre. Ilavarasu captures the life of every sacrificial father brilliantly.
Trivia:
His primary interest was to become a successful cinematographer. As he was not getting many chances, he turned into acting.
He is an avid reader of Tamil Literature.
He is a close friend of Seeman and his first film as a cinematographer was Panchalamkurichi.
He was also working as a production manager for Bharathi Raja’s production house for a short while.
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