Yecha Gunja Mahendran[1] (born 9 January 1950), also known as Y. G. Mahendra, is an Indian actor, dramatist, singer, playwright and comedian from the state of Tamil Nadu. He has acted in a number of plays and films. He is the son of Y. G. Parthasarathy, one of the pioneers of modern Tamil drama and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, founder and dean of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools, and nephew of veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balaji. Mahendran is also the cousin of actress Vyjayanthimala[2] and the co-brother of Rajinikanth and Mohanlal.[3][4]
Y. G. Mahendran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Yecha Gunja Mahendran 9 January 1950 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Spouse |
Sudha Mahendra (m. 1975) |
| Children | 2, including Madhuvanti Arun |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives |
|
Early life and family
editY. G. Mahendran was born on 9 January 1950[5][6] to Y. G. Parthasarathy and Y. G. Rajalakshmi. Y. G. P. founded the United Amateur Artists (UAA), one of the first drama companies in Madras city, in the year 1952.[7] His drama company was a success and he emerged as one of the foremost dramatists of his era. Mahendran's mother Mrs. Rajalakshmi (also called Mrs. Y.G.P.) was the founder of the Padma Seshadri Group of Schools. Starting from modest beginnings in a thatched shed in the terrace of the Y.G.P. home in 1959 with a batch of eleven students as an act of social service for the members of the Nungambakkam Recreation Club the school has since emerged as one of the best schools in India.
Hailing from a family of stage-lovers, Mahendran soon developed a liking for drama from his early days. He played the part of comedian in school plays and earned acclaim. On completion of his schooling from Don Bosco Egmore, he studied Chemical Engineering at A. C. College of Technology, Guindy and MBA.[8] During his college days, he was touted as a prospective film actor. He was in his early teens when he joined his father's drama troupe, the United Amateur Artists (UAA). This gave him the desired break. His first few plays were huge successes attracting audiences by thousands. Mahendran's name had become one of the prominent names in the city. Eventually, he had to choose between acting and his career and he chose the former.
Y.G. Mahendran's daughter Madhuvanti is married to V. Arunkumar, who is the grandson of actors Gemini Ganesan and Savitri.[9]
Career
editIn 1970, Mahendran was cast by veteran director K. Balachander in the latter's film Navagraham. The film was an average grosser. Mahendran was discovered to have a nasal voice which made him sound funny. He acted in a variety of roles in a number of movies – particularly as a dim witted fool of a cousin – generally eclipsing roles enjoyed by Cho Ramaswamy in the 1960s and 1970s. He shared screen space with many legendary actors including Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He thanked K. Balachander, Kalakendra Govindrajan and actor Srikanth for introducing him in the industry, and said that he wouldn't have attained this height without fans. He had also been part of many television series.[10]
Political opinion
editSpeech on CAA
editMahendran made reference to the ongoing Citizenship Amendment Act protests across India and the involvement of the student community and said the students go to the protests because they can get a leave on the day and they can cause ruckus and to check out the women standing in the crowd. His statements were criticized by different sections on social media.[11] Singer Chinmayi criticised his comments and said, "Comments from men such as Y. G. Mahendran has to be brushed aside, because it's a waste of time speaking about them.[12][13]
Business
editMahendran, thanks to his brother in law, also began a parallel career in industrial ceramics and had a flourishing company established in 1982. He sold his ceramics business in 2001 for a whopping sum and has made a comeback into production and acting.
Filmography
editTamil films
editTelugu films
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Karthika Deepam | ||
| Amma Evarikaina Amma | Drunkard | ||
| 1981 | Amavasya Chandrudu | Chanti | |
| 1983 | Tarzan Sundari | Sambo | |
| 1984 | Jagan | Mahendra | |
| 1985 | Alaya Deepam | ||
| Surya Chandra | Kabir | ||
| 1987 | America Abbayi | Pradeep's friend | |
| Attagaru Zindabad | |||
| Chinnari Devatha | |||
| 1988 | Veguchukka Pagatichukka | Dubbed in Tamil as Edutha Sabatham Mudippen | |
| 1989 | Ajatha Satruvu | Chanti Babu | |
| Krishna Gari Abbayi | |||
| 1992 | Thummeda | ||
| 1993 | Jeevana Vedam | ||
| 2023 | Custody | Party president |
Malayalam films
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Maalika Paniyunnavar | Krishnan Mesthiri | |
| Velicham Vitharunna Penkutty | Swami | ||
| 1983 | Oomakkuyil | Lead role | |
| 1990 | Naale Ennundengil | ||
| 1992 | Ente Tution Teacher | ||
| 1997 | Kaduva Thomas | Gajendran | |
| 2011 | Doubles | Piyari Sayip | |
| 2012 | Namma Gramam | Burma Ambi Swami | |
| 2020 | Shyamaragam | Ramanaadha Bhagavathar | |
| 2024 | Varshangalkku Shesham | Swaminathan |
Hindi films
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Naseeb Apna Apna | Ram Prasad | Special appearance |
| 1993 | Muqabla | Police Constable Saajan | |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thuppariyum Sambu | Sambu | Doordarshan | |
| 1998 | Mr. Brain | DD Podhigai | |
| 1999 | Vasool Chakravarthy | Sun TV | |
| 2001–2002 | Vazhkai | ||
| 2002 | Sherlock Maami | DD Podhigai | |
| 2002–2004 | Rudhraveenai | "Sakthi Upasakar" Narasimma Barathi | Sun TV |
| 2003–2004 | Sahaana | JKB | Jaya TV |
| 2004–2005 | Chidambara Rahasiyam | Dr. Thillairajan | Sun TV |
| 2007 | Thavam | ||
| 2012–2017 | Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval | Namboothiri | |
| 2015 | Enga Veettu Penn | Zee Tamil | |
| 2020 | Roja | Suresh Chakravarthy | Sun TV |
| 2020–2021 | Anbe Vaa | Colonel Ram | |
| 2024 | Mahakavi Bharathi | Kuvalai Kannan | DD Tamizh |
| 2025 | Mega Sangamam - Annam, Kayal & Marumagal | Sakthivel Kalingarayar | Sun TV |
Web series
edit| Year | Title | Role | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Karoline Kamakshi | Chidhambharam | ZEE5 | [19][20] |
| 2021 | Navarasa | Krishna Iyer | Netflix | episode: Summer of '92 |
| 2024 | Thalaimai Seyalagam | Advocate Rangarajan | ZEE5 | |
| Aindham Vedham | Rudhrapathy |
As director
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Uravukku Kai Koduppom | |
| 1987 | Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam | |
Stage plays
edit- Venkata 3
- Vietnam Veedu
- Sudesi Iyer
- Thanthramukhi
- Kaadhalikka Neramundu
- Antha 7 Aatkal
- Ragasiyam Parama Ragasiyam
- Irandam Ragasiyam
- Soppana Vazhvil
- Kasedhan Kadavulada
- Nadagam
Dubbing artist
edit| Year | Title | Actor | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Iru Nilavugal | Kamal Haasan | ||
| 1990 | Vaaliban | Babu Mohan | ||
| Vyjayanthi IPS | Babu Mohan | |||
| Idhuthanda Police | Babu Mohan | |||
| 1992 | Pokkiri Ponnu | Babu Mohan | ||
| Aladdin | Genie | |||
| Asokan | Jagathy Sreekumar | |||
| 1994 | The Lion King | Timon | ||
| Captain | Costumes Krishna | |||
| 1999 | Devi | Babu Mohan | ||
| 2022 | Sita Ramam | Murli Sharma |
References
edit- ↑ Sriram, Sarayu (2022). "Humour is his Stage" (PDF). Champions of Chennai. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 April 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "You and Sivaji made a great jodi". The Hindu. 20 September 2004. Archived from the original on 10 April 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ↑ "Rajinikanth is doing fine, says his relative Y Gee Mahendran".
- ↑ "YG Mahendra's son wedding and reception photos: Look who all graced the marriage". International Business Times.
- ↑ "Profile of Y. Gee. Mahendran at Nilacharal.com". Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2007.
- ↑ "A short autobiography of Y Gee M on his official website". Archived from the original on 9 May 2008.
- ↑ "History of UAA". Archived from the original on 9 May 2008.
- ↑ "His educational qualifications at ygeem.com". Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ↑ "Rajini, Mohan Lal, Dhanush and Rekha are relatives - Lockdown timepass trivia".
- ↑ "Y Gee Mahendra completes 50 years in cinema: Thanks to the great K Balachander for introducing me".
- ↑ "Actor's comments on CAA protests invites ire". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ↑ Subramanian, Anupama (25 December 2019). "Y Gee Mahendran trolled for comments on CAA protests". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ↑ "மாணவர்கள் போராட்டம் குறித்து ஒய்.ஜி. மகேந்திரன் கருத்து! | Actor YG Mahendran Controversial speech about Students protest | News7 Tamil". ns7.tv (in Tamil). Retrieved 10 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Anantha Movie Review: Faith anthology for the already faithful". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Vengeance trailer: Veni's straightforward acts of governance attract enemies". Cinema Express. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "Nee Forever Movie Review: Another Gen-Z romance running on empty calories". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Manithan Deivamagalam". Book My Show.
- ↑ SV, Harshini (16 June 2026). "Charukesi Movie Review: A Melodious Tale That Struggles To Find Its Rhythm". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "Karoline Kamakshi review: Meena's web series debut is a forgettable action-comedy". Karoline Kamakshi review: Meena's web series debut is a forgettable action-comedy. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ↑ "Karoline Kamakshi Review: Good cop, bad cop in a very bad show". Cinema Express. 6 December 2019. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.