Y G MAHENDRAN

Y G MAHENDRAN – Film Actor

Yechan Gunja Mahendran (born 9 January 1950), popularly known as Y. G. Mahendran to Y. G. Parthasarathy and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy. Y.G.P. founded the United Amateur Artists (UAA), one of the first drama companies in Madras city, in the year 1952. His drama company was a success and he emerged as one of the foremost dramatists of his era. Mahendra'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, Mahendra 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 Matriculation School, Egmore, Chennai-600008, he studied Chemical Engineering at A.C.College of Technology, Univ. Madras, Guindy and MBA. 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. Mahendra's had become one of the prominent names in the city. Eventually, he had to choose between acting and his career and he choose the former.

In 1971, Mahendra was cast by veteran director K. Balachander in the latter's film Navagraham. The film was an average grosser. Mahendra was discovered to have a nasal accent which made him 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 1960's and 70's.

Mahendra's career spans over four decades and involves more than 200 movies. He also acted in supporting roles with actors like Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan and his co-brother, Rajinikanth. He acted with Rajnikanth in films like Pokkiri Raja, Paayum Puli, Shri Raghavendra, Veera and with Kamal Hassan in movies like Apoorva Raagangal, Neeya, Guru, etc.,

Y.Gee began a parallel career in Industrial Ceramics and had a flourishing company established in 1982- by which period his acting career thinned down and he became more preoccupied with his business. He sold his ceramics business in 2001 for a whopping sum and has made a comeback into production and acting- his most recent role being in Dheiva Thirumagal.

Y.G. Mahendran's daughter was married to legendary actress Savithri's grandson.

His movies include:

2013 - Ramanujan (English/Tamil) - Filming

2013 - Thalaivaa (Tamil)

2013 - Irandam Ulagam (Tamil) - Filming

2013 - Puthran (Tamil) - Filming

2012 - Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal (Tamil)

2011 - Venghai (Tamil)

2011 - Deiva Thirumagal (Tamil)

2011 - Yudham Sei (Tamil)

2011 - Ilaignan (Tamil)

2010 - Anandhapurathu Veedu (Tamil)

2010 - Pen Singam (Tamil)

2009 - Kanthaswamy (Tamil)

2009 - Indira Vizha ( Tamil )

2008 - Seval ( Tamil )

2008 - Pandhayam (Tamil)

2007 - Sringaram ( Tamil )

2006 - Kusthi (Tamil)

2006 - Jambhavan (Tamil)

1995 - Chinna Vathiyar ( Tamil )

1994 - Veera ( Tamil )

1994 - Sakthivel (Tamil)

1987 - Anand ( Tamil )

1987 - Anbulla Appa ( Tamil )

1986 - Marumagal ( Tamil )

1986 - Annai En Dheivam ( Tamil )

1985 - Naan Sigappu Manithan ( Tamil )

1985 - Needhiyin Nizhal ( Tamil )

1985 - Sri Raghavendra ( Tamil )

1985 - Aduthathu Albert ( Tamil )

1985 - Nalla Thambi ( Tamil )

1985 - Padikkadha Pannaiyar ( Tamil )

1984 - Tharaasu ( Tamil )

1984 - Nallavanuku Nallavan ( Tamil )

1984 - Vaazhkai ( Tamil )

1984 - Anbulla Rajinikanth ( Tamil )

1984 - Kudumbam ( Tamil )

1984 - Vamsa Vilakku ( Tamil )

1984 - Kai Kodukkum Kai ( Tamil )

1983 - Neethibathi ( Tamil )

1983 - Sumangali ( Tamil )

1983 - Uruvangal Maralam ( Tamil )

1983 - Sivappu Sooriyan ( Tamil )

1983 - Vellai Roja ( Tamil )

1983 - Miruthanga Chakravarthi ( Tamil )

1983 - Oomakkuyil ( Malayalam )

1982 - Adhisaya Piravigal ( Tamil )

1982 - Sangili ( Tamil )

1982 - Sagalakala Vallavan ( Tamil )

1982 - Vaa Kanna Vaa ( Tamil )

1982 - Paritchaikku Neramaachu ( Tamil )

1982 - Rani Theni ( Tamil )

1982 - Thyagi ( Tamil )

1982 - Simla Special( Tamil )

1981 - Kazhugu ( Tamil )

1981 - Ellam Inbamayyam ( Tamil )

1981 - Raja Paarvai ( Tamil )

1980 - Murattu Kalai ( Tamil )

1980 - Ilayarajavin Rasigai ( Tamil )

1980 - Guru (Tamil)

1979 - Annai Oru Aalayam ( Tamil )

1978 - Shankar Salim Simon ( Tamil )

1976 - Manmadha Leelai (1976) ( Tamil )

1976 - Idhaya Malar ( Tamil )

1975 - Uravukku Kayi Koduppam ( Tamil )

1974 - Dikkatra Parvathi (Tamil)

1973- Gauravam (Tamil)

1971 - Navagraham

1971 - Nootrukku Nooru (1971 film)