Chinni Jayanth is an Indian actor,film director, producer, comedian, and a very popular mimicry artist . He has appeared in many main, character, and supporting roles in Tamil films. He is also a popular television personality, having hosted hit shows like Sagalai Vs Ragalai, Kalakka Povathu Yaar on Vijay TV and Asathapovathu Yaaru on Sun TV in Chennai. He has pioneered the art of mimicry and has been instrumental in spreading this art form across the globe. He has inspired more than 2 generations of aspiring artists to take up this art form. Through his TV shows, he has gifted many leading mimicry stars to the TV and Film world. He is also a recipient of the Kalaimamani award given by the Government of Tamil Nadu for excellence in the field of cinema. He received this award from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a glittering function at Valluvar Kottam.
As an acknowledgement of his efforts in the field of cinema, mimicry, stage performances and social service activities, Chinni Jayanth was presented with a doctorate by The Open International University of Alternate Medicine on 29 December 2013. He has also been an active member of organisations like Round Table India through which he has been a part of many fundraising initiatives to give back to society. He has also involved himself in conducting many workshops on acting through which he shares his knowledge gained with 42 years of experience in the industry to help youngsters of today reach their goal in life
Early life and family Chinni Jayanth is an alumnus of Ramakrishna Mission Students Home, Chennai. He went on to study at New College, Royapettah. He then completed his acting course (Diploma in Film Technology, DFTech) from the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu in Taramani. He has a son, Srutanjay Narayanan, who has now cleared the UPSC exams to become an IAS officer.
Cinema career
Jayanth began his acting career in 1984, playing the supporting role to the eccentric villain in director Mahendran's film Kai Kodukkum Kai.
He fell into a niche with his unique style of comedy which included the creation of some unique words like "gilfans", "silfans", etc.
Jayanth's performance in Chinna Pulla (1994) along with Revathi was well received. In the movie, Jayanth portrayed a mentally challenged person. This movie was also the first production of his company Ashtalakshmi Creators.
His directorial debut was in the film Unakkaga Mattum. The second film he directed was Kaanal Neer, which introduced J.K. Rithesh and Manisha Chatterjee in lead roles.
His last direction was the movie Neeye Yen Kaadhali (2010), and played a vital role in the screen play. The film was graded by experts Suresh Menon and Brian Jennings at HD Studios, Sushma Multimedia, Chennai.
Filmography Actor Tamil films + Year Title Role Notes1984 Kai Kodukkum Kai 24 Mani Neram Seenu January 1 1985 Santhosha Kanavukal Pillai Nila Sekar Idaya Kovil Suresh's friend 1986 Uyire Unakkaga Balu's friend Muthal Vasantham Rasigan Oru Rasigai Puthir Vijay's cousin Paaru Paaru Pattanam Paaru Vidinja Kalyanam Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum Kaalamellam Un Madiyil Lakshmi Vandhachu Gilbert 1987 Velicham Valayal Satham Chinna Poove Mella Pesu Arokiyam Anand 1988 Annanagar Mudhal Theru Raja Chinna Roja Raja's friend Nallavan 1989 Dilli Babu Manidhan Marivittan Idhaya Deepam Vetri Vizha Chinni Dharmam Vellum Subbaraj Vetri Mel Vetri 1990 Idhaya Thamarai Vijay's friend Athisaya Piravi Periyasaamy Ayul Kaithi Chandrasekhar's friend Adhisaya Manithan Majunu Kizhakku Vaasal Maakaan Nangal Puthiyavargal Chandramohan Keladi Kannmanii Adaikkalam's friend My Dear Marthandan Mallu Vetti Minor Vaigasi Poranthachu Headmaster Nadigan Chinni 1991 Eeramana Rojave Maari Pudhiya Raagam Vivek Ennarukil Nee Irunthal Maanagara Kaaval Seenu Thambikku Oru Pattu Anbu Sangili Antony Idhayam Chinni Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum 1992 Endrum Anbudan Ashok Mappillai Vanthachu Meera Comic Inspector's assistant 1993 Enga Thambi Double Seven Pudhiya Mugam Michael Gokulam Chellappa's friend Kalaignan Indrajith's assistant Kathirukka Neramillai Raju's friend 1994 Paasamalargal Seevalaperi Pandi Chinna Pulla Vadivelu 1995 Paattu Padava Romeo Manathile Oru Paattu Chinni Chinna Vathiyar Aanazhagan Raghava 1996 Love Birds Arun's friend Maanbumigu Maanavan Kumar Krishna Daves Kadhal Desam Shiva 1997 Pongalo Pongal Ponrasu Ratchagan Police constable 1998 Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu Harichandra Sundaram Thaayin Manikodi Uncredited roleKannedhirey Thondrinal Boopalan Unnudan Madhesh 1999 En Swasa Kaatre Ullathai Killathe Kadhalar Dhinam Mandi Kanave Kalayadhe Pavadarayan Kannodu Kanbathellam Akash's friend Pooparika Varugirom Dhandapani Ooty Vivek 2000 Sandhitha Velai Jeeva Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven James Ennamma Kannu Unakkaga Mattum Raja 2001Dumm Dumm Dumm Star Software Sagalmass Vedham 2002Charlie Chaplin Thirupathiraj Samurai Varadarajan 2003Iyarkai "Hawala" Arumugam 2005 Dancer Sorry Enaku Kalyanamayidichu Raghu 2007Vanjagan Police constable Sivaji Cameo appearance Kaanal Neer Pari 2008Kuselan Pasimani Dhanam 2009Enga Raasi Nalla Raasi Bala's father 2010Neeye En Kadhali Also director Kattradhu Kalavu 2011Oruvar Meethu Iruvar Sainthu 2016Thodari Jack Kaththi Sandai Psychology professor 2017Muthuramalingam Doctor Rubaai Kunkumarajan 2019Petta Cameo appearance Oviyavai Vitta Yaru Aghavan Kalavu Watchman 2022Trigger Perumal Super Senior Heroes Ashok 2023 Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir Veeran Kalimuthu 2024 Singapore Saloon Barber Boat Narayanan Nirangal Moondru Sakkarai Thiru.Manickam Samuel 2025 Thug Life Sadanand's right hand 2026 Vowels Gopal Anthology film; segment: "Eros" Idhayam Murali Chinni Sardar 2 Yogi's Master
Other language films + Year Title Role Language Notes 1988 December 31 Raja Veer's friend Kannada Uncredited role1991ChaitanyaSmugglerTeluguNirnayam1993 Rakshana1995Muddayi Muddugumma2008Kathanayakudu Tribal Scenes reused from Kuselan
Director Unakkaga Mattum (2000) Kaanal Neer (2007) Neeye En Kadhali (2011)
Dubbing artist Aandavan (2000) - Rajinikanth
Web series +YearTitle Role Network2022Paper RocketDevarajanZEE52026Local TimesAasiriyar ChelladuraiAmazon Prime Video
References
External links
BigFlix
Fielding on a comic track – The Hindu The ones who made a mark – The Hindu Sushma Multimedia