Ranjith (actor)

Ranjith (born 15 November 1972) is an Indian actor and director who appears in Tamil and Malayalam language films.^[3] In 2024, he participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 8 as a contestant.

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."^[4] 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 Telugu 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.^[5] 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.^[6]

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.^[7]

In 2024, he participated in the reality television series Bigg Boss 8 as a contestant.^[8] He was later evicted from the show on day 77 at 13th place.^[9]

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.^[10] In July 2018, Ranjith left the AIADMK and joined the Pattali Makkal Katchi as the new deputy leader of the party.^[11] 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 general secretary T. T. V. Dhinakaran and joined the party officially.^[12]

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.^[13] He later retracted his statement, saying that he "oppose[s] all forms of killing".^[14]

• Manoj Bharathiraja – Kadal Pookkal (2001)