K. Manikandan

K. Manikandan
Born 29 September 1987
Nationality Indian
Occupation(s) Actor, Writer, Director & Former Radio Jockey

K. Manikandan is an Indian film writer, actor and director who works in the Tamil film industry.

Career

Manikandan participated in a popular reality comedy show and finished as the runner-up of the season. Subsequently, he joined an FM channel as a Radio Jockey while also dubbing/voice acting for several films and TV shows.

He debuted as a writer with Pizza II: Villa (2013). He made his acting debut with India Pakistan (2015) and played a minor role in the Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum (2016) directed by Nalan Kumarasamy. Manikandan then played an antagonist in Sri Ganesh's debut directorial venture 8 Thottakkal (2017) alongside M. S. Bhaskar and Lallu. He penned the dialogues for Pushkar–Gayathri's third directorial venture Vikram Vedha (2017) and also played a role of a police constable in the film. In 2018, Pa. Ranjith picked Manikandan for a role in Kaala (2018). Manikandan was involved in Viswasam (2019) Thambi (2019), directed by Siva and Jeethu Joseph respectively, as a dialogue writer. He paired with Nivedithaa Sathish in the romantic anthology film Sillu Karupatti (2019), directed by Halitha Shameem. Manikandan received critical acclaim for his role in the film, Aelay (2021).

Manikandan directed an independent film Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaritham (English Title: Endless) starring Delhi Ganesh and himself. The film was selected to participate in Bengaluru International Film Festival (2016) under ‘Indian Cinema Competition’. Endless was one of the four films to be selected for screening at 16th New York Indian Film Festival (2016).

He played the role of Rajakannu in the film Jai Bhim (2021) and won critical acclaim for his portrayal. He played the lead role in movie Good Night (2023) which became an audience favourite.

Filmography

As actor

Year Film Role Notes
2013 Pizza II: Villa Himself Uncredited Appearance
2015 India Pakistan Mani
2015 Indru Netru Naalai Film Director
2016 Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum Murali
2017 8 Thottakkal Jai
Vikram Vedha Santhanam Behindwoods Gold Medal - Best Dialogue Writer
2018 Kaala Lenin
2019 Sillu Karuppatti Mukhilan
2020 Paava Kadhaigal Driver Released on Netflix
2021 Aelay Paarthi Released on Star Vijay & Netflix
Netrikann Manikandan Released on Disney+ Hotstar
Jai Bhim Rajakannu Released on Amazon Prime Video;

Behindwoods Gold Medal - Best Actor Critics Choice

2022 Narai Ezhudhum Suyasaridham Manikandan Directing debut; completed in 2016
Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal Rajasekar
2023 Good Night Mohan Lead role
2024 Lover Arun Lead role

Web series

Year Film Role Platform Notes
2023 Shaitan Naxalite Disney+ Hotstar Telugu series
Mathagam Padalam Sekhar

Other roles

Year Film Credited as Notes
Writer Director
2013 Pizza II: Villa Green tick Red X
2017 Vikram Vedha Green tick Red X Behindwoods Gold Medal - Best Dialogue Writer
2019 Viswasam Green tick Red X
Thambi Green tick Red X
2022 Narai Ezhudhum Suyasaridham Green tick Green tick Directing debut; completed in 2016
Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal Green tick Red X
2024 Ayalaan Green tick Red X