Kumaresan Duraisamy (born 2 December 1963), known professionally by his stage name Napoleon, is an Indian actor, entrepreneur and former politician.[1] He was the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet. He has acted predominantly in Tamil films apart from some Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English movies.[2]
Early and personal life
Napoleon was born as Kumaresan Duraisamy on 2 December 1963 in Tiruchirappali. He graduated from St. Joseph's College, Trichy.[3]
In 1993, he married Jayasudha and had two sons: Dhanoosh and Gunal. Dhanoosh was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, which eventually prompted Napoleon and his family to move to America.[4] Gunal directed the music video for the local LA-based band affengriffon's "I Just Wanna See You".[5]
Career
Politics
Napoleon became enthused by the ideologies of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party. He joined the party in which his uncle K. N. Nehru was already a member and at that time the Public Welfare Minister of the state government.[6]
Napoleon contested the State Assembly elections of 2001, winning the Villivakkam constituency contest and thereby becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu.[7] He lost his membership in the 2006 elections, when he contested from the Mylapore constituency and was defeated by actor S. Ve. Shekhar. Subsequently, Napoleon nurtured the Perambalur constituency in the hope of becoming a member of parliament for the DMK and succeeded in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. He was then appointed Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in Union government. Seen as a loyalist of Azhagiri, he was sidelined by DMK after the expulsion of the latter from the party in 2014. He joined the BJP in the presence of party President Amit Shah on 21 December 2014. He was made the party's state vice-president on 26 November 2015.[8]
Films
He entered the Tamil film industry in 1991 with Bharathiraja's rural film Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, playing the antagonist role. After the success of Ejamaan (1993), Napoleon went on to play the villain to great effect in Malayalam and Telugu cinema too. He has been praised for his performance and acting in the Malayalam movie Devasuram (1993). Napoleon turned hero on-screen too with Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) in which he played an anti-hero. After that film, Pratap Pothen gave Seevalaperi Pandi (1994). That film turned out to be a hit.[9] He was awarded Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his performance in Ettupatti Rasa (1997).
In 1998, he was awarded the Kalaimamani and MGR Award. From 2000 to 2006, he was appointed as the vice-president of the South Indian Film Artistes Association.
Later after years into film industry, he also got the chance to work as a supporting actor in popular movies such as Pokkiri (2007) and Dasavathaaram (2008).[10]
Though he settled in Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America, at the insistence of the industry stalwarts, he made his acting comeback with Kidaari (2016). He then went on to portray Gautham Karthik's father in Muthuramalingam (2017) replacing Karthik.[11][12]
After making his Hollywood debut in the supernatural thriller, Devil's Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge (2019), he was seen in another American independent film titled Christmas Coupon (2019). Napoleon also announced that he is the only Tamil actor, who had acted in a Hollywood film, which was completely shot in the US.[13]
Entrepreneurship
Nepoleon Duraisamy forayed into IT Entrepreneurship and kick started "Jeevan Technologies" IT operations in Chennai, India in the year 2000.[14]
Social entrepreneurship
In 2010, Napoleon established Myopathy Unit of Jeevan Foundation, the Institute for Muscular Dystrophy & Research Center. It is a non-profit organization registered under the Tamil Nadu Trust Act.[15][16]
Achievements and awards
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Ettupatti Rasa (1997)
- Kalaimamani and MGR Award (1998)
- Vice-president of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association (2000–2006)
- Murasoli Trust "Kalaignar" Award, which is given to people who contribute to Tamil language, literature and culture (2007).
Filmography
Tamil films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu | Shankaralingam | |
| MGR Nagaril | John Peter | ||
| 1992 | Chinna Thayee | Chamundi | |
| Bharathan | C.I.D. Johnson | ||
| Nadodi Thendral | Swamikannu | ||
| Oor Mariyadhai | Veerapandi | ||
| Idhu Namma Bhoomi | Mirasudar | ||
| Mudhal Seethanam | Devi Meenakshi's uncle | ||
| Thalaivasal | Chandran | ||
| Pangali | |||
| Abhirami | Mr. Dhilip Kumar | Guest appearance | |
| 1993 | Captain Magal | Robert Royappa | |
| Pudhu Piravi | |||
| Yejaman | Vallavarayan | ||
| Minmini Poochigal | Victor | ||
| Munarivippu | Ranjith | ||
| Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan | Guru Subramaniam | ||
| Nallathe Nadakkum | Vikraman | ||
| Dharma Seelan | Omer Sheriff | ||
| Maravan | Shankarapandiyan | ||
| Periyamma | |||
| Enga Muthalali | Jayaraman | ||
| Kizhakku Cheemayile | Shivanadi | Cinema Express Award for Best Villain | |
| 1994 | Seevalaperi Pandi | Pandi | Debut as Hero |
| Maindhan | Velayudam Pillai | ||
| Pudhupatti Ponnuthayi | |||
| Thozhar Pandian | Thaamaraiselvan | ||
| Thamarai | Thamarai | ||
| Mani Rathnam | Rathnam | ||
| Vanaja Girija | Anand | ||
| 1995 | Rajamuthirai | Markandeyan | |
| Muthu Kaalai | Sakthivel | ||
| Chinna Mani | Duraisamy Thevar | ||
| En Pondatti Nallava | Rajappa | ||
| Thamizhachi | Rasayya | ||
| Asuran | Matthaiya | ||
| Aakaya Pookkal | Suriya | ||
| Maa Manithan | Nagu | ||
| 1996 | Thayagam | Pilot | |
| Musthaffaa | Musthaffaa | ||
| Puthiya Parasakthi | Rajadurai | ||
| Rajali | Rajali | ||
| 1997 | Ettupatti Rasa | Singarasu | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize, Also singer for song "Ettupatti Rasa" |
| 1998 | Kizhakkum Merkkum | Suryamurthy | |
| Bhagavath Singh | Bhagavath Singh | ||
| 1999 | Maya | Pratap | Dubbed in Telugu as Gurupoornima |
| Ethirum Pudhirum | Arasappan | ||
| Suyamvaram | Krishna | ||
| Ponvizha | Bharathi | ||
| Sivan | Murugan | ||
| 2000 | Karisakattu Poove | Kottai Sami | |
| Manu Neethi | Muthazhagu | ||
| 2001 | Kalakalappu | Veluthambi | |
| Veettoda Mappillai | Manikkam | ||
| Mitta Miraasu | Singa Perumal | ||
| 2002 | Thenkasi Pattanam | Dass | |
| 2004 | Virumaandi | Nallama Nayakkar | |
| Adi Thadi | Surya | ||
| Remote | Deenadayalu | ||
| 2005 | Ayya | Madasamy | |
| Veeranna | Mariappan, Veeranna | ||
| 2006 | Vattaram | Gurupadam | |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Mohammed Mohideen Khan IPS | |
| 2008 | Sandai | Kamaraj | |
| Dasavathaaram | Kulothunga Chola II | ||
| Aayutham Seivom | ACP Elumalai | ||
| 2009 | Azhagar Malai | Pandithurai | |
| 2011 | Ponnar Shankar | Thalaiyoor Kaali | |
| 2016 | Kidaari | Kottur Durai | |
| 2017 | Muthuramalingam | Mookiah Thevar | |
| Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2 | Prabakaran | ||
| 2018 | Seema Raja | Ariya Raja | |
| 2021 | Sulthan | Sethupathi | |
| 2022 | Anbarivu | Muniyandi | |
| 2023 | Vallavanukkum Vallavan | Minister | |
Other language films
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Devasuram | Mundakal Shekaran | Malayalam | |
| Kunthi Puthrudu | Sambasivudu | Telugu | ||
| 1994 | Hello Brother | Mithra | ||
| Gandheevam | Vincent | Malayalam | ||
| 1998 | Government | Deva | Kannada | Dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as Government |
| 1999 | Jayasurya | Pratap | ||
| Billa Ranga | Ranga | |||
| Rowdy Brothers | ||||
| 2000 | The Warrant | Ravi Ramakrishnan | Malayalam | Dubbed into Tamil as The Warrant |
| The Gang | Kevin | |||
| Rayalaseema Ramanna Chowdary | Jadadhari Swamiji | Telugu | ||
| 2001 | Megasandesam | Fr. Rossario | Malayalam | Dubbed into Tamil as Rosi |
| Ravana Prabhu | Mundakkal Sekharan | |||
| 2002 | Kanal Kireedam | Albin | Dubbed into Tamil as Mary Albert | |
| 2008 | Krishnarjuna | Nallama Nayakkar | Telugu | |
| 2009 | Oy! | Dr. Harish Chandra Prasad | ||
| Saleem | Singamanaidu | |||
| 2018 | Sharabha | Kartavaryudu | ||
| 2019 | Devil's Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge | Dr. Kadhir | English | |
| Christmas Coupon | Agent Kumar | |||
| 2022 | One More Dream | School Principal | Also executive producer | |
| Meathead | N/a | Short film; producer[17] | ||
| 2024 | Trap City | Nathan | ||
- As singer
| Year | Film | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | En Pondatti Nallava | "Ponnu Kulla" | |
| 1999 | Ettupatti Rasa | "Ettupatti Rasa" | |
| 2005 | Veeranna | "Veeranna" | |
References
- ↑ Manoj, CG (29 May 2009). "After MLA napoleon ready for real power". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ↑ "INTERVIEW | Actor Napoleon on his Hollywood debut film 'Devil's Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge'". The New Indian Express. 7 July 2020. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ "Illustrious alumni/ae". St. Joseph's College, Trichy. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ↑ "Napoleon's son wedding in Japan grabs attention: Know how much did the actor spent on the marriage?". Asianet Newsable.
- ↑ "Alumni filmmakers revitalize flicks with eccentric style and classic references". Daily Bruin.
- ↑ "Napolean Calls Uncle the Reason Behind Quitting DMK". The New Indian Express. 28 December 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ "DMK Leader and Former Union Minister Napoleon Joins BJP". NDTV. IANS. 21 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ Siva, CG (26 November 2015). "தமிழக பாஜக துணைத் தலைவராக நடிகர் நெப்போலியன் நியமனம்". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ↑ Sekhar, Arunkumar (19 December 2017). "A villain is what I call an 'edhir naayagan': Napoleon, a veteran Tamil actor who almost quit acting". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ↑ "Napoleon". Nettv4u. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ Suganth, M. (29 November 2016). "In the US, my son leads a normal life: Napoleon". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ↑ Suganth, M. (7 September 2016). "How Napoleon became Gautham's father!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ↑ "Actor Napoleon plays a sports agent in his second Hollywood project, Christmas Coupon". Cinema Express. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ "Management Team". Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ "Mayopathy". Jeevan Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ↑ "Mayopathy". actornapoleon.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ "MEATHEAD | Jilted Generation". 23 October 2022 – via YouTube.