S. A. Ashokan
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

S. A. Ashokan, born as Antony and often spelled Asokan, was an Indian actor who worked mainly in
Tamil cinema Tamil cinema is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Tamil language, the main spoken language in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is nicknamed Kollywood, a portmanteau of the names Kodambakkam, a Ch ...
and theatre. He was popular mainly for playing negative roles but was also a successful
character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...
.


Early life

Ashokan was born on 20 May 1931 as Anthony in
Tiruchirapalli Tiruchirappalli (), also known as Trichy, is a major tier II city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli district. The city is credited with being the best livable and the cleanest city of Ta ...
. He showed interest in stage plays and frequently took part in oratorical and writing competitions during his childhood. He finished his B.A. degree at the St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli.


Career

After completing his degree, Anthony met director T. R. Ramanna, who introduced him to the film industry. Anthony changed his name to Ashokan upon Ramanna's request and maintained the same name for life. Ashokan made his acting debut in a minor role in the film '' Avvaiyar''. He was given a positive role in the film ''Penn Kulathin Ponvilakku'' (1959) as an admirer of a woman he considers a sister. He gained the attention of the general public with the film ''
Kappalottiya Thamizhan ''Kappalottiya Thamizhan'' () is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and Savitri. It is based on the 1944 book of the same name by M. P. Si ...
'' in 1961, where he portrayed the role of Collector
Ash Ash is the solid remnants of fires. Specifically, ''ash'' refers to all non-aqueous, non- gaseous residues that remain after something burns. In analytical chemistry, to analyse the mineral and metal content of chemical samples, ash is the ...
. Later films which featured him in the lead were, however, moderately successful. Active mostly in the 1960s and 1970s, he acted mainly in villainous roles and did
character roles A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, ...
opposite many leading actors of those times. Ashokan's performance as a helpless traveller who gets conned in ''Vallavanukku Vallavan'', and as the historical Indian character
Duryodhana Duryodhana (, Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ̪ʊɾjoËd̪ʱən̪ᵊ ), also known as Suyodhana, is the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata.'' He is the eldest of the Kaurava, Kauravas, the hundred sons of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gan ...
in the mythology film '' Karnan'' were well received. He was regularly cast in supporting roles as an elder brother, father or father-in-law, or the main villain in 59 films with
M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initialism M.G.R. and as Makkal Thilagam/Puratchi Thalaivar, was an Indian actor, politician, and philanthropist who served as the chief minister of ...
in the lead role, right from ''Baghdad Thirudan'' in 1960 to ''Ninaithadhai Mudippavan'' in 1975. Some of the popular films with MGR – S. A. Ashokan combination are ''Arasilangkumari, Thaai Sollai Thattadhe, Thayai Katha Thanayan, Kudumba Thalaivan, Panathottam, Koduthu Vaithaval, Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum, Periya Idathu Penn, Anandha Jodhi, Panakkara Kudumbam, Needhikkuppin Paasam, Kaanchi Thalaivan, Vettaikaaran (1964 film), Dheiva Thaai, Thozhilali, Panam Padaithavan, Kanni Thaai, Thazhampoo, Anbe Vaa, Mugaraasi, Chandhrodhayam, Thaali Bhagyam, Thanipiravi, Parakkum Paavai, Petralthan Pillaiya, Thaikku Thalaimagan, Arasa Kattalai, Kaavalkaaran (1967 film), Vivasayee, Ragasiya Police 115, Thaer Thiruvizha, Kannan En Kadhalan, Oli Vilakku, Kanavan, Kadhal Vaaganam, Adimaippenn, Nam Naadu (1969 film), Maattukara Velan, En Annan, Thalaivan (1970 film),
Thedi Vandha Mappillai ''Thedi Vandha Mappillai'' () is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, S. A. Ashokan, Major Sundarrajan, M. V. Rajamma and Cho Ramaswamy . It is a remake o ...
, Engal Thangam, Kumari Kottam, Rickshawkaran, Neerum Neruppum, Oru Thaai Makkal, Sange Muzhangu, Nalla Neram, Raman Thediya Seethai (1972 film), Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, Pattikaattu Ponnaiya, '' Netru Indru Naalai'' and ''Ninaithadhai Mudippavan''. His performance as Professor Bhairavan in the
M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initialism M.G.R. and as Makkal Thilagam/Puratchi Thalaivar, was an Indian actor, politician, and philanthropist who served as the chief minister of ...
-starrer ''
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban ''Ulagam Sutrum Valiban'' () is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language science fiction film directed and co-produced by M. G. Ramachandran. The film stars Ramachandran, Chandrakala, Manjula and Latha. It revolves around a scientist who discovers an en ...
'' was considered a "landmark performance". Some of his other well-known performances include the role of Soorapadman in '' Kandan Karunai'' (1967), an intriguing character role in the
AVM Studios AVM Productions is an Indian film production studio founded by A. V. Meiyappa Chettiar. It is the oldest film studio in India. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai. It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, ...
hit ''
Veera Thirumagan ''Veera Thirumagan'' is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language historical action film, directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar and produced by Murugan Brothers, a subsidiary of AVM Productions. This was the directorial debut for Tirulokchandar. The film stars ...
'', and important roles in ''Attukara Allamelu,
Adimai Penn ''Adimai Penn'' () is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language historical action film directed by K. Shankar and produced by M. G. Ramachandran and R. M. Veerappan. The film stars Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, with Ashokan, Pandari Bai, Rajasree, Mano ...
, Anbe Vaa,
Kaanji Thalaivan ''Kaanchi Thalaivan'' () is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language historical action film, directed by A. Kasilingam and written by M. Karunanidhi. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, S. S. Rajendran, P. Bhanumathi and C. R. Vijayakumari, with M. R. R ...
,
Vivasayee ''Vivasayi'' ( ) is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and K. R. Vijaya, with M. N. Nambiar, S. A. Ashokan, Nagesh and Manoram ...
'' and '' Raman Thediya Seethai''.


Other work

Ashokan also worked as a singer in the film ''
Iravum Pagalum ''Iravum Pagalum'' () is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film directed by Joseph Thaliath Jr. The film stars then newcomers Jaishankar and C. Vasantha, while S. A. Ashokan, Nagesh, Gandhimathi and Pandari Bai play supporting rol ...
'' for the song "Iranthavanai Somanthavanum." The film also marked actor
Jaishankar Jaishankar may also refer to: * Jaishankar Prasad (1889 – 1937), Indian writer and playwright * Jaishankar (actor) (1938 – 2000), Indian actor * Jaishankar Menon (born 1956), Indian-American computer scientist * Jaishankar Bhojak (1889 – 1 ...
's debut. He introduced filmmaker A. C. Trilokchander to
AVM Studios AVM Productions is an Indian film production studio founded by A. V. Meiyappa Chettiar. It is the oldest film studio in India. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai. It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, ...
, which helped the filmmaker make his mark. Ashokan, along with Jaishankar, and a troupe of popular artists, often toured all over
Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
to conduct cultural programs.


Personal life

Ashokan was married to Mary Gnanam (originally named Saraswathi). They had two sons, including
Vincent Asokan Vincent Asokan is an Indian actor who has predominantly appeared in Tamil language films. Personal life Vincent is the son of actor S. A. Ashokan. He is married and has two sons. Career Vincent Asokan made his debut in director A. Venkate ...
, who is also an actor.


Filmography

''This is a partial filmography. You can expand it.''


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ashokan, S. A. 1982 deaths Indian male film actors Indian male voice actors 20th-century Indian male actors Tamil male actors Male actors in Tamil cinema Male actors from Tiruchirappalli St Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli alumni 1931 births