Sathyaraj, born Rangaraj Subbiah, is a celebrated Indian film actor, producer, and director known for his contributions to Tamil cinema. With a career spanning over four decades, he has played villainous, comedic, and heroic roles, earning widespread recognition.
His portrayal of Kattappa in Baahubali made him a household name across India.
Early Life and Upbringing
Sathyaraj was born on October 3, 1954, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. His father, Subbiah, was a doctor, and his mother, Nathambal, was a homemaker. He grew up with two sisters, Kalpana Mandradiar and Roopa Senapathy.
Despite excelling in history and geography during his school years, Sathyaraj was passionate about acting. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Botany from Government Arts College, Coimbatore. However, his mother opposed his dream of joining the film industry. In 1976, he left home and moved to Chennai to pursue acting.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rangaraj Subbiah |
| Nickname | Kattappa |
| Alternative Names(s) | Sathyaraj |
| Date of Birth | 3 October 1954 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 70 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| Hometown | Coimbatore |
| Current Address | N/A |
| Education Qualification | B.Sc. in Botany |
| Hobbies and Interests | Acting, Reading, Politics |
| Languages Known | Tamil, English |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Average |
| Body Measurements | Chest 42, Waist 35, Biceps 14 |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lbs) |
| Chest | 42 inches |
| Waist | 35 inches |
| Biceps | 14 inches |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
| Hairstyle | Semi-bald |
| Distinctive Features | Mustache, Tall stature |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Sathyaraj married Maheswari Sathyaraj in 1979. She is the niece of producer Madampatti Sivakumar. The couple has two children:
- Sibi Sathyaraj – Actor in Tamil cinema.
- Divya Sathyaraj – Nutritionist and goodwill ambassador for The Akshaya Patra Foundation.
His wife, Maheswari, later became a film producer, establishing Nadhambal Film Factory.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Maheswari Sathyaraj |
| Father | Subbiah |
| Mother | Nathambal |
| Children | Sibi Sathyaraj, Divya Sathyaraj |
| Siblings | Kalpana, Roopa Senapathy |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Maheswari Sathyaraj |
| Significant Relationships | Maheswari Sathyaraj |
Rise to Stardom
Sathyaraj began his career with minor roles in Tamil films. His first credited role was in Sattam En Kaiyil (1978). Initially, he played villainous roles, gaining popularity for his performances in:
- Nooravathu Naal (1984)
- Mr. Bharath (1986)
- Kaakki Sattai (1985)
In 1985, he transitioned to lead roles with Saavi. His breakthrough came with Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986), where he played a fisherman, earning critical acclaim.
Sathyaraj – Selfie
Sathyaraj – Debut Film – Sattam En Kaiyil
Sathyaraj – Successful Film – Baahubali: The Beginning
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Sathyaraj has acted in over 200 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema. His notable achievements include:
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards – Best Actor (Periyar, Onbadhu Roobai Nottu)
- Filmfare Awards South – Best Actor (Vedham Pudhithu)
- Vijay Awards – Best Supporting Actor (Baahubali)
- Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award
Apart from acting, he has directed films like Villadhi Villain (1995), where he played three different roles.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, Film Producer, Director |
| Debut Film | Sattam En Kaiyil (1978) |
| Notable Roles | Kattappa (Baahubali), Periyar (Periyar), Manohar (Nanban) |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Radhe Shyam (2022), Theerpugal Virkapadum (2021) |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular Television Series | Home Sweet Home (2011) |
| Awards and Achievements | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, Vijay Awards |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Pothys, Kumaran Jewellery, Susi Emu Farms |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Supports education, social causes |
| Professional Associations | Tamil Film Industry, South Indian Cinema |
| Training and Education | B.Sc. in Botany |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Baahubali, Nanban, Periyar |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Periyar, Onbadhu Roobai Nottu, Baahubali |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $10-12 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | Pothys, Kumaran Jewellery |
| Business Ventures | Real Estate Business |
| Investments | Most parents teach their kids the value of saving and investing |
| Real Estate Holdings | Luxury house in Chennai |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | House |
| Cars Collection | Audi, BMW |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | M.G. Ramachandran, Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Sridevi Kapoor |
| Favorite Film | Prince |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Colour | Red |
| Favorite Food | Sathyaraj Tiffin Centre in Sea Cliff Conclave,Chenna |
| Things s/he like | Acting, Reading, Politics |
| Things s/he dislike | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Sathyaraj
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Baahubali: The Beginning | 2015 | Kattappa |
| Baahubali 2: The Conclusion | 2017 | Kattappa |
| Periyar | 2007 | Periyar E. V. Ramasamy |
| Amaidhi Padai | 1994 | Manivannan |
| Nanban | 2012 | Virumandi Santhanam |
Controversies – Sathyaraj
- Cauvery Water Dispute – Sathyaraj made remarks against Karnataka during a protest, leading to a boycott of Baahubali 2 in Karnataka.
- Superstar Title Controversy – He stated that Rajinikanth would always be the “Superstar,” ending speculation about title disputes.
- Political Statements – His outspoken views on Tamil Nadu politics have sparked debates.
- Baahubali Apology – He apologized for his 2008 remarks to ensure Baahubali 2 was released in Karnataka.
- Social Media Backlash – His comments on Tamil nationalism have led to online criticism.
Interesting Facts – Sathyaraj
- Started as a villain before transitioning to lead roles.
- Played Kattappa in Baahubali, making him famous across India.
- Directed Villadhi Villain, where he played three roles.
- Fan of M.G. Ramachandran and Rajesh Khanna.
- Supports education and social causes.
- Owns a film production company – Nadhambal Film Factory.
Sathyaraj remains one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema. His journey from villain to hero and his impactful performances have made him a legend in Tamil cinema. Despite controversies, his dedication to acting continues to inspire new generations.
