Sathyaraj: From Chennai Express to Baahubali and Beyond

The South Indian film industry is experiencing a surge in popularity, with South Indian movies resonating with audiences globally. This success has also brought recognition to the actors involved, including Sathyaraj. While he is widely recognized for his role as Kattappa in the pan-Indian film Baahubali, which catapulted him to international fame, his career includes a diverse range of roles. Before his Baahubali success, Sathyaraj appeared in Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s Chennai Express, where he portrayed Deepika’s father. His performance in this film was well-received, and he shared the screen with Shah Rukh Khan. Sathyaraj is a significant figure in South Indian cinema, known for making a memorable impact even in supporting roles. He recently played a key role in Rajinikanth’s film Coolie, where he appeared as Rajinikanth’s close friend. Born on October 3, 1954, in Coimbatore, the actor is celebrating his 71st birthday. As a child, he admired M. G. Ramachandran and Rajesh Khanna, and though his mother initially opposed his career aspirations, he pursued his dream and achieved stardom. With a career spanning over 250 films, Sathyaraj has also worked in several Hindi films. His Hindi film debut was in Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express, and he has since appeared in movies like Radhe Shyam, Munja, Sikandar, and the upcoming film Thama with Ayushmann Khurrana.