Natraj
Natraj is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Natraj began their career in 2006 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 20 years. With 30 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.3, Natraj remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 20+ years, Natraj's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 55
Biography
Natarajan Subramaniam, known professionally as Natty, is an Indian actor and cinematographer who works primarily in Tamil cinema, recognized for his con-artist roles and offbeat character performances. He gained widespread attention with his lead role as Gandhi Babu in Sathuranka Vettai (2014), a Tamil heist-comedy directed by N. Rajasekar, where he played a career con man opposite Trisha Krishnan. Before acting, he trained as a still photographer and worked as a cinematographer in both Hindi films (including Jab We Met and Raanjhanaa) and Tamil productions. He continued building his acting career with supporting and character roles in films such as Richie (2017), Namma Veettu Pillai (2019), and Sandimuni (2020).
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →Highest rated: Sathuranka Vettai (7.4)
View film →Iconic Roles
Sathuranga Vettai
A charismatic and cunning conman who leads a pyramid scheme.
God Father
A key supporting role in the political drama.
Muthukku Muthaaga
His debut acting role in the film.
Defining Moments
Acting Debut
Made his debut as an actor in the Tamil film 'Muthukku Muthaaga'.
Breakthrough Performance
Received critical acclaim and wider recognition for his role as Gandhi Babu in 'Sathuranga Vettai'.
Natraj by the Numbers
If you watched every Natraj film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 1 day and 8h. Most-paired with Ilavarasu — 3 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 6 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Natraj.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Natraj has worked most frequently with Udayabanu Maheshwaran (2 films), Ilavarasu (3 films), Oviya (2 films), Singampuli (2 films), and Yogi Babu (2 films).
Did You Know?
He is a trained cinematographer who graduated from the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu (FTIT).
He made his acting debut in the Tamil film 'Muthukku Muthaaga' (2011).
His performance as Gandhi Babu in 'Sathuranga Vettai' (2014) was widely praised and brought him recognition.
He has worked as a cinematographer on several Tamil and Telugu films.
He is often credited as Natty or Natraj in films.
Legacy & Influence
Natraj, born Natarajan Subramanian, has carved a distinct niche in Indian cinema through a dual career as a cinematographer and a character actor. His primary and foundational contribution lies in his work behind the camera, where his visual storytelling has shaped numerous films across Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu industries. As a cinematographer, he is known for crafting imagery that supports narrative tone, from gritty realism to polished commercial aesthetics, demonstrating versatility across genres. His parallel journey in front of the camera, though selective, has been impactful. He achieved significant recognition for his portrayal of the cunning conman Gandhi Babu in the critically acclaimed Tamil film 'Sathuranga Vettai' (2014). This performance showcased his natural acting ability and screen presence, earning him a dedicated following and proving that technical artists can successfully transition to compelling performers. His subsequent acting roles, such as in 'God Father' (2022), have further solidified his position as a reliable and memorable supporting actor. Natraj's career trajectory exemplifies a multifaceted artist who contributes to cinema's visual language while also enriching narratives with his performances. His work bridges technical craftsmanship and artistic performance, inspiring other cinematographers to explore acting and demonstrating the interconnected skills within filmmaking. While not a mainstream star, his respected presence in both domains marks a unique and influential path in contemporary Indian cinema.