Skip to content
Dhaamu profile photo

Dhaamu

Dhaamu is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Dhaamu began their career in 1992 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 34 years. With 30 credits to their name, Dhaamu remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 30+ years, Dhaamu's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.

Born
Age
60
30+Known Credits
4.3Avg Rating
veteranCareer Phase

Biography

Dhaamu (real name Tamarai Bharani, also known as A.V. Dhamodaran) is a Tamil comedian, mimicry artist, and actor who worked in Tamil cinema from 1991 to 2014, primarily in supporting and comic roles. He is recognized for his appearances in major commercial hits including Baashha (1995) alongside Rajinikanth, Ghilli (2004) where he played the character 'Otteri Nari' opposite Vijay, and Villu (2009). Before films, he was part of the Gaana Galata Group comedy troupe, and his background in mimicry and stage comedy shaped his screen persona. After stepping back from mainstream cinema, he founded the Tamarai Bharani Comedy Agency and served as an anchor on Sun TV's Comedy Kalakkal.

Career Milestones

1992

Film debut in Tamil cinema

View film →
1995

Breakthrough role in Rajinikanth blockbuster

View film →
2004

Iconic comic role as Otteri Nari in Vijay blockbuster

View film →

Iconic Roles

Otteri Nari2004

Ghilli

A street-smart comedic character that elevated Dhamu from supporting performer to a recognizable comedic presence in Tamil cinema; widely cited as his most memorable role.

Dhamu1995

Baashha

An early supporting role in the Rajinikanth blockbuster that helped establish Dhamu's presence in mainstream Tamil films.

VJ2009

Villu

A comedic supporting character in the Vijay-starrer, continuing Dhamu's pattern of comic relief roles in major Tamil productions.

Defining Moments

1992

Playing Dhamu, Vijay's loyal and bumbling friend, providing comic relief in a revenge-drama setting

One of his earliest film appearances alongside a then-newcomer Vijay, establishing his screen chemistry with the star that would continue across multiple films

View film →
1995

Supporting comic role in Rajinikanth's action blockbuster Baashha as Dhamu

Appearing in one of Tamil cinema's most iconic Rajinikanth films gave Dhamu wide audience exposure and cemented his status as a reliable comedic supporting actor

View film →
2004

Otteri Nari — comic sidekick antics alongside Vijay's Velu, delivering exaggerated street-smart humor and catchphrases throughout the film

The role that elevated Dhamu from a supporting mimicry performer to a widely recognized comedic face in Tamil cinema; 'Otteri Nari' became his most-cited character and is closely associated with his legacy

View film →
2009

Comic role as VJ in the Vijay-starrer Villu, contributing to the film's humor sequences

Continued his recurring association with Vijay films, demonstrating his longevity as a trusted comic presence across nearly two decades of Tamil cinema

View film →
The Numbers

Dhaamu by the Numbers

Total Films0
Back-to-back Watch0 hours~estimate
Hit Ratio0%
Yrs Active0
Versatility0/10
Biggest CollaborationVijay3 films together

If you watched every Dhaamu film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 21 hours. Most-paired with Vijay — 3 films together.

Collaboration Network

Collaboration Network

The Constellation

Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Dhaamu.

Dhaamunfilms togetherSee full filmography →

Career Analytics

Language Distribution

Tamil
100%

Films by Decade

4
1990s
4
2000s
1
2010s

Top Co-Actors

See all →

Dhaamu has worked most frequently with Vijay (3 films), Pandu (3 films), Anandaraj (3 films), Janagaraj (3 films), and Nayantara (2 films).

Vijay
VijayActor
Frequent Co-Stars3 films
Pandu
PanduActor
Frequent Co-Stars3 films
Anandaraj
AnandarajActor
Frequent Co-Stars3 films
Janagaraj
JanagarajActor
Frequent Co-Stars3 films
Nayantara
NayantaraActor
Frequent Co-Stars2 films
Vadivelu
VadiveluActor
Frequent Co-Stars2 films
Vaiyapuri
VaiyapuriActor
Frequent Co-Stars2 films

Did You Know?

1

Dhaamu is a Tamil film actor known for playing supporting roles, often as a friend or sidekick to the protagonist.

2

He is particularly recognized for his role as Dhamu in the blockbuster film 'Baashha' starring Rajinikanth.

3

In the film 'Ghilli', he played the character Otteri Nari, a member of the antagonist's gang.

4

He has frequently collaborated with actor Vijay, appearing in films like 'Jodi' and 'Ghilli'.

5

His role in 'Baashha' is one of his most memorable performances, contributing to the film's cult status.

Legacy & Influence

Dhaamu is a character actor in Tamil cinema, recognized for his distinctive presence and contributions primarily in supporting and antagonistic roles during the late 1990s and 2000s. His career trajectory is defined by collaborations with major stars and directors, often portraying memorable henchmen or comedic villains that added texture to the narratives. His most iconic role remains Dhamu in the blockbuster 'Baashha' (1995), where his portrayal of a loyal but fierce gang member alongside Rajinikanth became etched in popular memory, contributing to the film's enduring cult status. This role established his screen persona of raw intensity. He later appeared in key commercial successes like 'Ghilli' (2004) as Otteri Nari, a henchman in the antagonist's circle, which further cemented his niche in playing formidable opponents to the protagonist. While not a lead actor, Dhaamu's filmography includes notable projects such as 'Jodi' (1999), 'Piriyadha Varam Vendum' (2001), and 'Ullam Kollai Poguthae' (2001), where he often provided robust support to the ensemble cast. His contribution lies in embodying a specific archetype of the Tamil cinema villain—physically imposing, straightforward, and often with a touch of crude humor—that was prevalent in the mass entertainment films of his era. By consistently delivering in these roles, he helped reinforce the dramatic conflict and enhance the hero's stature, a crucial component of the commercial film formula. His work, though not extensively documented, represents the essential layer of character actors who complete the cinematic world, making the stories more vibrant and credible for audiences.

Frequently Asked Questions