
Mahesh
Mahesh is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Mahesh began their career in 1983. With 30 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.3, Mahesh remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 40+ years, Mahesh's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
Biography
Mahesh is an Indian film actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made his debut in the 2010 film, Angadi Theru, directed by Vasanthabalan.
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →Highest rated: Angaadi Theru (7.7)
View film →Iconic Roles
Angadi Theru
A young man from a village who starts working as a salesboy in a large Chennai textile showroom, depicting the hardships and exploitation faced by workers.
Defining Moments
Debut in 'Angadi Theru'
His debut performance in the critically and commercially successful film 'Angadi Theru' brought him recognition and acclaim.
Cannes Film Festival Selection
His debut film 'Angadi Theru' was selected for screening at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant international exposure early in his career.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →








Career Analytics
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
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Did You Know?
Mahesh made his acting debut in the critically acclaimed Tamil film 'Angadi Theru' (2010), directed by Vasanthabalan.
His debut film 'Angadi Theru' was screened at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section.
He played a lead role in the 2013 Tamil film 'Karumpuli', which was a horror thriller.
He starred in the 2015 Tamil anthology horror film 'Iravum Pagalum Varum', directed by Suseenthiran.
Mahesh is known for his naturalistic acting style, particularly in his debut film which depicted the harsh realities of salespeople in a large textile market.
Legacy & Influence
Mahesh is recognized in the Tamil film industry for his impactful debut in the critically acclaimed 2010 film 'Angadi Theru' (also listed as 'Angaadi Theru'), directed by Vasanthabalan. The film, a stark portrayal of the hardships faced by salespeople in a large Chennai textile market, was noted for its realistic narrative and strong performances. Mahesh's role, though his character name is not widely documented, was integral to the film's raw and authentic feel, which earned it significant praise and a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. His subsequent films, such as 'Karumpuli' (2013) and 'Iravum Pagalum Varum' (2015), did not achieve the same level of critical or commercial success, with lower audience ratings indicating a more limited reach. His career trajectory illustrates a path not uncommon in Indian cinema, where a powerful debut establishes an actor's potential, but consistent mainstream success can be elusive. Mahesh's primary contribution lies in his association with 'Angadi Theru', a film that remains an important work in the genre of Tamil social realism for its unflinching look at urban working-class life. Through this film, he contributed to a narrative style that prioritizes authentic representation over commercial glamour, influencing perceptions of storytelling within the industry. However, due to a relatively limited filmography and lower public profile following his debut, his broader influence on the industry or subsequent generations of actors is not extensively documented. His legacy is thus intrinsically tied to a single, significant film that continues to be referenced in discussions about realistic Tamil cinema of the early 2010s.