Jiiva
Jiiva is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Jiiva began their career in 2003 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 23 years. With 30 credits to their name, Jiiva remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 20+ years, Jiiva's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
Biography
Jiiva is an Indian film actor who predominantly appears in Tamil films. Son of film producer R. B. Choudry, he started his career as a child actor in his father's films in 1996.\r\n\r\nHe performed his first lead role in the 2003 romantic film Aasai Aasaiyai, before rising to fame with his breakthrough performance in Raam (2005), for which he won the Best Actor Award at the Cyprus International Film Festival. Since, he became known for his versatility, essaying distinctly different roles in his subsequent films, such as a stuntman in Dishyum (2006), a slum dweller in E (2006) and a psychopath in Kattradhu Thamizh (2007).
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Lead acting debut in Tamil cinema
Breakthrough role as an eccentric teenager, critical and audience acclaim
View film →Won Best Actor Award at Cyprus International Film Festival — only second Tamil actor after Sivaji Ganesan to receive this honour
View film →Major commercial success with romantic comedy, cemented mass appeal
View film →Bollywood debut portraying cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth in Kabir Khan's cricket drama
Iconic Roles
Raam
An eccentric teenager later revealed to be autistic, obsessively devoted to his mother and entangled in a murder mystery. Jiiva won Best Actor at the Cyprus International Film Festival for this role — an honor previously held only by Sivaji Ganesan among Tamil actors.
Kattradhu Thamizh
A disillusioned, intellectually driven young man who spirals into frustration with society. Widely regarded as one of Jiiva's most intense and critically celebrated performances, now considered a cult Tamil film.
Siva Manasula Sakthi
A charming, comedic romantic lead whose pairing with Santhanam became iconic in Tamil cinema. The film achieved cult status as one of the best Tamil romantic comedies and launched the beloved Jiiva–Santhanam duo.
Ko
A sharp, fearless photographer who exposes political corruption through his lens. Critics praised Jiiva's effervescent energy and physical commitment to the role, calling it a career-defining mainstream performance.
Nanban
Tamil adaptation of Sharman Joshi's role from 3 Idiots, appearing alongside Vijay in one of the most expensive Tamil productions at the time. The role brought Jiiva into a massive mainstream ensemble.
Defining Moments
The eccentric 17-year-old debut performance — a raw, youthful energy that established Jiiva as a natural screen presence in his very first lead role
Won him an award at the Cyprus International Film Festival — making him only the second Tamil actor after Sivaji Ganesan to win there. Launched his career and signalled unusual range for a debutant.
View film →'Risk' Bhaskar's action-comedy swagger — a fast-talking, street-smart character whose bravado and comic energy drove the film's entertainment value
An early commercial outing that showcased Jiiva's ability to carry mass-entertainer roles with natural charisma, building the fanbase that made his subsequent hits possible.
View film →Prabhakar's psychological breakdown — the Tamil teacher erupting against a corrupt, English-obsessed system after years of humiliation and financial despair, culminating in a shocking final act
Universally cited as the performance of his lifetime. Jiiva grew a full beard, underwent therapy to exit the role, and the film became a cult classic. Critics called his arc through dimensions of mental collapse 'frankly amazing' — it remains the definitive benchmark of his acting range.
View film →Siva's one-sided love arc — his comic timing and romantic chemistry as a lovesick young man secretly pining for Sakthi, particularly the roast and chase scenes with Santhanam
Became one of the most beloved Tamil romantic comedies of the 2000s and a cult rom-com. Jiiva's effortless comic charm here is still frequently clipped and shared online, cementing his status as a mass-friendly romantic hero.
View film →Ashwin's fearless photojournalism — capturing incriminating political evidence in near-impossible situations and driving the investigative thriller to its suspense-filled climax
Ko was the biggest commercial hit of his career (blockbuster, TOI Best Film 2011). Critics noted his 'trademark effervescence' elevated the role; the film redefined his star image as an action-thriller lead.
View film →Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →
Did You Know?
Jiiva is the son of veteran Tamil film producer R.B. Choudary, founder of the production company Super Good Films.
He made his debut as a child actor in the 1991 film 'Aanazhagan', produced by his father.
His first lead role was in the 2003 romantic film 'Aasai Aasaiyai'.
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance in the 2006 film 'E'.
He is known for his dancing skills and has performed in many popular dance numbers in Tamil cinema.
Photos
See all →
News & Stories
Latest photos of Celebrity photographs.
23/1/2020
Jiiva Recent Images.
12/1/2019
Jiiva's Gorilla starts shooting in Chennai with huge sets
21/5/2018
Jiiva with a chimpanzee in Thailand for a shoot
19/4/2018
Jiiva join hands with National Award winning director
6/2/2018
Legacy & Influence
Jiiva, born Amar Choudary, represents a significant bridge between the commercial and artistic streams of contemporary Tamil cinema. The son of veteran producer R. B. Choudary, he entered the industry with a unique insider's perspective, which he has leveraged to build a diverse and respected career. While his early lead roles in films like 'Aasai Aasaiyai' (2003) and 'Raam' (2005) established him as a promising romantic lead, it was his daring choice of scripts that truly defined his contribution. His performance in the gritty, experimental thriller 'E' (2006) showcased his ability to handle complex, morally ambiguous characters, earning him critical acclaim and demonstrating a willingness to push mainstream boundaries. This was followed by the powerful 'Kattradhu Thamizh' (2007), where his portrayal of a disillusioned postgraduate student grappling with societal inequities was widely praised for its raw intensity. These roles cemented his reputation as an actor unafraid of challenging material, capable of delivering performances that resonated with both critics and a segment of the audience seeking substance. His career trajectory also includes successful commercial ventures like the friendship-centric 'Nanban' (2012), a Tamil remake of '3 Idiots', which showcased his reliable and affable screen presence to a massive audience. More recently, his portrayal of cricketer Kris Srikkanth in the Hindi sports biopic '83' (2021) introduced him to a pan-Indian audience, highlighting his versatility and commitment to his craft. Jiiva's legacy lies in his consistent effort to balance mass appeal with artistic integrity. He has navigated his career without being typecast, moving seamlessly between intense character studies, romantic dramas, and commercial entertainers. By choosing roles that often carry a strong social or emotional core, he has contributed to the evolution of the Tamil film hero into a more nuanced and relatable figure. His filmography serves as a testament to the possibility of a star-actor hybrid in modern Indian cinema.