Goundamani (born Subramani Karuppaiya) is an Indian film actor and comedian. He is better known for his comic duo partnership in Tamil films with fellow actor Senthil. His real name "Mani" got the "Counter" prefix for his ability to give counter on the spot and off the script on stage and during shooting which eventually evolved into Goundamani as per Bhagyaraj who was writing scripts and title credits for Bharathiraja in his early days during the movie 16 Vayathinile.
While performing roles of a solo comedian in films, he often co-starred with Senthil to form a comedy duo. The pair was described as "Tamil cinema's Laurel and Hardy" and have performed slapstick humour in several Tamil films since the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. After recuperating from diabetes and respiratory illnesses during the late 2000s, he is about to feature in Vaaimai and also play the lead role in 49-O, which began productions in 2013. It is being directed by debutant Arokiadoss, a former assistant of Gautham Vasudev Menon.
The Film 49-O was released on 17 September 2015 and most of the critics gave positive reviews.
He had a successful career that spanned over three decade thanks to his timing and ability to reinvent himself from comedian to character artiste to villain to second hero to comedic duo.
Known For
Chokka Thangam
(2003)
Ponnumani
(1993)
Indian
(1996)
Subbaiyaa
Full Filmography
Acting
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
(1970)
Car Driver
Chakravathi
(1977)
16 Vayathinile
(1977)
Koothu
Kizhakke Pogum Rail
(1978)
Brother-in-Law
Sigappu Rojakkal
(1978)
Manager
Puthiya Vaarpugal
(1979)
Suvarilladha Chiththirangal
(1979)
Kaliyannan
Kallukul Eeram
(1980)
Velu
Saranam Ayyappa
(1980)
Nenjile Thunivirunthal
(1981)
Netrikan
(1981)
Singaram (Chakravarthy's driver)
Andha 7 Naatkal
(1981)
Kudumbam Oru Kadambam
(1981)
Chettiar
Valibamey Vaa Vaa
(1982)
Pakkathu Veetu Roja
(1982)
Anandha Ragam
(1982)
Kaadhal Oviyam
(1982)
Nayanam
Ilanjodigal
(1982)
Aagaaya Gangai
(1982)
Payanangal Mudivathillai
(1982)
house owner
Malaiyoor Mambattiyan
(1983)
Landlord Chinna Pannai
Uyirullavarai Usha
(1983)
Naan Soottiya Malar
(1983)
Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey
(1983)
Thambathigal
(1983)
Naan Paadum Paadal
(1984)
Priyamudan Prabhu
(1984)
Vaidehi Kathirunthal
(1984)
All in All Azhaguraja
Naalai Unathu Naal
(1984)
Varadhan
Unnai Naan Santhithen
(1984)
Pandiya
Eetti
(1985)
Raja Yuvaraja
(1985)
Pagal Nilavu
(1985)
George Kutty
Udhaya Geetham
(1985)
Marudhani
(1985)
Naane Raja Naane Manthiri
(1985)
Kupusamy
Annai Bhoomi 3D
(1985)
Anthasthu
(1985)
Devdas
Kanni Raasi
(1985)
Gopi Krishna
Raman Sriraman
(1985)
Aagaya Thamaraigal
(1985)
Anbin Mugavari
(1985)
Vellai Manasu
(1985)
Idhaya Kovil
(1985)
Japanil Kalyanaraman
(1985)
Naan Ungal Rasigan
(1985)
Alai Osai
(1985)
Dharma Pathni
(1986)
Mannukkul Vairam
(1986)
December Pookal
(1986)
Mayilsamy
Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum
(1986)
Mr. Bharath
(1986)
Sanjeevi
Gramatthu Minnal
(1987)
Idhu Oru Thodarkathai
(1987)
Per Sollum Pillai
(1987)
Ninaivey Oru Sangeedham
(1987)
Poo Pootha Nandhavanam
(1988)
Pen Puthi Mun Puthi
(1988)
Thaaippasam
(1988)
Thiruppu Munai
(1989)
Anbu Kattalai
(1989)
Ninaivu Chinnam
(1989)
Kundalakesi
Ponmana Selvan
(1989)
Hong Kong Annamalai
Enga Ooru Maappilai
(1989)
Karagattakaran
(1989)
Thavil
Enna Petha Raasa
(1989)
Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai
(1989)
Thangamana Raasa
(1989)
Vazhndhu Kattuvom
(1990)
Vazhkai Chakkaram
(1990)
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
(1990)
Sutti Josiyar
Nadigan
(1990)
Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu
(1990)
Paattukku Naan Adimai
(1990)
Velai Kidaichuruchu
(1990)
My Dear Marthandan
(1990)
'Idea' Mani
Salem Vishnu
(1990)
Kathavarayan
Brahma
(1991)
Kizhakku Karai
(1991)
Thayamma
(1991)
Sisubalan
Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum
(1991)
Dharmalingam
Pudhu Manidhan
(1991)
Idhaya Vasal
(1991)
Chinna Thambi
(1991)
Cheran Pandiyan
(1991)
Mechanic Maanikkam (motor mechanic)
En Rasavin Manasile
(1991)
Pannaiyar
Thalattu Ketkuthamma
(1991)
Vasanthakala Paravai
(1991)
Therku Theru Machan
(1992)
Ilavarasan
(1992)
Chinna Kounder
(1992)
Pangali
(1992)
Kuyilkunju
Senthamizh Paattu
(1992)
Muthal Seethanam
(1992)
Mannan
(1992)
Muthu
Singaravelan
(1992)
Drums Mani
Kottai Vaasal
(1992)
Villu Pattukaran
(1992)
Appakannu
Oor Mariyadhai
(1992)
Thanga Manasukkaran
(1992)
Guitarist
Chinnavar
(1992)
Idhuthanda Sattam
(1992)
Karuppan
Paandi Durai
(1992)
Thirumathi Palanisamy
(1992)
Dhandapani
Onna Irukku Kathukanom
(1992)
Suriyan
(1992)
Panikutti Ramasamy
Samundi
(1992)
Chinna Pasanga Naanga
(1992)
Govind
Dhuruva Natchathiram
(1993)
Band Master
(1993)
Manikuyil
(1993)
Kattabomman
(1993)
Subramani
I Love India
(1993)
Diwakar's uncle
Kovil Kaalai
(1993)
Yejaman
(1993)
Vellaiyangiri
Chinna Jameen
(1993)
Thalayari Mama
Uzhaippali
(1993)
Lawyer's P.A
Ponnumani
(1993)
Udan Pirappu
(1993)
Vellasamy
Gentleman
(1993)
Mani
Maharasan
(1993)
Govindan
Walter Vetrivel
(1993)
Royal Ramasamy
Amma Ponnu
(1993)
Dharma Seelan
(1993)
Thai Maaman
(1994)
Nila
(1994)
Sadhu
(1994)
Aranmanai Kaavalan
(1994)
Thangamani
Jai Hind
(1994)
Kottaisamy
Vandicholai Chinraasu
(1994)
Kittu
Periya Marudhu
(1994)
Vietnam Colony
(1994)
Joseph
Sethupathi I.P.S
(1994)
Seeman
(1994)
Rajakumaran
(1994)
Nattamai
(1994)
Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana
(1994)
Anja Singam Maruthupandi
Maaman Magal
(1995)
Karnaa
(1995)
Muthu Kulikka Vaarieyala
(1995)
Chinna Vathiyar
(1995)
Josiyar
Villadhi Villain
(1995)
Mani
Periya Kudumbam
(1995)
Lucky Man
(1995)
Muthu Kaalai
(1995)
Ragasiya Police
(1995)
Coolie
(1995)
Nadodi Mannan
(1995)
Veluchami
(1995)
Kathavarayan
Ayudha Poojai
(1995)
Raja enga Raja
(1995)
Murai Maman
(1995)
Perusu
Murai Mappillai
(1995)
Ramesh
Mr. Madras
(1995)
Govindsamy
Chakravarthy
(1995)
Chinnappa
Tata Birla
(1996)
Ranjith
Metukudi
(1996)
Katta Panchayathu
(1996)
Poovarasan
(1996)
Coimbatore Mappillai
(1996)
Gopal
Parambarai
(1996)
Maha Prabhu
(1996)
Indian
(1996)
Subbaiyaa
Senathipathi
(1996)
Kathavarayan
Musthaffaa
(1996)
Ullathai Allitha
(1996)
Vasu
Vallal
(1997)
Rettai Jadai Vayasu
(1997)
Vijay´s Uncle
Pudhayal
(1997)
Nesam
(1997)
Thedinen Vandhadhu
(1997)
Tamizhmani / 'Pollachi' Ponnusamy
Sishya
(1997)
Janakiraman
(1997)
Periya Thambi
(1997)
Azhagu Sundaram
Periya Idathu Mappillai
(1997)
Kaali
Aahaa Enna Porutham
(1997)
Thaayin Manikodi
(1998)
Aval Varuvala
(1998)
Dhandabani
En Uyir Nee Thaane
(1998)
Ethirum Pudhirum
(1999)
Auto Driver
Kadhalar Dhinam
(1999)
Romeo
Malabar Police
(1999)
Suriya Paarvai
(1999)
Azhagarsamy
(1999)
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga
(1999)
Kundalagesi
Kannaal Pesavaa
(2000)
Veeranadai
(2000)
Ulagavaayan
Kannan Varuvaan
(2000)
Thanneermalai / Aadiyapaatham / Ezhumalai
Vedham
(2001)
Samuthiram
(2001)
Ramanathan
Azhagana Naatkal
(2001)
Ranjith
Kunguma Pottu Gounder
(2001)
Chinnasamy
Baba
(2002)
Annamalai
Samasthanam
(2002)
Yes Madam
(2003)
Parasuram
(2003)
Chokka Thangam
(2003)
Manmadhan
(2004)
'Puncture' Pandian
Suyetchai MLA
(2006)
Visky
Thangam
(2008)
Kaalai
Pollachi Mappiley
(2010)
Comedian
Jaggubhai
(2010)
Mani
49-O
(2015)
Savuri
Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu
(2016)
Caravan Krishnan
Vaaimai
(2016)
Benny Quick