Biography
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.
Acted in 161
2020s
- 2025
Otha Votu Muthaiya
Movie
2010s
- 2016
Vaaimai
Benny Quick
- 2015
- 2010
Jaggubhai
Mani
2000s
- 2008
Thangam
Kaalai
- 2004
Manmadhan
'Puncture' Pandian
- 2003
Yes Madam
Movie
Chokka Thangam
Muthu’s Uncle
- 2002
Samasthanam
Movie
- 2001
Azhagana Naatkal
Ranjith
Samuthiram
Ramanathan
Vedham
Movie
Kunguma Pottu Gounder
Chinnasamy
- 2000
Kannaal Pesavaa
Clinton
Veeranadai
Ulagavaayan
1990s
- 1999
Azhagarsamy
Movie
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga
Kundalakesi
Malabar Police
Govindrajan
Ethirum Pudhirum
Auto Driver
Ponnu Veetukkaran
Ekambharam
Suriya Paarvai
Movie
- 1998
Thaayin Manikodi
Movie
Aval Varuvala
Dhandabani
- 1997
Rettai Jadai Vayasu
Vijay´s Uncle
Thedinen Vandhadhu
Tamizhmani / 'Pollachi' Ponnusamy
Aahaa Enna Porutham
Movie
Periya Idathu Mappillai
Kaali
Sishya
Aravind friend
Vallal
Thangarasu
Mannava
Raghupathy
Pudhayal
Movie
Nesam
Movie
Periya Thambi
Azhagu Sundaram
- 1996
Senathipathi
Kathavarayan
Metukudi
Movie
Ullathai Allitha
Vasu
Parambarai
Movie
Coimbatore Mappillai
Gopal
- 1995
Maaman Magal
Maams
Ayudha Poojai
Kandhasamy
Ragasiya Police
Movie
Periya Kudumbam
Movie
Villadhi Villain
Mani
Murai Maaman
Perusu
Chinna Vathiyar
Josiyar
Coolie
Movie
Lucky Man
Movie
Karnaa
Khalnayak
Raja Enga Raja
Raja
Naan Petha Magane
K. D. Varadarajan
- 1994
Nattamai
Movie
Periya Marudhu
Movie
Thai Maaman
Rasappan's uncle
Sadhu
Movie
Jai Hind
Kottaisamy
Vandicholai Chinraasu
Kittu
Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana
Anja Singam Maruthupandi
Aranmanai Kaavalan
Thangamani
Sethupathi I.P.S
Muthaiya
- 1993
Udan Pirappu
Vellasamy
Ponnumani
Nachi
Gentleman
Mani
Dharma Seelan
Aarusamy
Band Master
Movie
Uzhaippali
Lawyer's P.A
Porantha Veeda Puguntha Veeda
Ravi's Father
Maharasan
Govindan
Yejaman
Vellaiyangiri
Walter Vetrivel
Royal Ramasamy
- 1992
Villu Pattukaran
Appakannu
Onna Irukka Kathukanom
Movie
Chinna Pasanga Naanga
Govind
Thirumathi Palanisamy
Dhandapani
Pangali
Kuyilkunju
Naalaya Seidhi
Movie
Magudam
Thanisami
Suriyan
Panikutti Ramasamy
Oor Mariyadhai
Movie
Singaravelan
Drums Mani
Therku Theru Machan
Movie
Thanga Manasukkaran
Guitarist
Rickshaw Mama
Govindasamy
Mannan
Muthu
Chinna Gounder
Movie
- 1991
Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum
Dharmalingam
Bramma
Valayapalayam Chinnasamy
Vasanthakala Paravai
Movie
Cheran Pandiyan
Mechanic Maanikkam (motor mechanic)
Idhaya Vasal
Movie
Chinna Thambi
Cook Kandhasamy
Pudhu Manidhan
Rasappa
Naan Pudicha Mappillai
Thandavarayan
- 1990
Nadigan
Kurangu Kannayiram
My Dear Marthandan
'Idea' Mani
Velai Kidaichuruchu
Movie
Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu
Movie
Madurai Veeran Enga Saami
Balloon Kandasamy
Periya Idathu Pillai
Movie
Neengalum Herothan
Paavada Samy / Paavada Kanth
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
Sutti Josiyar
Vazhkai Chakkaram
Ramasamy
Pattanathil Petti
Movie
1980s
- 1989
Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai
Chinna Muthu
Ponmana Selvan
Hong Kong Annamalai
Karagattakaran
Thavil
Enga Ooru Maappilai
Movie
- 1988
Poo Pootha Nandhavanam
Movie
Pen Puthi Mun Puthi
Movie
- 1987
Gramatthu Minnal
Movie
Ninaivey Oru Sangeedham
Movie
Per Sollum Pillai
Movie
Idhu Oru Thodarkathai
Movie
- 1986
Mannukkul Vairam
Movie
Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum
Movie
Rasigan Oru Rasigai
Movie
December Pookkal
Mayilsamy
Karimedu Karuvayan
Movie
- 1985
Japanil Kalyanaraman
Movie
Naan Ungal Rasigan
Movie
Idhaya Kovil
Movie
Eetti
Movie
Geethanjali
Movie
Naane Raja Naane Manthiri
Kupusamy
Pagal Nilavu
George Kutty
Anbin Mugavari
Movie
Udhaya Geetham
Movie
Raman Sreeraman
Movie
Aagaya Thamaraigal
Movie
Raja Yuvaraja
Movie
Mannukketha Ponnu
Vishamurukki Veluchami
Alai Osai
Movie
Annai Bhoomi 3D
Movie
- 1984
Unnai Naan Santhithen
Pandiya
Naalai Unathu Naal
Varadhan
Komberi Mookan
Movie
Naan Paadum Paadal
Movie
Priyamudan Prabhu
Movie
- 1983
Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey
Movie
Uyirullavarai Usha
Movie
Jothi
Movie
Malaiyoor Mambattiyan
Landlord Chinna Pannai
- 1982
Kadhal Oviyam
Nayanam
Payanangal Mudivathillai
House owner
- 1981
Kudumbam Oru Kadambam
Chettiar
Andha 7 Naatkal
Movie
Netrikan
Singaram (Chakravarthy's driver)
- 1980
Saranam Ayyappa
Movie
1970s
- 1979
Suvarilladha Chiththirangal
Kaliyannan
Puthiya Vaarpugal
Amavasai
- 1978
Sigappu Rojakkal
Manager
- 1977
16 Vayathinile
Koothu
Chakravathi
Movie
- 1971
Thenum Paalum
Subramani
1960s
- 1964
Server Sundaram
Cab driver (uncredited)