Goundamani
Biography
Goundamani, born Subramani Karuppaiya on 25 May 1935 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian male film actor and comedian. He is widely recognized for his partnership with fellow actor Senthil, forming a comic duo that has been likened to Tamil cinema’s version of Laurel and Hardy and noted for slap‑stick humour in numerous Tamil films. According to scriptwriter Bhagyaraj, his original name “Mani” acquired the prefix “Counter” for his quick improvisational replies on stage and set, which later evolved into the stage name Goundamani during the production of the film 16 Vayathinile. The actor’s filmography lists 257 acting credits, and he is also known by the spellings Kaundamani, Koundamani and Gaundamani.
Career overview
Goundamani, born Subramani Karuppaiya on 25 May 1935 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian film actor and comedian. He is also listed under the alternate spellings Kaundamani, Koundamani and Gaundamani. The TMDB record identifies him as a male performer with 257 acting credits.
He is best known for his long‑running comic partnership with fellow actor Senthil. The duo has been described as “Tamil cinema’s Laurel and Hardy” and is noted for delivering slapstick humour across numerous Tamil films. Although Goundamani has performed solo comedic roles, he frequently co‑starred with Senthil, forming a partnership that became a hallmark of Tamil comedy.
According to anecdotal accounts, his stage name originated from his ability to give an immediate “counter” on the spot and off script during performances and shoots. Bhagyaraj, who was writing scripts and title credits for Bharathiraja in the early days, is said to have adapted the “Counter” prefix into the name Goundamani while working on the film 16 Vayathinile. This naming story, together with his extensive filmography, underscores his prominent place in the history of Tamil cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
236 titles- Otha Votu Muthaiya (2025)
- Vaaimai (2016) as Benny Quick
- Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu (2016) as Caravan Krishnan
- 49-O (2015) as Savuri
- Pollachi Mappiley (2010) as Chellapatta
- Jaggubhai (2010) as Mani
- Thangam (2008) as Kaalai
- Suyetchai MLA (2006) as Visky
- Manmadhan (2004) as 'Puncture' Pandian
- Yes Madam (2003)
- Parasuram (2003) as Sub Inspector Thangaraj
- Chokka Thangam (2003) as Muthu’s Uncle
- Baba (2002) as Annamalai
- Samasthanam (2002)
- Azhagana Naatkal (2001) as Ranjith
- Samuthiram (2001) as Ramanathan
- Kunguma Pottu Gounder (2001) as Chinnasamy
- Vedham (2001)
- Kannaal Pesavaa (2000)
- Kannan Varuvaan (2000) as Thanneermalai / Aadiyapaatham / Ezhumalai
- Veeranadai (2000) as Ulagavaayan
- Kadhalar Dhinam (1999) as Romeo
- Suriya Paarvai (1999)
- Malabar Police (1999) as Govindrajan
- Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999) as Kundalakesi
- Azhagarsamy (1999)
- Ponnu Veetukkaran (1999) as Ekambharam
- Ethirum Pudhirum (1999) as Auto Driver
- Aval Varuvala (1998) as Dhandabani
- Thaayin Manikodi (1998)
- En Uyir Nee Thaane (1998)
- Rettai Jadai Vayasu (1997) as Vijay´s Uncle
- Pudhayal (1997)
- Periya Thambi (1997) as Azhagu Sundaram
- Nesam (1997)
- Janakiraman (1997)
- Periya Idathu Mappillai (1997) as Kaali
- Themmangu Paattukaaran (1997)
- Sishya (1997) as Aravind friend
- Thedinen Vandhadhu (1997) as Tamizhmani / 'Pollachi' Ponnusamy
- Vallal (1997) as Thangarasu
- Mannava (1997) as Raghupathy
- Aahaa Enna Porutham (1997)
- Musthaffaa (1996)
- Poovarasan (1996)
- Gnanapazham (1996) as Aarthi's brother
- Indian (1996) as Subbaiyaa
- Ullathai Allitha (1996) as Vasu
- Parambarai (1996)
- Katta Panchayathu (1996)
- Senathipathi (1996) as Kathavarayan
- Coimbatore Mappillai (1996) as Gopal
- Tata Birla (1996) as Ranjith
- Maha Prabhu (1996)
- Nattupura Pattu (1996) as Kattamuthu
- Metukudi (1996)
- Nadodi Mannan (1995)
- Mr. Madras (1995) as Govindsamy
- Chinna Vathiyar (1995) as Josiyar
- Raja Enga Raja (1995) as Raja
- Coolie (1995)
- Naan Petha Magane (1995) as K. D. Varadarajan
- Muthu Kulikka Vaarieyala (1995)
- Murai Maaman (1995) as Perusu
- Periya Kudumbam (1995)
- Muthu Kaalai (1995)
- Ragasiya Police (1995)
- Lucky Man (1995)
- Villadhi Villain (1995) as Mani
- Veluchami (1995) as Kathavarayan
- Karnaa (1995) as Khalnayak
- Chakravarthy (1995) as Chinnappa
- Maaman Magal (1995) as Maams
- Ayudha Poojai (1995) as Kandhasamy
- Murai Mappillai (1995) as Ramesh
- Mettupatti Mirasu (1994) as Gounder
- Vandicholai Chinraasu (1994) as Kittu
- Periya Marudhu (1994)
- Vietnam Colony (1994) as Joseph
- Sadhu (1994)
- Thai Maaman (1994)
- Rajakumaran (1994)
- Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana (1994) as Anja Singam Maruthupandi
- Nattamai (1994)
- Sethupathi I.P.S (1994) as Muthaiya
- Jai Hind (1994) as Kottaisamy
- Nila (1994)
- Aranmanai Kaavalan (1994) as Thangamani
- Seeman (1994)
- Walter Vetrivel (1993) as Royal Ramasamy
- Chinna Jameen (1993) as Thalayari Mama
- Porantha Veeda Puguntha Veeda (1993) as Ravi's Father
- Dhuruva Natchathiram (1993)
- Maharasan (1993) as Govindan
- Koyil Kaalai (1993) as Ramasamy
- Rakkayi Koyil (1993)
- Band Master (1993)
- Utthama Raasa (1993) as Ondipuli
- Gentleman (1993) as Mani
- Yejaman (1993) as Vellaiyangiri
- Uzhaippali (1993) as Lawyer's P.A
- I Love India (1993) as Diwakar's uncle
- Ponnumani (1993)
- Amma Ponnu (1993)
- Udan Pirappu (1993) as Vellasamy
- Manikuyil (1993)
- Kattabomman (1993) as Subramani
- Dharma Seelan (1993)
- Therku Theru Machan (1992)
- Thanga Manasukkaran (1992) as Guitarist
- Thirumathi Palanisamy (1992) as Dhandapani
- Singaravelan (1992) as Drums Mani
- Chinna Gounder (1992)
- Senthamizh Paattu (1992)
- Chinna Pasanga Naanga (1992) as Govind
- Suriyan (1992) as Panikutti Ramasamy
- Kottai Vaasal (1992)
- Oor Mariyadhai (1992)
- Aavarampoo (1992) as Aasari
- Muthal Seethanam (1992)
- Onna Irukka Kathukanom (1992)
- Villu Pattukaran (1992) as Appakannu
- Mannan (1992) as Muthu
- Chinnavar (1992)
- Pangali (1992) as Kuyilkunju
- Samundi (1992)
- Idhuthanda Sattam (1992) as Karuppan
- Ilavarasan (1992)
- Paandi Durai (1992)
- Chinna Thayee (1992)
- Chinna Thambi (1991)
- Cheran Pandiyan (1991) as Mechanic Maanikkam (motor mechanic)
- Idhaya Vasal (1991)
- Bramma (1991) as Valayapalayam Chinnasamy
- En Rasavin Manasile (1991) as Pannaiyar
- Pudhu Manidhan (1991)
- Vasanthakala Paravai (1991)
- Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum (1991) as Dharmalingam
- Thalattu Ketkuthamma (1991)
- Thayamma (1991) as Sisubalan
- Kizhakku Karai (1991)
- Oorellaam Un Paattu (1991)
- Periya Idathu Pillai (1990)
- Velai Kidaichuruchu (1990)
- Vazhkai Chakkaram (1990)
- Puthu Paatu (1990) as Palanisamy
- Vazhndhu Kattuvom (1990)
- Neengalum Herothan (1990) as Paavada Samy / Paavada Kanth
- Pattanathil Petti (1990)
- Thangathin Thangam (1990)
- Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu (1990)
- Madurai Veeran Enga Saami (1990) as Balloon Kandasamy
- Paattukku Naan Adimai (1990)
- Nadigan (1990)
- My Dear Marthandan (1990) as 'Idea' Mani
- Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga (1990) as Sutti Josiyar
- Salem Vishnu (1990) as Kathavarayan
- Enga Ooru Maappilai (1989)
- Anbu Kattalai (1989)
- Ninaivu Chinnam (1989) as Kundalakesi
- Enna Petha Raasa (1989)
- Thangamana Raasa (1989)
- Karagattakaran (1989) as Thavil
- Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai (1989)
- Thiruppu Munai (1989)
- Ponmana Selvan (1989) as Hong Kong Annamalai
- Pen Puthi Mun Puthi (1988)
- Poo Pootha Nandhavanam (1988)
- Thaaippasam (1988)
- Mena Mama (1988)
- Jaathi Pookkal (1987)
- Idhu Oru Thodarkathai (1987)
- Gramatthu Minnal (1987)
- Per Sollum Pillai (1987)
- Ninaivey Oru Sangeedham (1987)
- Mannukkul Vairam (1986)
- December Pookal (1986) as Mayilsamy
- Mr. Bharath (1986) as Sanjeevi
- Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum (1986)
- Dharma Pathni (1986)
- Naane Raja Naane Manthiri (1985) as Kupusamy
- Pagal Nilavu (1985) as George Kutty
- Idhaya Kovil (1985)
- Eetti (1985)
- Raman Sriraman (1985)
- Japanil Kalyanaraman (1985)
- Anbin Mugavari (1985)
- Kanni Raasi (1985) as Gopi Krishna
- Rajathi Rojakili (1985) as Soora Thevar
- Marudhani (1985)
- Annai Bhoomi 3D (1985)
- Udhaya Geetham (1985)
- Raja Yuvaraja (1985)
- Aagaya Thamaraigal (1985)
- Alai Osai (1985)
- Vellai Manasu (1985)
- Naan Ungal Rasigan (1985)
- Anthasthu (1985) as Devdas
- Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984) as All in All Azhaguraja
- Naan Paadum Paadal (1984)
- Komberi Mookan (1984)
- Nilavu Suduvathillai (1984)
- Unnai Naan Santhithen (1984) as Pandiya
- Priyamudan Prabhu (1984)
- Naalai Unathu Naal (1984) as Varadhan
- Malaiyoor Mambattiyan (1983) as Landlord Chinna Pannai
- Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey (1983)
- Imaigal (1983)
- Aanandha Kummi (1983)
- Oppandham (1983)
- Uyirullavarai Usha (1983)
- Thambathigal (1983)
- Naan Soottiya Malar (1983)
- Inimai Idho Idho (1983) as Panchayat head
- Anandha Ragam (1982)
- Aagaaya Gangai (1982)
- Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982) as House owner
- Valibamey Vaa Vaa (1982)
- Pakkathu Veetu Roja (1982)
- Kadhal Oviyam (1982) as Nayanam
- Ilanjodigal (1982)
- Andha 7 Naatkal (1981)
- Aaradhanai (1981)
- Netrikan (1981) as Singaram (Chakravarthy's driver)
- Nenjile Thunivirunthal (1981)
- Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981) as Chettiar
- Kallukul Eeram (1980) as Velu
- Saranam Ayyappa (1980)
- Suvarilladha Chiththirangal (1979) as Kaliyannan
- Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) as Amavasai
- Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) as Ramaiah
- Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) as Manager
- 16 Vayathinile (1977) as Koothu
- Chakravathi (1977)
- Thenum Paalum (1971) as Subramani
- Raman Ethanai Ramanadi (1970) as Car Driver
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Goundamani best known for?
Goundamani is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Pollachi Mappiley (2010), Baba (2002), 自然系女子旅行3 (2026), Kadhalar Dhinam (1999).
When and where was Goundamani born?
Goundamani was born on May 25, 1935 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
How many credits does Goundamani have?
Goundamani has accumulated over 236 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1970 to 2025.
What is Goundamani's background in cinema and television?
Goundamani, born Subramani Karuppaiya on 25 May 1935 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian male film actor and comedian. He is widely recognized for his partnership with fellow actor Senthil, forming a comic duo that has been likened to Tamil cinema’s version of Laurel and Hardy and noted for slap‑stick humour...
Goundamani by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Pagal Nilavu (1985) as George Kutty — aged about 50
- Utthama Raasa (1993) as Ondipuli — aged about 58
- Andha 7 Naatkal (1981) — aged about 46
- Singaravelan (1992) as Drums Mani — aged about 57
- 16 Vayathinile (1977) as Koothu — aged about 42
- Kadhalar Dhinam (1999) as Romeo — aged about 64
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