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{{short description|Indian actor}}
{{COI|date=January 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| office = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| term_start = {{Start date|1999|11|16|df=yes}}
| term_end = {{End date|2005|11|15|df=yes}}
| constituency = Nominated
| president = {{Unbulleted_list|[[K. R. Narayanan]]<br />(1997 – 2002)|[[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]]<br />(2002 – 2007)}}
| primeminister = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

| office1 = Founder & Author of ''[[Thuglak]]''
| term_start1 = {{Start date|1970|01|14|df=yes}}
| term_end1 = {{End date|2016|12|07|df=yes}}
| successor1 = [[Swaminathan Gurumurthy]]
| predecessor1 = ''Position established''
| name = Cho Ramaswamy
| birth_name = Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1934|10|05}}<ref name="Birth" >{{Cite web|last=Geetha|first=V.|title=Cho Ramaswamy (1934-2016): Writer and editor who was a relentless critic of power and its misdeeds|url=http://scroll.in/article/813251/cho-ramaswamy-1934-2016-writer-and-editor-who-was-a-relentless-critic-of-power-and-its-misdeeds|access-date=2021-12-08|website=Scroll.in|date=7 December 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Mylapore]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]<br />(present day [[Chennai district|Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India)
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2016|12|07|1934|10|05}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|political satirist|journalist|lawyer|editor|director|screen writer}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|Soundaramba Ramaswamy|1966}}
| children = 2
| relatives = [[Ramya Krishnan]] (niece)
| module = {{infobox writer
| embed = yes
| notablework = ''[[Thuglak]]''
}}
| awards = [[Padma Bhushan]] (2017)
}}

{{Indian name|Ramaswamy|Srinivasa Iyer}}'''Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy''', better known as '''Cho Ramaswamy''' (5 October 1934<ref name="Birth"/> – 7 December 2016), was an Indian actor, comedian, editor, political commentator,<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Week |title=Political Satirist |work=Malayala Manorama |pages=91}}</ref> satirist, playwright, film director and lawyer from [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was a popular comedian in the 1960s and 1970s, and had acted with all the top stars in that period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.veethi.com/india-people/cho_ramaswamy-profile-100-22.htm|title=Cho Ramaswamy|website=veethi.com|access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Srinivasa Ramaswamy was fondly addressed and remembered as Cho. He was born in a family of lawyers<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cho Ramaswamy: The man who defied many and yet defined many|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2016/dec/07/cho-ramaswamy-the-man-who-defied-many-and-yet-defined-many-1546538.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208122017/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2016/dec/07/cho-ramaswamy-the-man-who-defied-many-and-yet-defined-many-1546538.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2016|access-date=2022-01-15|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

== Family ==
The elder son of R. Srinivasa Iyer and Rajammal, Cho had a younger brother, who was also an actor. Cho died on 7 December 2016.<ref>{{cite news|author=Geetha Venkataramanan|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/Actor-Neelu-on-his-60-year-old-bond-with-Cho/article16778091.ece|title=Actor Neelu on his 60-year old bond with Cho|work=The Hindu|date=8 December 2016|access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref>
He has two children Sriram Ramaswamy and Sindhuja. He did his schooling from P. S. High School. His niece is actress [[Ramya Krishnan]]. The name 'Cho' was the name of the character he played in a Tamil play written by Bhageerathan titled ''Thenmozhiyaal''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/cho-ramaswamy-dead-jayalalithaa-narendra-modi-thuglak-356154-2016-12-07|title=Jayalalithaa's friend, Modi's 'Rajguru': Who was Cho Ramaswamy?|date=7 December 2016|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-09-23}}</ref>

== Film career ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=January 2018}}

=== Films ===
Cho made his debut in 1963 with ''Paar Magale Paar'' as a comedian. From 1963 to 2005 he acted in 180 Tamil films and directed 5 films. He also wrote and directed 20 plays.<ref>{{cite web|author=Karthika Raveendran|url=http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/rajinikanth-sivakumar-suriya-karthi-pay-homage-to-late-journalist-actor-cho-ramaswamy|title=Rajinikanth, Sivakumar, Suriya, Karthi pay homage to late Journalist-actor Cho Ramaswamy|date=7 December 2016|publisher=Bollywoodlife.com|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref>

He also wrote and acted in 27 Television serials. He wrote 10 books. Apart from being an actor, he was both the screenplay and story writer of films such as ''Thenmazhai'', ''Ninaivil Nindraval'', ''Bommalattam'', ''[[Aayiram Poi]]'' and ''Panam Paththum Seyyum'', all of which proved to be box office hits.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

Cho played the role of a bike mechanic in the play ''Petralthan Pillaiya'', written by Pattu of the United Amateur Artistes (UAA), which became a huge success. When the play was later adapted into a film by director [[A. Bhimsingh]], [[Sivaji Ganesan]] persuaded Cho to play the same role in the film too, leading to Cho's entry into the film world.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} Cho and Jayalalithaa have worked together in 19 films and also had been part of the same drama troupe.

==== Frequent collaborations ====
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2019}}
Cho as an actor has been pitted against other actors across generations. His comic timing against T. S. Balaiah in ''Manam Oru Kurangu'', or with M. R. Radha, or many times with actors like V. K. Ramaswamy, Nagesh, Manorama and Sachu in many films brought out the best in him.

Cho and Manorama were paired together in 20 films, which included ''Malligaip poo, Annaiyum pithavum, Dharisanam, Anbait thedi, Ninaivil Nindraval, [[Nirai Kudam]], Therottam, [[Aayiram Poi]], Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, Bommalattam, Pugundha Veedu, Vilayaattu Pillai, Kanavan, Rojavin Raja'' and ''Velum Mayilum Thunai'' and were pitted in a non-couple role in ''Suryagandhi'', ''Delhi Mappilai'' and ''Naadagame Ulagam''.

Cho acted alongside Nagesh in ''Thenmazhai'', ''Ninaivil Nindraval'', ''Ulagam Ivvalavudhaan'' and ''Bommalattam'' among others. He was paired opposite Sachu in films like ''Deva Sankalpam'', ''Galaataa Kalyanam'' and ''Delhi Mappilai''.

Cho has acted with the MGR–Jayalalitha combo in films like ''Oli Villaku, Kanavan, [[Kumari Kottam]], Mattukara Velan, Aadimai Penn, [[Engal Thangam]], [[Thedi Vantha Mapillai]], En Annan'' and ''Neerum Nerupum''. Cho has acted with MGR in many films like ''Petralthaan Pillaiya, Sangey Muzhangu, Rickshawkaaran'' and ''Thalaivan''. Cho has acted with Jayalalitha in other films like ''Bommalaattam, Galaattaak kalyanam, Suryagandhi, Vandhaale Maharaasi'' and ''Anbai Thedi''.

Cho has acted with Sivakumar in films like ''Shanmugapriya, Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu, Thaip Paasam, Uravu Solla Oruvan, Aan Pillai Singam, Yaarukkum Vetkamillai, Chinna Kuyil Padudhu, Sattai Illatha Pambaram'' and ''Kanna Thorakiran Samy''. Among these, ''Yaarukkum Vetkamillai'' was directed by Cho in 1976.

== Journalism ==
He was the founder and editor of the Tamil magazine ''[[Thuglak]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thuglak.com/thuglak/onlinestore.php|title=Thuglak|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref>
Politicians such as [[J. B. Kripalani]], [[Indira Gandhi]], [[Karunanidhi]], [[Chandra Shekhar]], [[G. K. Moopanar]], [[M. G. Ramachandran]], [[Jayalalithaa]], [[Ramakrishna Hegde]], [[N. T. Rama Rao]], [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], and [[L. K. Advani]], [[Sonia Gandhi]], [[Manmohan Singh]] and [[P. Chidambaram]] were targets of his editorial attacks. In his last years, he predicted that [[Narendra Modi]] would "win laurels for India" in the future,<ref>{{cite web|title=Narendra Modi will win laurels for India in the future – Shri Cho Ramaswamy|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYQ7I5x0ceI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/QYQ7I5x0ceI |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|date=1 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and also praised [[Jayalalithaa]] for her administration of Tamil Nadu.

Cho enjoyed challenging [[MG Ramachandran]] (MGR) and his politics, while Karunanidhi stayed his target. The [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK), in his opinion, was populist and lacked ideology. When Jayalalithaa got into power and followed in MGR's path, however, the absence of ideology of the party was no longer an issue for him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cho-ramaswamy-articulated-the-anxieties-of-conservative-middle-class-brahmins/articleshow/55915938.cms|title = Cho Ramaswamy articulated the anxieties of conservative, middle-class Brahmins|newspaper = The Economic Times}}</ref>

On 25 January 2017, the Government of India announced a [[posthumous award|posthumous]] [[Padma Bhushan]] award for his contribution towards Literature & Education – Journalism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/PadmaAwards-2017_25012017.pdf|title=PadmaAwards-2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129231739/http://www.padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/PadmaAwards-2017_25012017.pdf|archive-date=29 January 2017}}</ref>

== Politics ==
Cho has been described as a right-wing public intellectual in tributes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cho-ramaswamy-articulated-the-anxieties-of-conservative-middle-class-brahmins/articleshow/55915938.cms|title = Cho Ramaswamy articulated the anxieties of conservative, middle-class Brahmins|newspaper = The Economic Times}}</ref>

Cho was publicly opposed to Sri Lankan Tamil militants, particularly the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam|Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)]], at a time when Sri lanka's ethnic crisis was at its peak and almost all political parties in Tamil Nadu highlighted the issue of the [[Sri Lankan Tamils]].<ref name=":0" />

The rise of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and [[Hindutva]] wave made Cho their sympathiser. He started involving in direct politics as a mediator. In 1999, he was instrumental in bringing the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) together in an alliance with BJP.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2016-12-07|title=Cho Ramaswamy: Remembering the C(onservative) H(indutva) O(racle)|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/cho-ramaswamy-remembering-the-conservative-hindutva-oracle-1320489.html|access-date=2021-12-08|website=News18|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Veeraraghav|first=T. M.|date=2019-11-30|title=Art of Political Alliance: How Men Like Cho Ramaswamy Mastered It|url=https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/bjp-political-alliance-cho-ramaswamy-tamil-nadu|access-date=2021-12-08|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref> He was successful in bringing [[G. K. Moopanar]], of the [[Tamil Maanila Congress]] and Karunanidhi together in the 1996 elections, and getting Rajnikanth to publicly support the alliance to defeat [[Jayalalithaa]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Post 2004, he became soft towards Jayalalithaa and spent all his energy in opposing the DMK and promoting BJP.<ref name=":1" /> Later on, in 2011, he convinced [[Vijayakanth]] to partner with the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Remembering Cho Ramaswamy, the Statesman-Satirist Who Knew No Fear|url=https://thewire.in/politics/cho-ramaswamy|access-date=2021-12-08|website=The Wire}}</ref> Cho was an ardent supporter of Narendra Modi.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-12-07|title=Cho Ramaswamy, a prolific writer who spared neither friend nor foe - An obituary|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/cho-ramaswamy-prolific-writer-who-spared-neither-friend-nor-foe-obituary-53953|access-date=2021-12-08|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> Cho had campaigned extensively for Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] during the [[2014 Indian general election]]; Modi described Ramaswamy as "Rajguru", and called himself his "fan".<ref>{{Cite web|last=December 7|first=India Today Web Desk|title=Jayalalithaa's friend, Modi's 'Rajguru': Who was Cho Ramaswamy?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/cho-ramaswamy-dead-jayalalithaa-narendra-modi-thuglak-356154-2016-12-07|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-08|website=India Today|date=7 December 2016 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923065628/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/cho-ramaswamy-dead-jayalalithaa-narendra-modi-thuglak-356154-2016-12-07 |archive-date=23 September 2019 }}</ref>

He was nominated to the [[Rajya Sabha]] by the [[President of India]], [[K. R. Narayanan]]. In the Rajya Sabha 12 [[Member of Parliament|MPs]] are nominated by the President of India from amongst persons who have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art or social service. He served as a Rajya Sabha [[Member of Parliament|MP]] from November 1999 to November 2005.<ref>[http://164.100.24.167:8080/members/website/Biodata.asp?no=224 Biodata]; accessed 28 January 2018.{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030514124124/http://164.100.24.167:8080/members/website/Biodata.asp?no=224|date=14 May 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/he-introduced-me-as-merchant-of-death-pm-modi-on-cho-ramaswamy-1634964|title=He Introduced Me As 'Merchant of Death': PM Modi on Cho Ramaswamy|publisher=Ndtv.com |access-date=2016-12-08}}</ref>

He remained the [[Sangh Parivar]]'s political man in Chennai.<ref name="Birth"/>

== Partial filmography ==
=== As actor ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Film !! Role
!Notes
|-
|rowspan="1" |1963 || ''[[Paar Magaley Paar]]''||
|
|-
|rowspan="2" |1966 || ''[[Marakka Mudiyumaa?]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Thenmazhai]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="6" |1967 || ''[[Ninaivil Nindraval (1967 film)|Ninaivil Nindraval]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Manam Oru Kurangu]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Penn Endraal Penn]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Naan Yaar Theriyuma]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Karpooram]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Aalayam (film)|Aalayam]]'' ||
|Guest appearance
|-
|rowspan="10" |1968 || ''[[Galatta Kalyanam]]''|| Vittal
|
|-
| ''[[Bommalattam (1968 film)|Bommalattam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Neelagiri Express]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Kuzhanthaikkaga]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Delhi Mapillai]]'' || Chinna Thambi
|
|-
| ''[[Lakshmi Kalyanam (1968 film)|Lakshmi Kalyanam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Kannan En Kadhalan]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Oli Vilakku]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Kanavan]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Siritha Mugam]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="8" |1969 || ''[[Nirai Kudam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Aayiram Poi]]'' || Muthu
|
|-
| ''[[Ulagam Ivvalavuthaan]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Adimai Penn]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Aindhu Laksham]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Kanni penn|Kanni Penn]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Magizham Poo]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Annaiyum Pithavum]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="9" |1970 || ''[[En Annan]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Maattukara Velan]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Engal Thangam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Enga Mama]]'' || Gnanam
|
|-
| ''[[Thedi Vandha Mappillai]]'' || Karpagam
|
|-
| ''[[Dharisanam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Nadu Iravil]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Vilayattu Pillai]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Snegithi]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="9" |1971 || ''[[Muhammad bin Tughluq (1971 film)|Muhammad bin Tughluq]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Therottam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Neerum Neruppum]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Rickshawkaran]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Oru Thaai Makkal]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Kumari Kottam]]'' || Babu
|
|-
| ''[[Arunodhayam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Soodhattam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Yanai Valartha Vanambadi Magan]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="7" |1972 || ''[[Thavapudhalavan]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Unakkum Enakkum]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Mr.Sampath]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Puguntha Veedu]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Thaaikku Oru Pillai]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Sange Muzhangu]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Deiva Sankalpam]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="16" |1973 || ''[[Vandhale Magarasi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Suryakanthi]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Gauravam (1973 film)|Gauravam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Pon Vanndu]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Vakkuruthi]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Ganga Gowri (1973 film)|Ganga Gowri]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Manitharil Maanikkam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Kasi Yathirai]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Ponnunjal (film)|Ponnunjal]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Shanmugapriya]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Vayadi]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Veettukku Vandha Marumagal]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Malligai Poo]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[School Master (1973 film)|School Master]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Nalla Mudivu]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Anbu Sagodharargal]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="11" |1974 || ''[[Thanga Pathakkam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Orey Saatchi]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Anbai Thedi]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Idhayam Parkkirathu]]'' ||
|Guest appearance
|-
| ''[[Roshakkaari]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Devi Sri Karmariamman]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Kalyanamam Kalyanam (film)|Kalyanamam Kalyanam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Pillai Selvam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Thai Pasam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Magalukkaga]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="11" |1975 || ''[[Aan Pillai Singam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Sonthankal Vaazhga]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Andharangam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Cinema Paithiyam]]'' ||
|Guest appearance
|-
| ''[[Unga Veettu Kalyaanam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Avandhan Manidhan]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Thai Veettu Seethanam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Uravu Solla Oruvan]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Yarukkum Vetkamillai]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Pinchu Manam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Melnaattu Marumagal]]'' ||
|Guest appearance
|-
|rowspan="5" |1976 || ''[[Unmaye Un Vilai Enna]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Mayor Meenakshi]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Rojavin Raja]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Avan Oru Sarithiram]]'' ||
|Guest appearance
|-
| ''[[Perum Pugazhum]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="3" |1977 || ''[[Thanikudithanam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Balappareetchai]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Unnai Sutrum Ulagam]]'' ||
|Guest appearance
|-
|rowspan="2" |1978 || ''[[Sakka Podu Podu Raja (1978 film)|Sakka Podu Podu Raja]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Annapoorani]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="3" |1979 || ''[[Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Nadagame Ulagam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Velum Mayilum Thunai]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="1" |1981 || ''[[Kadavulin Theerppu]]''||
|
|-
|rowspan="1" |1983 || ''[[Adutha Varisu]]''||
|
|-
|rowspan="2" |1984 || ''[[Naan Mahaan Alla (1984 film)|Naan Mahaan Alla]]''|| A. R. Chandran/Reddy
|
|-
| ''[[Saattai Illatha Pambaram]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="2" |1985 || ''[[Navgraha Nayagi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Puthiya Theerpu]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="1" |1986 || ''[[Kanna Thorakkanum Saami]]''||
|
|-
|rowspan="5" |1987 || ''[[Chinna Kuyil Paaduthu]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Kani Nilam]]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Manithan (1987 film)|''Manithan'']]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Anand (1987 film)|''Anand'']]'' ||
|
|-
| ''[[Paruva Ragam]]'' ||
|
|-
|rowspan="1" |1988 || ''[[Guru Sishyan (1988 film)|''Guru Sishyan'']]''||
|
|-
|rowspan="1" |1990 || ''[[Adhisaya Piravi]]''||
|
|-
|rowspan="1" |1990 || ''[[Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga]]''||
|
|-
|rowspan="1" |1998 || ''[[Kadhala Kadhala]]''||
|
|}

=== Direction ===
# ''[[Muhammad bin Tughluq (1971 film)|Muhammad bin Tughluq]]'' (1971)
# ''[[Mr. Sampath (1972 film)|Mr. Sampath]]'' (1972)
# ''[[Yarukkum Vetkam Illai]]'' (1975)
# ''[[Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna?|Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna]] (1976)''
# ''Sambo Siva Samboo'' (1977)

=== Screenplay ===
# ''[[Thenmazhai]]'' (1966)
# ''[[Ninaivil Nindraval (1967 film)|Ninaivil Nindraval]]'' (1967)
# ''[[Manam Oru Kurangu]]'' (1967)
# ''[[Neelagiri Express]]'' (1968)
# ''[[Bommalattam (1968 film)|Bommalattam]]'' (1968)
# ''[[Aayiram Poi]]'' (1969)
# ''[[Nirai Kudam]]'' (1969)

=== Story and dialogues ===
# ''[[Kani Nilam]]'' (1987)

== Other works ==
=== Plays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Play !! Role !!class=unsortable| Notes
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Kalyani''|| || debut drama
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Wait and See''|| ||directed by KB
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Why Not''|| ||directed by KB
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''What For''|| ||directed by KB
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Muhammad bin Tughluq''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Yaarukkum Vetkamillai''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Saathiram Sonnadhillai''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Nermai Urangum Neram''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Iraivan Irandhuvittana?''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Enru Thaniyum Inda Sudandira Thaagam?''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Judgement Reserved''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Quo Vadis''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Unmayae Unn Villai Ennae?''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Saraswathiyin Selvan''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Unmai Urangum Neram''|| ||
|-
|rowspan="1" | || ''Madras by Night''|| ||
|}

=== Bibliography ===
# ''Hindu Maha Samudram'' Vol – I, II, III, IV, V, and VI (Latest)
# ''Mahabaratham Pesugirathu''
# ''Valmiki Ramayanam''
# ''Verukathagada Bramaniyam''
# ''Nane Raja''

=== Television ===
# ''[[Engey Brahmanan]]''?
# ''Verukatthakkatha Brahmaneeyam''?
# ''[[Sambavami Yuge Yuge]]''
# ''Vande Mataram''
# ''Ivargalai Therindhu Kollungal''
# ''Washington Il Nallathambi''
# ''Sarakar Pugunda Veedu''
# ''Koovam Nadikaraiyinile''
# ''Adhigaprasangam''
# ''Yaro Ivar Yaro''?
# ''[[Saadhal Ellaiyel Kaadhal]]''
# ''Mydear BrahmaDeva''
# ''India Enge Pogiradhu''?
# ''Kamarajarai Sandhitthen''
# ''Puratchi Geethai''
# ''Sattam Thalai Guniyattum''
# ''Enge Pogirai''?
# ''Embak Kana Onru Kandaen''
# ''Saraswathiyin Selvan''
# ''Manam Oru Kurangu''
# ''En Koodathu''?
# ''Eravil Chennai''
# ''Uravugal Ellaiyadi Pappa''
# ''Edarkaga''?
# ''Thiraiyulagathai Thirumbi Parkiraen''
# ''Unmayae Unn Villai Ennae''?
# ''[[Janatha Nagar Colony]]''

== Satire ==
Following [[Sanjay Gandhi]]'s death in an air crash, Cho released stamps in memory of Capt. Subhash Saxena, the pilot of the aircraft, who also died in the air crash. The postal departments failed to realise that these stamps were not official and mistakenly delivered mail that had them affixed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/india-news-satires-doughty-donkey/302647|title=Cho's 'Thuglak' -- 50 Years of Poking Fun at Power, Donkey Style | Outlook Magazine}}</ref>

== Illness and death ==
Cho was hospitalized in January 2015 and was in and out of hospital due to illness. He died of a cardiac arrest at 3:58 AM on 7 December 2016, aged 82, at [[Apollo Hospital]] in [[Chennai]], where he was receiving treatment for respiratory problems. He was survived by his wife, Soundaramba Ramaswamy,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Srinivasa-Iyer-Ramaswamy-passes-away-aged-82/articleshow/55845380.cms|title=Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy passes away, aged 82|last=Ramaswamy|first=Srinivasa Iyer|newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> son Rajivakshan alias Sriram, and daughter Sindhu.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Cho-Ramaswamy-passes-away/article16771236.ece?homepage=true Obituary], thehindu.com; accessed 28 January 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/cho-ramaswamy-watched-jayalalithaas-final-journey-before-he-breathed-his-last-3143632.html|title=Cho Ramaswamy watched Jayalalithaa's final journey before he breathed his last — Firstpost|website=firstpost.com|date=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/cho-ramaswamy-watched-jayalalithaas-final-journey-before-he-breathed-his-last-3143632.html|title=Cho Ramaswamy watched Jayalalithaa's final journey before he breathed his last|date=7 December 2016|publisher=Firstpost.com|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Cho-Ramaswamy-passes-away/article16771236.ece|title=Cho Ramaswamy passes away|last=Ramaswamy|first=Cho|date=7 December 2016|website=The Hindu|publisher=The Hindu India|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>

His death happened a day after [[J. Jayalalithaa|Jayalalithaa]] had died. [[Rajinikanth]] disclosed later that Jayalalithaa had always wished that Cho should live as long as she lived. He quoted: "As it turns out, he was alive till then and even few hours after that."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/modi-pays-tributes-to-cho-ramaswamy/article17040268.ece|title=Modi pays tributes to 'Cho' Ramaswamy|first=Dennis S.|last=Jesudasan|date=14 January 2017|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

[[K. Veeramani]], leader of the [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] and a self-confessed atheist, in his tributes to Cho, said he was a unique journalist with independent views.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/cho-ramaswamy-fearless-critic-who-was-a-friend-to-all/article9416277.ece|title = Cho Ramaswamy: Fearless critic who was a friend to all| date=7 December 2016 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|id=1167164}}
* [https://archive.org/details/BadriSeshadriChoRamaswamyonIndianPresidentialcandidate_andnowthePresident_Mrs.Pratibh/ Audio of Cho Ramaswamy on Mrs Pratibha Patil, prior to the Indian Presidential elections where Mrs Patil was a candidate] (in Tamil), 13 July 2007.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040804035143/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/06/02/stories/2004060200430100.htm Profile], thehindu.com, 2 June 2004.
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040711/spectrum/main2.htm Profile], TribuneIndia.com, 11 July 2004.
* [http://www.rediff.com/freedom/18cho.htm Profile], Rediff.com; accessed 28 January 2018.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927143629/http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/VirtualPageView.jsp?page_id=954 Virtual Page], HarmonyIndia.org; accessed 28 January 2018.
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99nov22/nation.htm#14 Profile], tribuneindia.com; accessed 28 January 2018.
* [http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/pm-modi-meets-ailing-journalist-cho-ramaswamy/ PM Visit], indianexpress.com; accessed 28 January 2018.
* [http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/jayalalithaa-calls-on-cho-ramaswamy/article7587022.ece CM Visit], thehindu.com; accessed 28 January 2018.
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Srinivasa-Iyer-Ramaswamy-passes-away-aged-82/articleshow/55845380.cms Obituary], indiatimes.com; accessed 28 January 2018.

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2010–19}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramaswamy, Cho}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Tamil comedians]]
[[Category:Politicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Indian theatre directors]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
[[Category:Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Indian male dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Male actors from Chennai]]
[[Category:Indian satirists]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Chennai]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Tamil television writers]]

Cho Ramaswamy - Revision history

MavisLandale6 at 05:13, 24 March 2026