Pururava at 16:55, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T16:55:43Z

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{{Short description|Indian actor and choreographer (1930–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = [[Kalaimamani]]
| name = Judo Rathnam
| image =
| birth_name = K. K. Rathnam
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1930|8|8}}
| birth_place = [[Gudiyatham]],<br/>[[North Arcot|North Arcot District]],<br/>[[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now in [[Vellore district]],<br/>[[Tamil Nadu]], India)
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2023|01|26|1930|8|8}}
| death_place = [[Gudiyatham]], [[Vellore district]], Tamil Nadu, India
| spouse = Govindammal
| othername = Kalaichelvan, Rudhranagam
| yearsactive = 1959–2023
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|action choreographer|stunt coordinator}}
}}

'''K. K. Rathnam''' (8 August 1930 – 26 January 2023), known as '''Judo Rathnam''', was an Indian action choreographer. He made his debut as an actor in the film ''[[Thamarai Kulam]]'' in 1959, and later made his debut as a stunt master in the film ''[[Vallavan Oruvan]]'' in 1966. He made his last appearance as an actor before retirement in the film ''[[Thalainagaram]]'' in 2006. Stunt masters and actors such as [[Vikram Dharma]], [[Super Subbarayan]], [[Thalapathy Dinesh]], [[Jaguar Thangam]], [[Rocky Rajesh]], [[Rambo Rajkumar]], [[FEFSI Vijayan]], Stun Siva, [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]], Judo. K. K. Ramu, Indian Baskar, Rajasekhar, Ambur. R. S. Babu, M. Shahul Hameed, Kundrathur Babu, Azhagu & Vengal Rao have worked as fighters and assistants to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tamil.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/a-biography-of-the-fight-master-judoratnam-131674743052207.html |title=எம்ஜிஆருக்கு சண்டை சொல்லித் தர மறுத்த ஜூடோ ரத்தனம்! அறியப்படாத தகவல்கள்! |publisher=Hindustan Times Tamil |date=26 January 2023 |accessdate=2 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dinamalar.com/news/tamil-nadu-news/cinematic-fighting-coach-judo-ratnam-passes-away/3227031 |title=சினிமா சண்டை பயிற்சியாளர் ஜூடோ ரத்தினம் மறைவு |publisher=Dina Malar |date=27 January 2023 |accessdate=2 March 2023}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} His son Judo. K. K. Ramu is also a stunt master, while his grandsons Judo Lenin and John Prince are stunt artists.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://antrukandamugam.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/judo-k-k-rathnam/ |title=Judo. K. K. Rathnam Antru Kanda Mugam |publisher=Wordpress.com |date=15 May 2015 |accessdate=16 October 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304141906/https://antrukandamugam.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/judo-k-k-rathnam/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2023}}

Rathnam died on 26 January 2023, at age 92.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 January 2023 |title=Legendary stunt choreographer Judo Rathnam passes away at 92 |work=[[Cinema Express]] |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/jan/26/legendary-stunt-choreographer-judo-rathnam-passes-away-at-92-39286.html |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126165844/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/jan/26/legendary-stunt-choreographer-judo-rathnam-passes-away-at-92-39286.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Rathnam was born in Gudiyattam. From his early childhood, he was attracted towards bodybuilding, yoga and silambam. He won gold medal in bodybuilding and silver cup in boxing which led Rathnam to receive opportunities in films as a stuntman. Mugavai Rajamanikkam took him to Chennai and introduced him to [[Muktha Srinivasan]] who gave him an opportunity for playing a stuntman in his film ''[[Thamarai Kulam]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=28 November 1982 |title=என்.டி.ராமாராவ் அசந்து போனார்! |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1982-11-28/page/n53/mode/2up |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |language=Ta |pages=52–53 |access-date=17 April 2023}}</ref> He was given the name Judo Rathnam by A. Kareem at Tamil Art Literature Conference.

==Filmography==
{{Colbegin}}
* 1966 ''[[Vallavan Oruvan]]''
* 1966 ''[[Iru Vallavargal]]''
* 1967 ''Madi Veettu Mappillai''
* 1967 ''[[Ethirigal Jakkirathai]]''
* 1967 ''[[Kadhalithal Podhuma]]''
* 1968 ''Thanga Valayal''
* 1968 ''[[Muthu Chippi]]''
* 1968 ''Deiveega Uravu''
* 1969 ''Thulabaram''
* 1970 ''[[Dharisanam]]''
* 1971 ''Thanga Gopuram''
* 1971 ''Signal Man Siddappa'' (Kannada)
* 1971 ''Nammaka Drohulu'' (Telugu)
* 1972 ''Bathilukku Bathil''
* 1972 ''[[Kasethan Kadavulada]]''
* 1973 ''[[Puttinillu Mettinillu]]'' (Telugu)
* 1973 ''Sahadharmini'' (Kannada)
* 1973 ''[[Bidugade]]'' (Kannada)
* 1974 ''Nomu'' (Telugu)
* 1975 ''[[Mayura (film)|Mayura]]'' (Kannada)
* 1975 ''Hotel Sorgam''
* 1975 [[Pooja (1975 film)|''Pooja'']] (Telugu)
* 1976 ''[[Jeevan Jyothi (1976 film)|Jeevana Jyothi]]'' (Hindi)
* 1977 ''[[Gaayathri]]''
* 1977 ''Devare Dikku'' (Kannada)
* 1977 ''[[Thayigintha Devarilla]]'' (Kannada)
* 1977 ''Nallathukku Kaalamillai''
* 1978 ''Mela Thalangal''
* 1978 ''[[Maathu Tappada Maga]]'' (Kannada)
* 1979 ''Pancha Kalyani''
* 1979 ''Suddhikalasam'' (Malayalam)
* 1980 ''[[Murattu Kaalai (1980 film)|Murattu Kaalai]]''
* 1980 ''Othaiyadi Pathaiyile''
* 1981 ''[[Netrikkann]]''
* 1981 ''Nenjil Oru Mul''
* 1981 ''[[Raktham]]'' (Malayalam)
* 1981 ''[[Sivappu Malli]]''
* 1982 ''[[Pokkiri Raja (1982 film)|Pokkiri Raja]]''
* 1982 ''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (1982 film)|Sagalakala Vallavan]]''
* 1982 ''[[Chinnan Chirusugal]]''
* 1982 ''Theeratha Vilayattu Pillai''
* 1982 ''[[Kanne Radha]]''
* 1982 ''[[Puthukavithai]]''
* 1982 ''[[Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam]]'' (Malayalam)
* 1982 ''[[Pakkathu Veetu Roja]]''
* 1982 ''[[Enkeyo Ketta Kural]]''
* 1982 ''[[Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam]]''
* 1982 ''[[Anandha Ragam]]''
* 1983 ''[[Uruvangal Maralam]]''
* 1983 ''[[Malaiyoor Mambattiyan]]''
* 1983 ''Oru Kai Parppom''
* 1983 ''[[Coolie (1983 Malayalam film)|Coolie]]'' (Malayalam)
* 1983 ''[[Paayum Puli (1983 film)|Paayum Puli]]''
* 1983 ''[[Thangaikkor Geetham]]''
* 1983 ''[[Uyirullavarai Usha]]''
* 1983 ''[[Thudikkum Karangal (1983 film)|Thudikkum Karangal]]''
* 1983 ''Puthisali Paithiyangal''
* 1983 ''Naan Soottiya Malar''
* 1983 ''[[Sivappu Sooriyan]]''
* 1983 ''[[Mundhanai Mudichu]]''
* 1983 ''Valartha Kada''
* 1983 ''[[Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey]]''
* 1983 ''[[Kairasikkaran]]''
* 1983 ''[[Soorakottai Singakutti]]''
* 1983 ''[[Adutha Varisu]]''
* 1984 ''Madurai Sooran''
* 1984 ''[[Naan Mahaan Alla (1984 film)|Naan Mahaan Alla]]''
* 1984 ''[[Thambikku Entha Ooru]]''
* 1984 ''Sabash''
* 1984 ''Magudi''
* 1984 ''[[Insaaf Kaun Karega]]'' (Hindi)
* 1984 ''[[Poochakkoru Mookkuthi]]'' (Malayalam)
* 1984 ''[[Itha Innu Muthal]]'' (Malayalam)
* 1984 ''Mainakam'' (Malayalam)
* 1984 ''[[Thiruppam]]''
* 1984 ''[[Nerupukkul Eeram]]''
* 1984 ''[[Neengal Kettavai]]''
* 1984 ''Niyayam''
* 1984 ''[[Vellai Pura Ondru]]''
* 1984 ''Neram Nalla Neram''
* 1984 ''[[Kai Kodukkum Kai]]''
* 1984 ''[[Iru Medhaigal]]''
* 1984 ''Udhandudu'' (Telugu)
* 1984 ''[[Mudivalla Arambam]]''
* 1984 ''[[Nallavanukku Nallavan]]''
* 1984 ''Rajathanthiram''
* 1984 ''[[Naanayam Illatha Naanayam]]'' as Kalan
* 1985 ''[[Padikkadavan (1985 film)|Padikkadavan]]''
* 1985 ''[[Oru Kaidhiyin Diary]]''
* 1985 ''[[Avan (1985 film)|Avan]]''
* 1985 ''Veettukkari''
* 1985 ''[[Ketti Melam]]''
* 1985 ''Mappillai Singam''
* 1985 ''[[America Alludu]]'' (Telugu)
* 1985 ''Ragasiyam''
* 1985 ''[[Nermai]]''
* 1985 ''[[Paartha Gnabagam Illayo (film)|Partha Gnabagam Illayo]]''
* 1985 ''[[Yaar? (film)|Yaar?]]''
* 1985 ''[[Oru Malarin Payanam]]''
* 1985 ''[[Puthiya Sagaptham]]''
* 1985 ''[[Eetti (1985 film)|Eetti]]''
* 1985 ''[[Wafadaar]]'' (Hindi)
* 1985 ''Deivapiravi''
* 1985 ''Raja Yuvaraja''
* 1985 ''Paadum Vaam Paadi''
* 1985 ''Urimai''
* 1985 ''Vetrikkani''
* 1985 ''[[Ilamai]]''
* 1985 ''Sigappu Kili''
* 1985 ''Thalaimagan''
* 1985 ''[[Uyarndha Ullam]]''
* 1985 ''[[Mangamma Sabadham (1985 film)|Mangamma Sabadham]]''
* 1985 ''[[Nalla Thambi]]''
* 1985 ''Mookkanan Kayiru''
* 1985 ''[[Unnai Thedi Varuven]]''
* 1985 ''[[Ketti Melam]]''
* 1985 ''[[Arthamulla Aasaigal]]''
* 1985 ''[[Chinna Veedu]]''
* 1986 ''Engal Thaaikkulame Varuga''
* 1986 ''Prathidwani'' (Telugu)
* 1986 ''[[Dharma Devathai]]''
* 1986 ''[[Mr. Bharath]]''
* 1986 ''Maruthi'' (Telugu)
* 1986 [[Desoddharakudu|''Deshoddharakudu'']] (Telugu)
* 1986 ''Manchi Manasulu'' (Telugu)
* 1986 ''[[Kulirkaala Megangal]]''
* 1986 ''Kaalamellam Un Madiyil''
* 1986 ''[[Murattu Karangal]]''
* 1986 ''[[Santhi Nivasam (1986 film)|Shanthi Nivasam]]'' (Telugu)
* 1986 ''Kadaikkan Parvai''
* 1986 [[Brahmastram (1986 film)|''Brahmastram'']] (Telugu)
* 1986 ''[[Mounam Kalaikirathu]]''
* 1986 ''[[Naanum Oru Thozhilali]]''
* 1986 ''Jeevanadhi''
* 1986 ''[[Viduthalai (1986 film)|Viduthalai]]''
* 1987 ''[[Manithan (1987 film)|Manithan]]''
* 1987 ''[[Cooliekkaran]]''
* 1987 ''[[Shankar Guru (1987 film)|Shankar Guru]]''
* 1987 [[Sankar Guru (1987 film)|''Chinnari Devatha'']] (Telugu)
* 1987 ''Veera Pratap'' (Telugu)
* 1987 ''[[Anjatha Singam]]''
* 1987 ''[[Majaal]]'' (Hindi)
* 1987 ''[[Enga Chinna Rasa]]''
* 1987 ''[[Per Sollum Pillai]]''
* 1987 ''[[President Gari Abbai]]'' (Telugu)
* 1987 ''Marana Sasanam'' (Telugu)
* 1988 ''[[Guru Sishyan (1988 film)|Guru Sishyan]]''
* 1988 ''[[Paatti Sollai Thattathe]]''
* 1988 ''[[Idhu Namma Aalu (1988 film)|Idhu Namma Aalu]]''
* 1988 ''[[Senthoora Poove]]''
* 1988 ''[[Vasanthi (1988 film)|Vasanthi]]''
* 1988 ''Chinnodu Peddodu'' (Telugu)
* 1988 ''[[Dharmathin Thalaivan]]''
* 1988 ''[[Irandil Ondru]]''
* 1988 ''[[Manamagale Vaa]]''
* 1988 ''[[Kazhugumalai Kallan]]''
* 1989 ''[[Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal]]''
* 1989 ''[[Dravidan (1989 film)|Dravidan]]''
* 1989 ''[[Raja Chinna Roja]]''
* 1989 ''[[Sonthakkaran]]''
* 1989 ''Poola Rangadu (''Telugu'')''
* 1989 ''Dilly Babu''
* 1989 [[Baamma Maata Bangaru Baata|''Bamma Mata Bangaru Baata'']] (Telugu)
* 1989 ''Dharma Devan''
* 1989 ''[[Gair Kanooni]]'' (Hindi)
* 1989 ''[[Vaai Kozhuppu]]''
* 1989 ''[[En Rathathin Rathame]]''
* 1990 ''[[Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga]]''
* 1990 ''[[Amma Pillai]]''
* 1990 ''[[Athisaya Piravi]]''
* 1990 ''[[Pengal Veettin Kangal]]''
* 1990 ''[[Jeevan Ek Sanghursh]]'' (Hindi)
* 1990 ''Pudhu Varisu''
* 1990 ''[[Parampara (1990 film)|Parampara]]'' (Malayalam)
* 1990 ''Puttinti Pattu Cheera (''Telugu'')''
* 1990 ''Idem Pellam Baboi'' (Telugu)
* 1990 ''[[Engitta Mothathay]]''
* 1990 ''[[En Kadhal Kanmani]]''
* 1990 [[Guru Sishyulu (1990 film)|''Guru Sishyulu'']] (Telugu)
* 1990 ''[[Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal]]''
* 1990 ''[[Aatha Naan Pass Ayittaen]]''
* 1991 ''Nenjamundu Nermaiundu''
* 1991 ''Niyantha'' (Telugu)
* 1991 ''[[Sarpayagam]]'' (Telugu)
* 1992 ''Sakalakala Vandugal''
* 1992 ''[[Kaaval Geetham]]''
* 1992 ''[[Therku Theru Machan]]''
* 1992 ''[[Mudhal Kural]]''
* 1992 ''[[Pandiyan (film)|Pandiyan]]''
* 1994 ''Prema & Co'' (Telugu)
* 1995 ''[[Orey Rikshaw]]'' (Telugu)
* 1997 ''[[Rowdy Durbar]]'' (Telugu)
* 2014 ''[[Bonku Babu]]'' (Bengali)
* 2018 ''[[Aschhe Abar Shabor]]'' (Bengali)
{{colend}}

==Actor==
* 1959 ''[[Thamarai Kulam]]''
* 1963 ''[[Konjum Kumari]]''
* 2006 ''[[Thalainagaram]]''

==Producer==
* 1980 ''[[Othayadi Paathayilae]]''

==Awards and honours==
* 2013 [[Guinness Book of Records]] - [[Guinness World Record]] for working in more than 1200 films as a stunt coordinator.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thinaboomi.com/news/2014/05/25/21395.html |title=Judo. K. K. Rathnam takes place in the Guinness Books of Records |publisher=Thina Boomi |date=1 June 2013 |accessdate=3 March 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611013608/http://www.thinaboomi.com/news/2014/05/25/21395.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2016 [[Sankaradas Swamigal|Sankaradas Swamigal Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dinamani.com/all-editions/edition-chennai/tiruvannamalai/2016/dec/19/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B1-%E0%AE%9C%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8B-%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-2617761.html |title=Appreciation Ceremony conducted for Judo. K. K. Rathnam who had won Sankaradas Swamigal Award |publisher=Dina Mani |date=19 December 2016 |accessdate=3 March 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203122627/https://www.dinamani.com/all-editions/edition-chennai/tiruvannamalai/2016/dec/19/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B1-%E0%AE%9C%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8B-%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-2617761.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2019 [[Kalaimamani|Kalaimamani Awards]] from the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/010319/kalaimamani-awards-after-8-years-201-artistes-get-awards.html |title=Kalaimamani awards after 8 years: 201 artistes get awards |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=1 March 2019 |accessdate=3 March 2020 |archive-date=21 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621101433/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/010319/kalaimamani-awards-after-8-years-201-artistes-get-awards.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=2530079|name=Judo. K. K. Rathnam}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rathnam, Judo. K. K.}}
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian action choreographers]]
[[Category:Male actors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:People from Vellore district]]

Judo Rathnam - Revision history

Pururava at 16:55, 6 May 2026