Ashok Vijayakumar at 22:46, 4 May 2026

2026-05-04T22:46:09Z

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{{Short description|Indian actor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Karate Raja
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_name = Natarajan<ref name="S">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/movies/udyama-simham-movie-audio-launch-1135834|title=జీవితాంతం గుర్తుండిపోతుంది|date=18 November 2018|website=Sakshi}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1978|01|19}}
| birth_place = Chidambaram
| death_date =
| death_place =
| othername =
| occupation = [[actor]]
| yearsactive = 1997–present
| spouse =
| website =
}}

'''Karate Raja''' is an Indian [[actor]] who has worked in predominantly Tamil-language films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://srilankamuslims.lk/%E0%AE%9C%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%BF/|title=ஜும்மாவின் பின்னர் புனித இஸ்லாத்தை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டார் நடிகர் கராத்தே ராஜா. » Sri Lanka Muslim|website=srilankamuslims.lk|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327153003/http://srilankamuslims.lk/%E0%AE%9C%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%BF/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his breakthrough as an actor by playing a supporting role in [[Kamal Haasan]]'s ''[[Virumaandi]]'' (2004), before garnering acclaim for playing the lead role of [[Veerappan]] in the serial ''Sandhan Kaadu'' on [[Makkal TV]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/sequel-to-veerappan-drama-tv-serial-looks-at-human-side/225744/2|title=Sequel to Veerappan drama, TV serial looks at human side - Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.filmibeat.com/specials/sandanakadu-an-attempt-to-unravel-veerappan-070107.html|title=வீரப்பன் வாழ்க்கை மர்மத்தை அவிழ்க்கும் சந்தனக்காடு!|date=7 January 2008|website=Filmibeat}}</ref>

== Career ==
Natarajan made his breakthrough as an actor with his role in [[Kamal Haasan]]'s ''[[Virumaandi]]'' (2004). He was given the name Karate Raja by Haasan.<ref name="S"/> He subsequently appeared in two more popular Tamil films that year, ''[[Ghilli]]'' (2004) and ''[[Vasool Raja MBBS]]'' (2004). Raja later appeared in films including [[Prabhu Deva]]'s ''[[Pokkiri]]'' (2007) and the horror comedy, ''[[Ambuli]]'' (2012).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/supporting-actor/karate-raja|title=Kollywood Supporting Actor Karate Raja Biography, News, Photos, Videos|website=nettv4u}}</ref> He played a notable role in ''[[Varnam (2011 film)|Varnam]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite magazine |date=28 November 2008|title=மீசை|trans-title=Moustache|url=http://varnamthemovie.com/pdf/dhinathanthi28Nov2008.pdf|magazine=Dina Thanthi}}</ref> He played [[Kishore (actor, born 1974)|Kishore]]'s brother in ''[[Thiruvambadi Thamban]]'' (2012).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kerala9.com/news-category/news/movie-news/tamil-actor-karate-raja-accepts-islam|title=Tamil actor Karate Raja accepts Islam - Kerala9.com|date=31 March 2015|website=Kerala9|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228151701/http://www.kerala9.com/news-category/news/movie-news/tamil-actor-karate-raja-accepts-islam|url-status=dead}}</ref> He played the lead role of [[K. Chandrashekar Rao]] in the Telugu-language film ''Udyama Simham'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/udyama-simham-the-first-look-of-kcr-biopic-launched/articleshow/66602318.cms|title='Udyama Simham': The first look of KCR biopic launched|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-cm-k-chandrasekhar-rao-biopic-gets-youtube-release-now/articleshow/68731428.cms|title=Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao 'biopic' gets YouTube release now |website=The Times of India}}</ref>

On television, Karate Raja notably portrayed the lead role of [[Veerappan]] in the serial ''Sandhana Kaadu'' on Makkal TV during 2008. The directors spent three years on researching about the life of Veerappan and then spent 110 days in the forest and shoot in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nettv4u.com/about/Tamil/tv-serials/sandhana-kaadu|title=125 Episodes of Sandhana Kaadu Tamil Television Serial|website=nettv4u}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://twocircles.net/2007oct10/veerappans_wife_seek_ban_tv_serial.html|title=Veerappan's wife to seek ban on a TV serial|date=10 October 2007}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Karate Raja married Divya in July 2009 and has three daughters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/ghilli-movie-actor-karate-raja-family/|title=கில்லி பட வில்லன் நடிகரின் அழகான குடும்பம். புகைப்படம் இதோ.|date=29 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/july-09-03/karate-raja-15-07-09.html|title=Vijay's favorite ties the knot - Behindwoods.com - Tamil Movie News - Vijay Karate Raja Kamal Hassan|website=www.behindwoods.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemapettai.com/killi-movie-raja-wife-latest-picture/|title=கில்லி படத்தின் வில்லன் மனைவி யாருன்னு தெரியுமா.! புகைப்படம் உள்ளே|date=3 March 2018}}</ref> In August 2014, Karate Raja filed a complaint to the police that his wife was missing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/state/cinema-actors-wife-missing-in-chennai-158000|title=నటుడి భార్య అదృశ్యం|date=15 August 2014|website=Sakshi}}</ref> He later suggested that the pair had marital problems and only lived together for a few days on most months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatandhra.com/movies/movie-news/actors-wife-is-missing-58992.html|title=Actor's wife is missing|website=Great Andhra}}</ref>

==Filmography ==
===Tamil films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Role !! class=unsortable| Notes
|-
| 1997 || ''[[Nerrukku Ner]]'' || Suriya's friend || Uncredited role
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Citizen (2001 film)|Citizen]]'' || Arivanandam MLA's friend || Uncredited role
|-
| rowspan="4"|2004 || ''[[Virumaandi]]'' || Virumaandi's friend ||
|-
| ''[[Ghilli]]'' || Muthupandi's henchman ||
|-
| ''[[Madhurey]]'' || Kumarasamy ||
|-
| ''[[Vasool Raja MBBS]]'' || Raja's sidekick ||
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2005 || ''[[Thirupaachi]]'' || Balu's henchman ||
|-
| ''[[Kannamma (film)|Kannamma]]'' || Babu ||
|-
| ''[[Anbe Vaa (2005 film)|Anbe Vaa]]'' || Gaja ||
|-
| ''[[Ghajini (2005 film)|Ghajini]]'' || Lakshman's henchman || Uncredited role<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghajini - Full Movie {{!}} Suriya {{!}} Asin {{!}} Nayantara {{!}} A.R. Murugadoss {{!}} Harris Jayaraj {{!}} HD 1080p |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1heSGaIFaVc&t=707s |website=YouTube |date=13 August 2015 |time=11:47 |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=4 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304053724/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1heSGaIFaVc&t=707s |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Bambara Kannaley]]'' || ||
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Aathi]]'' || Sadha ||
|-
| rowspan="3" |2007|| ''[[Pokkiri]]'' || Tamizh's friend ||
|-
| ''[[Piragu]]'' || David ||
|-
| ''[[Sivaji (film)|Sivaji]]'' ||Adiseshan then Sivaji's henchman||
|-
| rowspan="3"|2008 || ''[[Madurai Ponnu Chennai Paiyan]]'' || Maruthupandi ||
|-
| ''[[Pattaya Kelappu]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Suryaa (film)|Suryaa]]'' || Police Officer ||
|-
| rowspan="3"|2009 || ''[[Padikkadavan (2009 film)|Padikkadavan]]'' || Bhaskar ||
|-
| ''[[Thoranai]]'' || Rowdy || Bilingual film
|-
| ''[[Unnaipol Oruvan (2009 film)|Unnaipol Oruvan]]'' || Ahmedallah || Bilingual film
|-
| rowspan="5"|2010 || ''[[Kacheri Arambam]]'' || Sivamani's sidekick ||
|-
| ''[[Sura (film)|Sura]]'' || Accused ||
|-
| ''[[Pa. Ra. Palanisamy]]'' || Johnson ||
|-
| ''[[Veluthu Kattu]]'' || Rasu Minor ||
|-
| ''[[Aarvam]]''||Aadhi
|-
| rowspan="2"|2011 || ''[[Varnam (2011 film)|Varnam]]'' || Muniyandi ||
|-
| ''[[Osthe]]'' || Daniel's henchman ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2012 || ''[[Ambuli]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Ishtam (2012 film)|Ishtam]]'' || Shankar ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2013 || ''Sokkali'' || ||
|-
| ''Bhuvanakkadu'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="4"|2014 || ''Angusam'' || Anthony || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2014/may/12/one-mans-fight-against-the-system-611607.html | title=One man's fight against the system }}</ref>
|-
|''[[Vetri Selvan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Poojai]]'' || Annathandavam's henchman ||
|-
| '' Sokku Sundaram'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="4"|2015 || ''[[Sandamarutham]]'' || Bhaskar ||
|-
| ''[[En Vazhi Thani Vazhi (2015 film)|En Vazhi Thani Vazhi]]'' || City Babu ||
|-
| ''[[Soan Papdi (film)|Soan Papdi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Palakkattu Madhavan]]'' || Pattu Maami's son ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2016 || ''[[Oyee]]'' || Babu ||
|-
| ''Pudhusa Naan Poranthen'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="3"|2017 || ''Vaanga Vaanga'' || ||
|-
| ''Saaya'' || ||
|-
| ''Pannam Pathinonnum Seyum'' || ||
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Mannar Vagaiyara]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019 || ''[[Rocky: The Revenge]]'' || Police Officer ||
|-
| ''I-R 8'' || ||
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Naan Mirugamaai Maara]]'' ||Rathinam ||
|-
| rowspan="3" |2023 || ''[[Kodai (film)|Kodai]]'' || Madhan ||
|-
| ''[[Theerkadarishi]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Terror'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2024 || ''[[Pambattam]]'' || Police officer ||
|-
| ''Kolai Thooram'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Park (2024 film)|Park]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Dhil Raja]]'' || ||
|-
|''Orea Peachu Orea Mudivu'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2025 || ''Yaman Kattalai '' || ||
|-
|''[[Padaiyaanda Maaveeraa]]'' || Veerappan ||
|-
| ''[[Pagal Kanavu]]'' || ||
|}

=== Other language films ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Role !! Language !! class=unsortable| Notes
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Bangaram (film)|Bangaram]]'' || Bhooma Reddy's henchman || [[Telugu language|Telugu]] ||
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Sketch (2007 film)|Sketch]]'' || Narendra Shetty || [[Malayalam]] ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2009 || ''[[Thoranai|Pistha]]'' || Rowdy || rowspan="2"| Telugu || rowspan="2"|Bilingual films
|-
| ''[[Unnaipol Oruvan (2009 film)|Eenadu]]'' || Ahmedallah
|-
| rowspan="2"|2010 || ''[[Lahore (film)|Lahore]]'' || C. Subramaniam || [[Hindi]] ||
|-
| ''[[Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)|Pokkiri Raja]]'' || Raja's Henchman || rowspan="2"|Malayalam ||
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Thiruvambadi Thamban]]'' || Shiva ||
|-
| 2019 || ''Udyama Simham'' || [[K. Chandrashekar Rao]] || Telugu || Lead role
|-
|}

== Television ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Serial/Program
!Role
!Channel
|-
|2007
|''Sandhanakaadu''
|[[Veerappan]]
|[[Makkal TV]]
|-
|2017
|''[[Sembaruthi]]''
|Durai Manikkam
|[[Zee Tamil]]
|-
|2021
|''Vidhya No. 1''
|Manickam
|[[Zee Tamil]]
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|2205359}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raja, Karate}}
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:1978 births]]

Karate Raja - Revision history

Ashok Vijayakumar at 22:46, 4 May 2026