judo. KK Rathnam (1930-2023) was a stunt artist, stunt director and actor who made over 1500 films in a career spanning over 5 decades. He holds the world record for the most films as a stunt artist or stunt director and for directing the most fight scenes for the most actors. He has worked in Tollywood, Mollywood, Kollywood and Bollywood. He directed fight scenes in almost every Tollywood film in the 1960s and 1970s.
Wiki/Biography
judo. KK Rathnam aka KK Rathnam was born on Friday 8 August 1930 in Gudiyatham (then Madras Presidency), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, British India (now India) (died aged 92) hour). His zodiac sign is Leo. He was physically weak growing up and had no interest in judo. Once when he went to work in a factory, he was asked if he would work the night shift because he didn’t look very strong. Hearing this, he became angry and started physical training to achieve good physical condition. He learned Taekwondo from “Mahabharat” Masilamani, boxing from South Indian boxing champion Paramashivan, judo from G. Ramu, yoga from Thangavelu, and also from Soviet-trained Ranganathan. Once, while practicing for a regional collection project, he was discovered by screenwriter Mugavai Rajamanickam. Mugawai convinced him to star in the film.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′10″
Weight (approximately): 70kg
Hair color: salt and pepper (semi-bald)
Eye color: black
family
wife and children
His first wife was named Padma and his second wife was named R. Govindammal. They died on November 15, 2013. He has eight children, including six daughters. His son is judo. KK Ramu was also a stunt master while his grandsons Judo Lenin and John Prince were stunt artists.
judo. KK Rathnam and his wife R. Govindammal
Profession
Movie
judo. KK Rathnam made his debut as an actor in the film Tamaraik Kulam directed by Mukta V Siniwan on the recommendation of screenwriter Mugavai Rajamanickam. In 1966, he made his debut as a stunt director in the film Vallavan Oruvan directed by R. Sundaram, directing the judo fight scenes for Jaishankar-Manohar. This fight scene caused a lot of buzz among fans and he became very famous. Modern Theater President RR Sundaram conferred on him the status of “My Guru” through this film and the Forum of Tamil Arts and Literature conferred on him the title of “Judo”. Rathnam has done over 1500 films including 49 films with Rajinikanth, 16 films with Kamal Haasan, 69 films with Kannada Rajkumar, 4 films with Amitabh Bachchan and 16 films with NTR a movie. He has worked as a stunt artist and stunt director in films in more than 9 languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English. He also produced the film Othiyadi Pathayile, directed by Professor AS Prakasam and starring famous music director Shankar Ganesh, which was released in 1980. Films in which he worked as a stunt director include Thangakopuram, Vallavan to Vallavan, Two Valavars, Prisoner of Kannaila, The Bridegroom, Almighty Valavan, Drifting Tiger, Red Sun, Roaring Bull, Gayatri, Thangeko · Githam, Usha Thiel Alive, Tirupam and Sleepless Brothers. He directed many iconic fight scenes such as the train fight scene in Rajinikanth’s film Muratkugu. His last film as an actor was “Thalayanagaram” released in 2006.
judo. KK Rathnam’s fight scenes in the movie
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- 2013: Guinness World Record for more than 1,200 films as stunt coordinator
- 2016: Sankaradas Swamigal Award
- 2019: Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu
die
judo. KK Rathnam passed away on January 26, 2023 at the age of 92 in his hometown Gudiyatham in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Many paid tribute to him, including Rajinikanth, Vijay, Ajith Kumar and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, who took to Twitter to express condolences for his contribution to the film industry.
பழம்பெரும்சண்டைப்பயிற்சியாளரானதிரு. ஜூடோ ரத்னம் அவர்கள் உயிரிழந்தார் என்ற செய்தி அறிந்துமிகவும்வேதனையடைந்தேன்.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/YHuho3lWvc
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) January 27, 2023
Facts/Trivia
- Stunt masters and actors like Vikram Dharma, Super Subbarayan, Thalapathy Dinesh, Jaguar Thangam, Rambo Rajkumar, FEFSI Vijayan, Ponnambalam, Judo. KK Ramu, India Bhaskar, Rajasekhar, Amber. RS Babu and M. Shahul Hameed served as his warriors and assistants.
- He also holds the Guinness World Record for performing stunts for 63 heroes.
- He was inspired by communist principles and was an active member of the Marxist Communist Party.
- Judo KK Ratnam has written a confession letter to Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. He said the Kalamamani Award has not been awarded to him yet and demanded that it be awarded to him.
- In 2013, he published his autobiography “Thamaraikulam Two Capitals”.
- His nicknames are Kalaichelvan and Rudhranagam.
- judo. KK Rathnam said in an interview that he injured Rajinikanth’s neck while practicing the ancient martial art of Silambam.
judo. The fight scene between KK Rathnam (right) and Rajinikanth
- In August 2021, thieves stole 15 expensive silk sarees, 1/2 kg of silverware, 2 expensive Rolex watches and Rs 10 lakh in cash. 20,000 from his home in Periyapa Mudali Street, Dalanapetkudiattam.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education