It can be nothing but bad luck that has prevented Shanthanu Bhagyaraj from reaching greater heights in the film industry. He is good-looking and extremely talented but the big hit has remained out of reach for him.
The son of star couple K. Bhagyaraj and Poornima, Shanthanu was born on 24 August 1986.
He made his acting debut as a child star in the 1998 film Vettiyai Madichu Katti directed by his father. After working as an assistant director to his father in Parijatham, he made his adult debut in Kala Prabhu’s Sakkarakatti. Despite the strongly negative reaction to the film, Shanthanu won the Best Male Debut Actor at the Filmfare Awards and later the Vijay Awards.
He pinned a lot of hope on Siddu +2 directed by his father, but this film also failed at the box-office. His subsequent films – Aaayiram Villakku, Ammavin Kaipesi and Vaaimai suffered a similar fate.
He missed out on roles in Boys, Subramaniyapuram and Kalavani which were offered to him but which he declined.
R. Parthiban wanted to turn the tide with Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga as a tribute to his Guru, K. Bhagyaraj and cast Shanthanu in the lead role. The role won him positive reviews, but this was not converted to box-office success.
Roles in Mani Ratnam’s Vaanam Kottattum. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vijay starrer Master, Simbhu Deven’s Kasada Thapara and Srijar’s comedy Murangakkai Chips demonstrated his versatility and acting prowess, but his big break is yet to come.
His bilingual film Balti – in Malayalam and Tamil – is set to release soon.
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