Udhayanidhi Stalin
Udhayanidhi Stalin (born 27 November 1977) is an Indian film producer, actor, and politician who prominently works in the Tamil cinema. He was appointed as Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Special act implementation Department of Tamil Nadu in the ministry led by his father the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin. He is a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, representing the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency.[1]
Udhayanidhi Stalin | |
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![]() Udhayanidhi in 2021 | |
Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Government of Tamil Nadu | |
Assumed office 14 December 2022 | |
Chief Minister | M. K. Stalin |
Preceded by | Siva. V. Meyyanathan |
Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | |
Assumed office 11 May 2021 | |
Preceded by | J. Anbazhagan |
Constituency | Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni |
Youth wing Secretary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | |
Assumed office 4 July 2019 | |
President | M. K. Stalin |
General Secretary | |
Preceded by | M. P. Saminathan |
Personal details | |
Born | Alwarpet, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India | 27 November 1977
Political party | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Parent |
|
Relatives | See Karunanidhi family |
Alma mater | Loyola College, Chennai |
Occupation |
|
He entered the film industry as a producer and distributor with his production studio Red Giant Movies, making films including Kuruvi (2008), Aadhavan (2009), Manmadan Ambu (2010) and 7aum Arivu (2011). He subsequently made his debut as an actor in the romantic comedy, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012) and has since continued producing and starring in his own films.[2]
Early life and family
Udhayanidhi Stalin is the son of M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and the grandson of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi. He attended Don Bosco school and has a degree in Visual Communications from Loyola College in Chennai.[3][4][5] Several of his relatives have been actively involved in politics, and Tamil cinema since the 1950s. His cousins Arulnithi and Dayanidhi Azhagiri are actor and producer, respectively.[6]
Film career
Udhayanidhi's first film as a producer with Red Giant Movies was Kuruvi (2008), starring Vijay and Trisha.[7] He also produced two films directed by K. S. Ravikumar, Aadhavan (2009) and Manmadan Ambu (2010).[8][9] He produced AR Murugadoss's science fiction film 7aum Arivu (2011), while also working as a distributor, achieving success through his four 2010 releases: Gautham Vasudev Menon's Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa,[10] A. L. Vijay's Madrasapattinam,[11] M. Rajesh's Boss Engira Bhaskaran[12] and Prabhu Solomon's Mynaa.[13]

In 2012, he debuted as a lead actor in M. Rajesh's romantic comedy Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012), co-starring with Hansika Motwani and Santhanam. Stalin received positive reviews for his performance of an unemployed youth. Behindwoods noted: "Udhay's portrayal of Saravanan is neat and enjoyable. He scored well in his debut supported Santhanam well in the film", while Sify.com added: "Udhay's debut is promising and hats off to him to underplay his role".[14][15] Stalin won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance.[16] The success of Oru Kal Oru Kannadi prompted Stalin to continue acting and he appeared in Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal (2014) and Nanbenda (2015), both films featuring him opposite Nayanthara.[17][18] He worked on Gethu (2016), with Amy Jackson[19] and then performed in the courtroom drama Manithan (2016), with Hansika Motwani, a remake of the Hindi film Jolly LLB.[20]
In 2017, he has worked in the comedy entertainer Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen from director Ezhil,[21] followed by Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam [22] and action thriller, Ippadai Vellum. Stalin has delivered a decent performance with his share of subtleness.[23] The next project was the drama Nimir (2018), a remake of Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaram directed by Priyadarshan[24] then following the romantic drama, Kanne Kalaimaane.[25]
In 2020, he appeared in Mysskin's Psycho which is a dive into the psyche of a serial killer.[26] In 2022, he play as IPS officer in Nenjuku Needhi, remake of the Hindi film Article 15.[27] Then, Udhayanidhi starred in Magizh Thirumeni’s generic thriller Kalaga Thalaivan.[28]
Political career
2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

Udhayanidhi Stalin's fierce campaign across Tamil Nadu has helped the DMK party secure a major win in the assembly elections. His AIIMS Brick remark changed the course of the Tamil Nadu election campaign.[29]
Udhayanidhi Stalin contested and won in the Chepauk – Thiruvallikeni Assembly Constituency in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.[30]
Chepauk – Thiruvallikeni MLA
Udhayanidhi Stalin introduced a robotic sewer cleaner in his constituency of Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni for the first time in Tamil Nadu on 21 June 2021.[31]
Udhayanidhi Stalin was nominated as a member of Anna University's Syndicate for a period of three years. The announcement was made by Speaker M. Appavu in the Assembly on 13 September 2021.[32][33]
Minister
Udhayanidhi Stalin sworn in as minister in Youth Welfare and Sports Development, in his father’s cabinet in Tamil Nadu on 14 December 2022.[34]
Electoral performance
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DMK | Udhayanidhi Stalin | 93,285 | 68.92% | 21.60% | |
PMK | Kassali A. V. A | 23,930 | 17.68% | ||
NTK | Jayasimmaraja S M | 9,193 | 6.79% | 5.53% | |
IJK | Mohammed Idris K | 4,096 | 3.03% | ||
NOTA | Nota | 2,061 | 1.52% | -0.91% | |
AMMK | Rajendran L | 1,873 | 1.38% | ||
BSP | Raghu C | 723 | 0.53% | 0.30% | |
Margin of victory | 69,355 | 51.24% | 41.38% | ||
Turnout | 135,344 | 57.82% | -4.47% | ||
Rejected ballots | 78 | 0.06% | |||
Registered electors | 234,067 | ||||
DMK hold | Swing | 21.60% |
Personal life
Udhayanidhi is married to Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi in 2002 and the couple have a son and a daughter. Currently, Kiruthiga heads the lifestyle magazine Inbox 1305.[35][36] She also directed the film Vanakkam Chennai (2013) for Red Giant Movies and Kaali (2018).[37][38] His son Inban Udhayanidhi has signed for NEROCA FC football club which plays in the I-League.[39][40] Udhayanidhi is an atheist.[41]
Filmography
![]() |
Denotes films that have not yet been released |
As actor
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Aadhavan | Servant | Guest appearance |
2012 | Oru Kal Oru Kannadi | Saravanan | Also producer SIIMA Award for Best Male Debutant Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Newcomer Actor |
2013 | Vanakkam Chennai | Flat Tenant | Guest appearance |
2014 | Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal | Kathirvelan | Also producer |
2015 | Nannbenda | Sathya | Also producer |
2016 | Gethu | Sethu | Also producer |
Manithan | Sakthivel | Also producer | |
2017 | Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen | Saravanan | Also producer |
Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam | Ganesh | ||
Ippadai Vellum | Madhusoodhanan | ||
2018 | Nimir | Selvam | |
2019 | Kanne Kalaimaane | Kamala Kannan | Also producer |
2020 | Psycho | Gautham | |
2022 | Nenjuku Needhi | S. Vijayaraghavan | |
Kalaga Thalaivan | Thirumaaran | ||
2023 | Kannai Nambathey | Arun | [42] |
Maamannan ![]() | TBA | Filming[43] |
As producer
Year | Film | Notes |
---|---|---|
2008 | Kuruvi | |
2009 | Aadhavan | |
2010 | Manmadan Ambu | |
2011 | 7aum Arivu | |
2012 | Neerparavai | |
2013 | Vanakkam Chennai | |
2023 | Indian 2 ![]() |
Filming[44] |
As distributor
Year | Film | Notes |
---|---|---|
2010 | Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa | |
2010 | Madrasapattinam | |
2010 | Boss Engira Bhaskaran | |
2010 | Mynaa | |
2019 | Bakrid | |
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | |
2022 | Radhe Shyam | Tamil version |
2022 | Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal | |
2022 | Beast | |
2022 | Don | |
2022 | Vikram | |
2022 | Cobra | |
2022 | Captain | |
2022 | Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu | |
2022 | Ponniyin Selvan: I | |
2022 | Love Today | |
2023 | Thunivu | |
2023 | Ponniyin Selvan: II |
References
- "Tamil Nadu: Udhayanidhi Stalin wins big, cements claim to political legacy". D Govardan. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- "Redgiant Movies". redgiantmovies.in.
- Govardan, D (20 March 2021). "Tamil Nadu: 7 alumni from Egmore Don Bosco school in fray for assembly election". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- Subramanian, Lakshmi (25 September 2010). "Udhayanidhi Stalin: Right Heir, Right Now". India Today. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- "மேயர் மகன்". Kalki (in Tamil). 12 January 1997. pp. 8–10. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- "Arulnithi Tamilarasu Blessed With Baby Boy!". JFW Online. 26 October 2016.
- "Vijay fans will love Kuruvi". Rediff.com.
- "Aadhavan – Tamil Movie Reviews – Suriya Nayanthara Ramesh Kanna Vadivelu K.S.Ravikumar Udhayanidhi Stalin Harris Jayaraj – Behindwoods.com". behindwoods.com.
- "MANMADHAN AMBU MOVIE REVIEW – TAMIL MOVIE MANMADHAN AMBU MOVIE REVIEW". behindwoods.com.
- "Silambarasan – Tamil Movie News – Red Giant's plan for Silambarasan – Silambarasan | Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya – Behindwoods.com". behindwoods.com.
- "Red Giant Movies will be releasing Vijay's Saivam". behindwoods.com.
- "Boss Engira Baskaran Malayalam Movie Preview cinema review stills gallery trailer video clips showtimes". IndiaGlitz.com.
- "Mynaa தமிழ் Movie Preview cinema review stills gallery trailer video clips showtimes". IndiaGlitz.com.
- "Review : Oru Kal Oru Kannadi". Sify.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- "Oru Kal Oru Kannadi Review – Oru Kal Oru Kannadi Movie Review". Behindwoods. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (1 September 2012). "OKOK: Immensely watchable fare". The Hindu.
- "Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal (aka) Ithu Kathirvelan Kadhal review". behindwoods.com.
- "Nanbenda (aka) Nannbenda review". behindwoods.com.
- Srinivasan, Sudhir (14 January 2016). "Gethu: A beautifully shot thriller that isn't particularly thrilling". The Hindu.
- Saraswathi, S. "Review: Manithan is a poor imitation of Jolly LLB". Rediff.
- "Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen Review: A mundane comedy entertainer". Sify. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017.
- "Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam review. Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam Tamil movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com.
- "Ippadai Vellum (aka) Ippadai Velum review". Behindwoods. 9 November 2017.
- Menon, Vishal (26 January 2018). "'Nimir' review: A 'sole'less remake". The Hindu.
- Kirubhakar Purushothaman (22 February 2019). "Kanne Kalaimane movie review: Udhayanidhi Stalin and Tamannaah shine in optimistic romantic drama". India Today.
- "Psycho movie review: Mysskin's film succeeds in humanizing a serial killer". Hindustan Times. 24 January 2020.
- "Nenjuku Needhi (Aka) Nenjuku Neethi review". 20 May 2022.
- S, Srivatsan (18 November 2022). "'Kalaga Thalaivan' movie review: A passive Udhayanidhi Stalin in Magizh Thirumeni's generic thriller". The Hindu.
- "The brick that changed the course of the Tamil Nadu election campaign".
- The Times of India, D. Govardan / TNN / (3 May 2021). "Tamil Nadu: Udhayanidhi Stalin wins big, cements claim to political legacy | Chennai News". Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- "Robotic sewer-cleaner launched in Chepauk".
- "அண்ணா பல்கலை. ஆட்சி மன்றக்குழு உறுப்பினராக உதயநிதி நியமனம்!". nakkheeran. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- "Udhayanithi Stalin gets additional post as a member of Board of Governors of Anna University". dtNext.in. 13 September 2021. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- "Udhayanidhi Stalin sworn in as Tamil Nadu minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development".
- "Kollywood Director Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u.
- "Inbox 1305 celebrates its first anniversary". The New Indian Express.
- "Vanakkam Chennai Movie Review Vanakkam Chennai, வணக்கம் சென்னை விமர்சனம்". behindwoods.com.
- "Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi's Kaali: What Works, What Doesn't". 18 May 2018.
- "Popular Indian football club signs Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's grandson Inban Udhayanidhi". The New Indian Express. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- "A goal away from politics for Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's grandson Inban Udhayanidhi". The Times of India. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- "I'm an atheist, my daughter wanted a photo: Udhay Stalin on Vinayagar idol tweet". The News Minute. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- "Kannai Nambathey Movie Review: Kannai Nambathey falters despite a thrilling setup". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- "First Shooting Schedule of Mari Selvaraj's Maamannan Wrapped". News18. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- "Indian 2 update: Kamal Haasan, Shankar finally march past multiple obstacles". Cinema Express. 24 August 2022. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
External links
