The history of Tamil cinema is filled with stories of rags to riches, but none as fascinating as the rise of Rangaraj an aspiring actor who became Sathyaraj a henchman of the main villain in numerous films before becoming a dreaded villain himself in ‘Nooravathu Naal’ after which there was no turning back. His catch phrases like "Thagudu thagudu","Yennamma Kannu sowkiyama" and "Yen characteraiye purinchikka mattendringale" became a rage and continue to be his signature.

When Sathyaraj first played the hero in a musical ‘Rasigan Oru Rasigai’ in 1986 few would have thought he could make the transition, but he did that with great success and continued to make rapid strides as a leading man .  The Puratchi Tamizhan as he came to be known as has excelled in romance , 'Jiiva', 'Brahmma', comedy 'Nadigan', 'Pudhu Padagan', 'Englishkaaran' and many others, political satire ‘Amaidhi Padai’ which is the mother of them all, 'action 'Airport', 'Puthiyha Vaanam', 'Jallikattu' and the quintessential leading man 'Walter Vetrivel'.    He cemented his place as the most sought after hero in the Rajini, Kamal, Vijayakanth, Prabhu and Karthick era. 

Sathyaraj's transition to character roles has been with his assured stride and  has awed the current generation in ‘Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam', 'Raja Rani', 'Nanban' and the 'Baahubali' phenomenon.  His continued no holds barred support to social issues and causes define his identity as a Periyar follower and is a guiding light to the younger generation.  We take this opportunity to wish  the evergreen ‘Mersal’ star Sathyaraj a happy birthday and many more years of health and happiness..