G. M. Kumar

• Name — G. M. Kumar • Born — 26 July 1957 • Birthplace — Madras, Madras State (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu), India • Birth Name — Govindraj Manoharan Kumar • Occupation — Actor, Film director, producer, writer • Years Active — 1986–present

G. M. Kumar was born in 1957 in Avadi. As a child he got the chance to view many films. He worked in the film industry as an assistant director to K. Bhagyaraj. He worked with Livingston and R.P.Vishwam for movies like Kakki Sattai and Kanni Rasi.

Kumar debuted in films by directing Sivaji Productions' Aruvadai Naal (1986) with Prabhu in the lead role. The film won good reviews and fetched Kumar several offers to make more films. His next two directorial ventures, Pickpocket and Uruvam, were disasters. The film Irumbu Pookal's music did well as two songs were composed by M.S.Viswanathan, however the film failed at the box office. Thus his market value significantly diminished and he only went to make three more films despite his initial success. His decision to produce and direct Uruvam became a financial failure and put him into bankruptcy. He ended up making his acting debut as a villain in Bharathiraja's Captain Magal (1992), before disappearing to make documentaries and to study anthropology. In the early 2000s, he was once again on the verge of bankruptcy and chose to act in minor roles offered by his protege Raj Kapoor, in films including Ramchandra and the unreleased Sivalingam IPS. He expressed his surprise at being given an offer by Shankar's production house and took up the role in Veyil (2006) to make ends meet, winning acclaim for his role. Bala approached him to star in Avan Ivan as a character called Highness, with his performance winning him a nomination for the Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor. Critics labelled his performance as "riveting", though the film only received average reviews.

• Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1993 — Captain Magal — Kumar "GM" • 2002 — Kadhal Virus — Himself • 2003 — Ramachandra — Kumar • 2005 — Thotti Jaya • 2006 — Veyil — Mayandi Thevar • 2007 — Machakaaran — Rajangam • Malaikottai — Kumar Annan • 2008 — Aayudham Seivom — Annaachi • Kuruvi — Bhai • 2009 — Mayandi Kudumbathar — Virumandi • Thee — J.P. • 2010 — Maathi Yosi • Milaga — Azhagar's father • 2011 — Avargalum Ivargalum — Chinnasamy • Avan Ivan — Zamindar Thirthapathi (Highness) — Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor • Vellore Maavattam — Muthukumar's father • Sankarankovil • 2013 — Chandhamama — J. Kanthan • 2014 — Thenaliraman — Chief Minister • Appuchi Gramam — Nallamuthu • 2015 — Sandamarutham — Surya's grandfather • Thoppi — Suruttu Saamy • Agathinai — Ayanaru's father • 2016 — Tharai Thappattai — Samipulavan • Ennama Katha Vudranunga • 2017 — Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen — Veerasingam's father-in-law • Thirappu Vizha • Enbathettu • Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 — Chettiyar • Kida Virundhu • 2018 — Jarugandi — Warden Rajaram • Chalo — Zamindar — Telugu film • 2019 — Naan Avalai Sandhitha Pothu — Kumari's father • 2021 — Chidambaram Railwaygate • Karnan — Dhuriyodhanan • 2022 — Radha Krishna — Tribal Group leader • Pattathu Arasan • 2023 — Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam — Village Head — Malayalam film • Bommai Nayagi — Velu's father • Pallu Padama Paathukka — A blind rich man • Burqa — Vaapa • 2024 — Nandhan — Periyayya • 2025 — Kumaara Sambavam — Kumaran's grandfather • 2026 — Demonte Colony 3 — TBA — Post-production

• Year — Film — Director — Writer — Notes • 1985 — Kanni Rasi — Screenplay • Kakki Sattai — Story • 1986 — Aruvadai Naal — Screenplay • 1989 — Pickpocket • 1990 — My Dear Marthandan — Story • 1991 — Irumbu Pookkal • Uruvam

• Year — Title — Role(s) — Notes — Reference(s) • 2017 — Devathayai Kanden — Vasudevan's grandfather • 2020 — Poove Unakkaga — Shankaralingam • 2021 — Sembaruthi — Aadhikadavur" Aadhi Parameswaran • November Story — Ganeshan • 2022–present — Peranbu • 2022 — Paper Rocket — Grandfather