Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan, born on February 20, 1986, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is an acclaimed Indian actor who has made his mark in Tamil cinema with his natural performances and versatility. A graduate in Computer Applications from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kalaiyarasan began his professional life far from the film sets — working at IT giant Accenture. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Priya Shanker.

Though he had no film background, his passion for acting led him to pursue opportunities in the industry. His first project was Arjunan Kadhali (2008), which unfortunately never released. He soon began collaborating with director Mysskin, whom he considers a mentor, working in Nandalala (2010) and Mugamoodi (2012). Small but notable roles followed, including appearances in Pa. Ranjith’s Attakathi (2012) and Vikram Sugumaran’s Madha Yaanai Koottam (2013).

Kalaiyarasan’s breakthrough came with Pa. Ranjith’s Madras (2014), where his portrayal of Anbu — a loyal friend caught in political rivalry — earned him critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. The film’s success opened doors to bigger projects, including a pivotal role in Rajinikanth’s Kabali (2016) as a vengeful schoolteacher.

He soon transitioned into lead roles with films like Darling 2 (2016), Raja Manthiri (2016), and the critically praised Adhe Kangal (2017), where he played a blind chef. His career has since spanned diverse genres, from thrillers like Yeidhavan to sports dramas like Sarpatta Parambarai (2021), where he played Vetriselvan, a role that further cemented his reputation as a committed performer.

Kalaiyarasan has also explored web series, appearing in Sengalam (2023), and continues to balance mainstream and content-driven cinema. Known for his grounded screen presence and dedication to his craft, he remains one of Tamil cinema’s dependable and evolving talents, steadily building a filmography that blends commercial appeal with strong character work.