{{short description|Indian director}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Anandsami | image = | image_size = | birth_date = | birth_place = Chennai, India | occupation = Actor | other_names = | years_active = 2001{{endash}}present | spouse = | parents = }}
'''Anand Sami''' or '''Anandsami''' is an Indian film and stage actor who has worked on Tamil and Malayalam films. In films, Anandsami had a career breakthrough with appearances in ''Lens'' (2016) and ''Odu Raja Odu'' (2018).
==Career== In 2001, Anandsami was a part of the Indian Tamil remake of the Hindi television series ''Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi''. He appeared in ten episodes, and has since noted that being a part of the show prompted to become more professional with his approach to acting. After completing work on the series, Anandsami created a portfolio and attempted to become an actor in Tamil cinema.<ref name="beg">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/an-interview-with-theatre-actor-anandsami/article22834905.ece|title=In a dialogue with theatre|first=R.|last=Krithika|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 February 2018|via=www.thehindu.com|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112053931/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/an-interview-with-theatre-actor-anandsami/article22834905.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Finding chances hard to come by, he joined the Chennai-based theatre troupe Koothu-P-Pattarai in 2002, where he performed for eight years, before moving on to work with another group, ''Perch''.<ref name="beg"/> Despite making small appearances in films and television during the 2000s, Anandsami was able to establish himself as a prominent theatre actor in the Chennai acting circuit.<ref name="beg"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/a-review-of-a-solo-act-by-actor-anandsami/article25751983.ece|title=One man, many people|first=Anitha|last=Senthil|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 December 2018|via=www.thehindu.com|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122032241/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/a-review-of-a-solo-act-by-actor-anandsami/article25751983.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
Anandsami was also a part of the trio that performs ''Kira Kozhambu'', a play based on writer Ki Rajanarayanan's folk tales. He acted in the play with Ravindra Vijay and Kalieaswari Srinivasan in Coimbatore, and reenacted the same play with Maya S. Krishnan reprising Srinivasan's part in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/kira-kuzhambu-served-up-a-dramatic-feast-of-ki-rajanarayanans-stories-in-coimbatore/article20577025.ece|title=Folktales by Ki.Rajanarayanan: Of sky, birds and pacha mochai|first=Susan Joe|last=Philip|date=20 November 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606123228/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/kira-kuzhambu-served-up-a-dramatic-feast-of-ki-rajanarayanans-stories-in-coimbatore/article20577025.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="A">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/the-madurai-art-fest-2019-organised-by-kaleidoscope-brought-various-art-form-on-a-single-platform/article26331367.ece|title=The arts and the city|first=Soma|last=Basu|date=21 February 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606123228/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/the-madurai-art-fest-2019-organised-by-kaleidoscope-brought-various-art-form-on-a-single-platform/article26331367.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/universal-folk-tales/article23914771.ece|title=Ki Ra Kozhambu: universal folk tales|first=Sravasti|last=Datta|date=17 May 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606123231/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/universal-folk-tales/article23914771.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="B">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/kira-kozhambu-staged-by-perch-chennai-takes-the-audience-on-a-wild-journey-through-a-kaleidoscope-of-stories/article23694966.ece|title=A story well told|first=T.|last=Saravanan|date=27 April 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606123231/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/kira-kozhambu-staged-by-perch-chennai-takes-the-audience-on-a-wild-journey-through-a-kaleidoscope-of-stories/article23694966.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/hyderabad/this-childrens-theatre-fest-was-a-blockbuster/articleshow/56023828.cms|title=This children's theatre fest was a blockbuster|newspaper=The Times of India|date=16 December 2016|first=Papri|last=Paul|accessdate=26 July 2020|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606124731/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/hyderabad/this-childrens-theatre-fest-was-a-blockbuster/articleshow/56023828.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The play was based on Ki. Rajanarayanan's collection of short stories titled ''Nattuppura Kadhai Kalanjiyam'' with Anandsami reprising his role from the original play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/oct/31/kiras-folktales-in-a-play-1688515.html|title=Kira's folktales in a play|website=The New Indian Express|date=November 2017 |access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606123228/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/oct/31/kiras-folktales-in-a-play-1688515.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A critic stated that "Actors Anand Sami, Maya S. Krishnan and Ravindra Vijay were in their elements with their seamless blend of art and entertainment".<ref name="B" />
Anandsami is also known for his solo play, ''Jannal'' and ''Seethaimark Seeyakkai Thool'' where he performs writer Sundara Ramaswamy's short shorties of the same name.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2013-11-25|title=Koothupattarai stages two plays in Madurai|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/koothupattarai-stages-two-plays-in-madurai/article5388894.ece|access-date=2020-08-11|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606130856/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/koothupattarai-stages-two-plays-in-madurai/article5388894.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Senthil|first=Anitha|date=2018-12-15|title=One man, many people|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/a-review-of-a-solo-act-by-actor-anandsami/article25751983.ece|access-date=2020-08-10|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122032241/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/a-review-of-a-solo-act-by-actor-anandsami/article25751983.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also part of an ensemble cast of actors that performed The Water Station,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nath|first=Parshathy J.|date=2017-06-05|title=I'd rather be the man who gets slapped, says Anand Sami of 'Lens'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/id-rather-be-the-man-who-gets-slapped/article18723019.ece|access-date=2020-08-10|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112041750/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/id-rather-be-the-man-who-gets-slapped/article18723019.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> directed by Sankar Venkateswaran of Theatre Roots and Wings at the Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival<ref>{{Citation|last=Experiment|first=Kyoto|title=Teaser for Sankar Venkateswaran / Theatre Roots & Wings "The Water Station" (Kyoto Experiment 2016 Autumn)|date=2016-10-11|url=https://vimeo.com/186370722|access-date=2020-08-10|archive-date=24 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124132418/https://vimeo.com/186370722|url-status=live}}</ref>
In film, Anandsami's most notable role was in Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan's directorial debut ''Lens'', a thriller about web voyeurism.<ref>{{Citation|title=Real Talk with Itisprashanth - Lens team opens up!| date=11 May 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNGTuWDfFGE|language=en-US|access-date=2020-08-11|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606130855/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNGTuWDfFGE|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-12|title=Lens (aka) Lenss review|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/lens/lens-review.html|access-date=2020-08-10|website=Behindwoods|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606130857/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/lens/lens-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Vetrimaran to produce his next with 'Genius' star Roshan - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vetrimaran-to-produce-his-next-with-genius-star-roshan/articleshow/69985515.cms|access-date=2020-08-13|website=The Times of India|date=28 June 2019|language=en|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606130855/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vetrimaran-to-produce-his-next-with-genius-star-roshan/articleshow/69985515.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/lens/movie-review/58595280.cms|title=Lens Movie Review {3/5}: Critic Review of Lens by Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India }}</ref> He was also seen in the 2018 black comedy ''Odu Raja Odu''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Jolly Fun Ride Movie {{!}} Odu Raja Odu Movie Press Meet {{!}} Guru Somasundaram| date=11 August 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5jqf9uA2kk|language=en-US|access-date=2020-08-11|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606130855/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5jqf9uA2kk|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Subramanian|first=Anupama|date=2018-08-18|title=Odu Raja Odu movie review: Tickles your funny bone, only partially|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/180818/odu-raja-odu-movie-review-tamil-guru-somasundaram-lakshmi-priya-nasse.html|access-date=2020-08-10|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606130856/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/180818/odu-raja-odu-movie-review-tamil-guru-somasundaram-lakshmi-priya-nasse.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, Anandsami was seen in Amazon Prime's ''The Family Man'' portraying a Sri Lankan Tamil rebel fighter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2303565/family-man-2-wins-rave-reviews|title='Family Man 2' wins rave reviews|date=5 June 2021|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612020937/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2303565/family-man-2-wins-rave-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Filmography== ;Films {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |+ ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Language ! Notes |- | 2002 || ''Run'' || || rowspan="6" | Tamil ||Uncredited role |- | 2003 || ''Parthiban Kanavu'' || || |- |2004 || ''Varnajalam'' || Ashwin || |- |2005 || ''Oru Kalluriyin Kadhai'' || Guru || |- |2008 || ''Chakkara Viyugam'' || || |- |rowspan="2"|2009 ||''Siva Manasula Sakthi'' || Sakthi's friend || |- | ''Passenger'' || Anali Shaji || Malayalam || |- | 2016 || ''Lens'' ||Yohan || Tamil<br />English | |- | 2018 || ''Odu Raja Odu''|| Nakul | rowspan="5" |Tamil|| |- | 2019 || ''Mayuran''|| || |- | 2022 || ''Kuthiraivaal''|| Koteeswaran || |- | rowspan="3" |2024 || ''Thangalaan''|| Kailasam || |- | ''Raghu Thatha''|| Ranganathan || |- | ''All We Imagine as Light'' || Drowned Man || Malayalam<br />Hindi<br />Marathi || |- |}
;Television {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |+ ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Language ! class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |2001 |''Kelunga Mamiyare Neengalum Marumagal Than'' | |Tamil | |- | 2021 |''The Family Man'' | Selvarasan | Hindi | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/the-family-man-2-review-and-release-live-updates-samantha-akkineni-makes-her-digital-debut-7342867/|title=The Family Man Season 2 review and release LIVE UPDATES: Fans say Samantha Akkineni steals the limelight|date=4 June 2021|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606123228/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/the-family-man-2-review-and-release-live-updates-samantha-akkineni-makes-her-digital-debut-7342867/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|2024 |''Brinda'' |Thakur |Telugu | |- |''Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam'' |Prabhu |Tamil | |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|8984005}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anandsami}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Category:Indian male stage actors Category:21st-century Indian male actors Category:Male actors from Chennai Category:Indian male film actors Category:Tamil male actors Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema Category:Year of birth missing (living people)