{{short description| Indian actor}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person | name = Shriram Natarajan | image = | birth_name = Shriram Natarajan | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|11|30}} | birth_place = Madras, Tamil Nadu, India | alma_mater = Alpha Arts and Science College, Chennai. | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2008{{Endash}}2017, 2023 }}
'''Shriram Natarajan''' (born 30 November 1987), known by his stage name '''Shri''', is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil films. He has appeared in critically acclaimed films such as ''Vazhakku Enn 18/9'' (2012), ''Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum'' (2013), ''Vil Ambu'' (2016), ''Maanagaram'' (2017), and ''Irugapatru'' (2023).
==Career== While pursuing a degree in Visual Communications at Alpha and Arts Science College, later at Loyola College, Sri appeared in his first acting role in the television serial ''Kana Kaanum Kaalangal'' on STAR Vijay and tried to audition for the lead role in Balaji Sakthivel's ''Kalloori'' (2007), without success.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/my-dream-is-to-work-with-mani-ratnam/20160218.htm|title='My dream is to work with Mani Ratnam'|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175001/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/my-dream-is-to-work-with-mani-ratnam/20160218.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Sri was subsequently cast in the director's next film, the drama thriller ''Vazhakku Enn 18/9'' (2012) featuring newcomers, and it went on to open to unanimously positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vazhakku-enn-18-9-review-tamil-14997788.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008180911/http://www.sify.com/movies/vazhakku-enn-18-9-review-tamil-14997788.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-08|title=Sify Movies - Review listing|website=Sify |publisher=}}</ref> To prepare for the role, he went to roadside eateries in Ramapuram and familiarised himself in the lifestyle of settlers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article524854.ece|title=Sri's Kalloori connection|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305203451/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article524854.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> It subsequently went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, as well as Best Film at both the Vijay Awards and the Filmfare Awards, while a reviewer from The Hindu praised Sri's performance, adding "he has large eyes that reveal the right amount of innocence."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/vazhakku-enn-189-hail-the-verdict/article3387481.ece|title=Vazhakku Enn: 18/9 — Hail the verdict!|author=Malathi Rangarajan|work=The Hindu|date=5 May 2012|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-date=13 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213021646/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/vazhakku-enn-189-hail-the-verdict/article3387481.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The success of the film saw him gain further offers, but he was reluctant to only opt for promising scripts and turned down an opportunity to work on Nalan Kumarasamy's ''Soodhu Kavvum'' (2013) during the period. His second film, Mysskin's ''Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum'' (2013) also fetched critical acclaim, with a critic from Sify.com noting Sri delivers "a riveting performance and is an actor of substance in the making."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/onayum-aatukuttiyum-review-tamil-15039498.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929200716/http://www.sify.com/movies/onayum-aatukuttiyum-review-tamil-15039498.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-29|title=Review : Onayum Aatukuttiyum|work=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/onayum-aatukuttiyum/onayum-aatukuttiyum-review.html|title=Onayum Aatukuttiyum Movie Review Onayum Aatukuttiyum, Mysskin, Ilayaraja|publisher=|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-date=30 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930095344/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/onayum-aatukuttiyum/onayum-aatukuttiyum-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His following film, the comedy ''Soan Papdi'' (2015) had low-profile responses at the box office, even though the latter received good reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.covaipost.com/coimbatore/maanagaram-hero-keen-on-rom-com-roles/|title='Maanagaram' hero keen on Rom-com roles | Covaipost|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175229/http://www.covaipost.com/coimbatore/maanagaram-hero-keen-on-rom-com-roles/|url-status=dead}}</ref> And ''Vil Ambu'' (2016), which was presented by director Suseenthiran, did pretty well at the box office, opening gates for Sri as a Commercial Star.
Sri's next film was ''Maanagaram'' (2017) directed by newcomer Lokesh Kanagaraj, featured him alongside Sundeep Kishan and Regina Cassandra. Portraying a young man frustrated with life in Chennai, Sri won critical acclaim for his role in the film, while the film went on to become one of the most profitable films of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/maanagaram-movie-review-shri-sundeep-kishan-regina-965114-2017-03-11|title=Maanagaram movie review: Every Chennaiite will love this fantastic thriller|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203172107/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/maanagaram-movie-review-shri-sundeep-kishan-regina-965114-2017-03-11|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.indiaglitz.com/chennai-day-chennai-378th-birthday-special-article-on-tamil-films-depiction-of-chennai-tamil-news-193832|title = Chennai and Tamil Cinema! A Chennai Day Special - Tamil News|date = 22 August 2017|access-date = 20 March 2023|archive-date = 24 August 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170824230028/http://www.indiaglitz.com/chennai-day-chennai-378th-birthday-special-article-on-tamil-films-depiction-of-chennai-tamil-news-193832|url-status = live}}</ref> Sri then participated in the first season of the Tamil reality show ''Bigg Boss'' being the first ever contestant to enter Bigg Boss Tamil, but left the show on the fourth day due to personal problems. In mid-2023, he began work on a film produced by Potential Studios (who produced ''Maanagaram'') titled ''Irugaapatru''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-09 |title=The makers of 'Irugapatru' starring Vikram Prabhu and Shraddha Srinath plan for a social experiment before they start shooting for the film |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/the-makers-of-irugapatru-starring-vikram-prabhu-and-shraddha-srinath-plan-for-a-social-experiment-before-they-start-shooting-for-the-film/articleshow/100846629.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-07-20 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704083249/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/the-makers-of-irugapatru-starring-vikram-prabhu-and-shraddha-srinath-plan-for-a-social-experiment-before-they-start-shooting-for-the-film/articleshow/100846629.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Personal life== As of April 2025, Sri has garnered significant attention and concern following a series of videos and photos posted on his Instagram account. These posts represented a notable shift from his previously low-profile public image and sparked widespread alarm among fans regarding his mental and physical well-being. Observers noted a marked physical transformation in Sri, with visible weight loss leading to speculation about potential health issues or emotional distress. Some followers questioned whether he might be experiencing depression or a mental health crisis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-13 |title=Actor Sri alarms fans with explicit Instagram posts that show visible weight loss; sparks mental health concerns |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Apr/13/actor-sri-alarms-fans-with-explicit-instagram-posts-that-show-visible-weight-loss-sparks-mental-health-concerns |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Online |date=2025-04-13 |title=Actor Sri leaves fans worried after shocking instagram posts |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2025/Apr/13/actor-sri-leaves-fans-worried-after-shocking-instagram-posts?utm_source |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Lokesh later revealed that Sri was undergoing medical treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=Tamil actor, MIA after posting explicit content, found undergoing medical care |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/sri-shriram-natarajan-under-expert-medical-care-positing-explicit-content-on-instagram-lokesh-kanagaraj-statement-2710860-2025-04-18 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
==Filmography== {{Pending films key}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;" ! Year !! Film !! Role !Notes |- | rowspan="1" |2012 || ''Vazhakku Enn 18/9'' || Pa. Veluchamy | |- | rowspan="1" |2013 || ''Onaayum Aatukuttiyum'' || Chandru | |- | rowspan="1" |2015 || ''Soan Papdi'' || Shiva | |- | rowspan="1" |2016 || ''Vil Ambu'' || Karthik | |- | rowspan="1" |2017 || ''Maanagaram'' || Barani | |- |2023||''Irugapatru'' || Arjun | |- |2026 |{{Pending film | #SHRI07 }} |{{TBA}} |Wunderbar films production no.20 |- |rowspan="2"|2026||{{pending film |#SHRI08 }} |{{TBA}} |Telugu director; banu prakash rao |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Series/Shows !! Role !! Channel !! Notes |- | 2008{{Endash}}2009 || ''Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Season 2'' || Sri Ram || Star Vijay || |- | 2017 || ''Bigg Boss Tamil 1'' || Contestant|| Star Vijay || Walked Out on Day 4 due to health issues. |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|5036793}} * {{Instagram|srina.tarajan}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sri}} Category:Living people Category:Tamil male television actors Category:Television personalities from Tamil Nadu Category:Male actors from Tamil Nadu Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema Category:21st-century Tamil male actors Category:1983 births