Actor · Tamil cinema

Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan

Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan is an actor in Tamil cinema who also appears in a few Malayalam films. Fans know him simply as Kalaiyarasan (கலையரசன்). He is best known for Madras (2014), Sarpatta Parambarai (2021) and Airaa (2019), and his work earned him a nomination at the South Indian International Movie Awards for Tamil cinema in 2014. His first film as an actor, Arjunan Kadhali (2008), was never released. He then worked with director Mysskin on Nandalala (2010) and Mugamoodi (2012), and he calls Mysskin his mentor. Small parts followed in Attakathi (2012), the first film directed by Pa. Ranjith, where he played a man hoping to win the heroine, and in Madha Yaanai Koottam (2013). His big break came when he teamed up with Ranjith again for Madras (2014), and critics praised his performance. He went on to act in Raja Manthiri (2016), Uru (2017), Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (2018), Airaa (2019) and Jagame Thandhiram (2021). Sarpatta Parambarai (2021) became one of his best known films. Later came Natchathiram Nagargiradhu (2022), Pathu Thala (2023), Charles Enterprises (2023), Vaazhai (2024), Madraskaaran (2025) and Thandakaaranyam (2025). Kalaiyarasan is known for his steady work with filmmakers such as Mysskin and Pa. Ranjith. He moves easily between lead roles and supporting parts, and he has built a long and varied list of films across Tamil and Malayalam cinema.

Chennai

Career at a glance

The ring shows where Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan ranks among Tamil actorsHow it works

Each ring compares Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan with every one of the Tamil actors on Clapnumber, one measure at a time. A fuller ring means higher: Top 4% means only 4 in 100 have as much. Critics compares review averages, out of 5 claps. A ring shows only when there are enough people to compare fairly and Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan is in the top half; otherwise you see just the number.