King Kong (actor)
Shankar Ezhumalai, popularly credited by his monicker King Kong is an Indian actor and comedian who has appeared in Tamil language films in supporting roles. A clip from the film Adhisaya Piravi (1990), which features King Kong dancing, has become a viral internet video titled Little Superstar.[3][4]
Career
King Kong has appeared in Tamil films, primarily portraying comedy supporting roles. He has also appeared in television serials and given stage performances as a dancer.[5] A clip from the film Adhisaya Piravi (1990), featuring King Kong dancing in front of Rajinikanth, became a popular internet viral video in the late 2000s. The clip, dubbed "Little Superstar", features the actor breakdancing to MC Miker G & DJ Sven's "Holiday Rap". The video has been featured on YouTube, in Tom Anderson's bulletins on Myspace, on the E! TV show The Soup, the MSNBC shows Countdown with Keith Olbermann and Tucker Carlson, G4TV's Attack of the Show! and elsewhere, as well as having been parodied on Saturday Night Live.
In 2007, the actor was spotted seeking disability benefits and was reported to be in poverty.[6] He returned to appear in films, notably appearing in a dance sequence in Pokkiri and then as a regular in Vadivelu's comedy tracks in Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar (2007) and Kanthaswamy (2009). The actor began working on a low-budget bilingual Tamil and Malayalam film titled Onnara Kullan in the lead role opposite softcore actress Shakeela, but the film remains unreleased.[7] In recent years, actor King Kong has choreographed a dance number in a Doritos Tandoori Sizzler! commercial shown in Canada, which was filmed in India.[8] He also made an appearance in British comedian Romesh Ranganathan's BBC Three show Asian Provocateur during October 2015 and appeared in an in-episode short film.[9]
Selected filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Nethiyadi | ||
| 1988 | Oorai Therinjukitten | ||
| 1988 | Yamudiki Mogudu | Telugu film | |
| 1989 | Anbu Kattalai | ||
| 1989 | Kindari Jogi | Kannada film | |
| 1990 | Raja Vikramarka | Telugu film | |
| 1990 | Athisaya Piravi | Dancer | |
| 1991 | Kizhakku Karai | ||
| 1992 | Chinna Pasanga Naanga | ||
| 1992 | Samundi | ||
| 1993 | Chinna Jameen | ||
| 1994 | Chinna Pulla | ||
| 1994 | Uzhiyan | ||
| 1994 | Gandugali | Kannada film | |
| 1994 | Gharana Mogudu | Telugu film | |
| 1995 | Jameen Kottai | Pandi | |
| 1996 | Katta Panchayathu | ||
| 1996 | Panchalankurichi | ||
| 1996 | Take It Easy Urvashi | ||
| 1997 | Sakthi | ||
| 1997 | Ghoonghat | Hindi film | |
| 1998 | Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar | ||
| 1998 | Dhinamdhorum | ||
| 1998 | Pudhu Kudithanam | Aruva Velu | |
| 1999 | Sivan | Nattu | |
| 1999 | Biwi No.1 | Hindi film | |
| 2000 | Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa | Hindi film | |
| 2000 | Kannaal Pesavaa | ||
| 2000 | Nagalingam | ||
| 2000 | Nee Enthan Vaanam | ||
| 2002 | H2O | Kannada film | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Kirukkan | Servant | |
| 2005 | Kicha Vayasu 16 | ||
| 2006 | Kaivantha Kalai | Office assistant | |
| 2006 | Vathiyar | ||
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Lorry Driver | |
| 2007 | Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar | ||
| 2007 | Piragu | Samarasam's assistant | |
| 2008 | Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan | ||
| 2008 | Kasimedu Govindan | Govindan's friend | |
| 2008 | Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu | ||
| 2009 | Kanthaswamy | Thief | |
| 2009 | Sirithal Rasipen | Kaththi Kuththu Pandian | |
| 2010 | Kacheri Arambam | ||
| 2010 | Sura | Fake policeman | |
| 2013 | Chennai Express | Passerby | Hindi film[10] |
| 2014 | Tenaliraman | ||
| 2014 | Vilaasam | ||
| 2015 | Maharani Kottai | Saamy | |
| 2016 | Sutta Pazham Sudaatha Pazham | ||
| 2016 | Summave Aaduvom | ||
| 2016 | Bayam Oru Payanam | ||
| 2018 | Nari Vettai |
References
- ^ "E.Kingkong (a.k.a) Shankar | Official Site of South Indian Artists Association, Nadigar Sangam, Tamil Nadigar Sangam". Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Profile of King Kong|Lakshmansruthi Orchestra". www.lakshmansruthi.com. from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "King kong Filmography, King kong Movies, King kong Films — Filmibeat". FilmiBeat.
- ^ Priya Prakashan. "Go bananas with Rajinikanth and Little Superstar dancing sensation!". India.com. from the original on 25 April 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Dance, music programmes steal the show in Tiruchi". The Hindu. 12 November 2007. from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Struggle of an actor". indiaglitz.com. from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "King Kong turns hero in Onnara Kallan!". www.filmibeat.com. 19 April 2010.
- ^ YouTube. youtube.com. from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ "Asian Provocateur". tvguide.co.uk. from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ Chennai Express I SRK tries to talk in Tamil I Movie Scene. YouTube. 26 September 2013. from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2015.