Subbu Panchu


Subramaniam Panchu Arunachalam, credited as Subbu Panchu or P. Ar. Subramaniam, is an Indian actor and film producer. Son of noted writer-producer Panchu Arunachalam, Subbu first appeared as a child artist in the Malayalam film Daisy, before working in the production department of his father's P. A. Art Productions. He returned to acting with the television series Arasi and shot to fame following his performance in the 2010 comedy film Boss Engira Bhaskaran. Subbu has occasionally worked as a voice actor and choreographer as well.

Career

Subbu, born to writer-producer Panchu Arunachalam, had been in the film industry since his childhood. He made his acting debut at age 14 as a child artist in the Malayalam film Daisy, directed by Pratap Pothen, who was then his neighbour. He was soon made by his father to work as an assistant production manager under Balagopi in his father's P. A. Art Productions for the Rajinikanth-starrer Guru Sishyan. Since Guru Sishyan, Subbu was involved in all the productions until the most recent release Maya Kannadi, with Subbu being promoted from an executive producer to the main producer.
In 2002, Subbu acted in a film directed by Agathiyan, Kadhal Samrajyam, as one of its lead actors, However, after the release of the soundtrack, the film was shelved and was never released. In 2008, he ventured into television and appeared in the popular television drama series Arasi on Sun TV. He was approached by its director Samuthirakani to play the antagonist's role in the film, a role which was initially supposed to last for a week only, but was extended following positive responses. His first Tamil film was Saroja, in which he had a cameo appearance. Subbu returned to the big screen with M. Rajesh's comedy film Boss Engira Bhaskaran, in which he played a pivotal character as the brother of the character played by Arya. The film became one of 2010's biggest commercial successes, which brought Subbu into the limelight and subsequently led to several more acting offers. He starred in Cloud Nine Movies' Thoonga Nagaram as a tahsildar, and appeared in films including Ajith Kumar's Mankatha where he played a CBI Officer as a negative role.
Subbu had previously also worked as a choreographer in the K. Balachander-produced Vidukadhai, and as a voice actor, dubbing for actors Suman and Mukesh Tiwari in Sivaji: The Boss and Kandaswamy, respectively.
He has also appeared in advertisements for Hamam and Lakshmi ceramics. In 2012-13, he hosted a game show, Aayirathil Oruvan, on Zee Tamil channel.

Filmography

Films

  • All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
YearTitleRoleNotes
1988DaisyThomasMalayalam film
1992KalikaalamDancerSpecial appearance in the song "Kadhal Illamal"
1993AthmaAnil
2008SarojaHimselfGuest appearance
2010Mundhinam PaartheneyHimselfGuest appearance
2010Boss Engira BhaskaranSaravanan
2011Thoonga Nagaram
2011Aanmai ThavaraelMr. A
2011MankathaKamal Ekambaram
2012KalakalappuManickam
2012Maalai Pozhudhin MayakathilaeyCoffee Shop Owner
2013Chennaiyil Oru NaalMurugan
2013SettaiCommissioner Vijayakumar
2013Pattathu YaanaiCollector
2013ThalaivaaRavi Kiran
2013All in All Azhagu RajaDoctorCameo appearance
2013Naveena Saraswathi SabathamLord Shiva
2013BiriyaniSubbu Mama
2014Ninaithathu YaaroHimselfGuest appearance
2014Vallavanukku Pullum AayudhamLand Broker
2014Nimirndhu NilLawyer Raja Senthurpandian
2015Janda Pai KapirajuLawyer RajasekharTelugu film
2015Azhagiya PandipuramDeepika's brother
2015Massu Engira MaasilamaniPolice Commissioner Shanmuga Sundaram
2016Aranmanai 2Ramesh, Maya's elder brother
2016AnjalaUK
2016Natpadhigaram 79
2016Vaaliba RajaPadhmanaban
2016NarathanPrincipal
2016Guhan
2016Unnodu KaSubash Chandrabose
2016Ka Ka Ka PoRishabarajan
2016NambiarRamachandran's elder brother
2016Chennai 600028 II: Second InningsChidhambaram
2017BrindavanamNagaraj
2017BalloonJeeva's Brother
2018Manushanaa Nee
2018Pyaar Prema KaadhalManager
2018Avalukkenna Azhagiya MugamAlso narrator
2018Padithavudan Killithu VidavumMinister Duraipandi
2018Adanga MaruSubash's brother
2019Chithiram Pesuthadi 2Salim's boss
2019Namma Veettu PillaiArumpon's youngest paternal uncle
2019RK NagarInspector Nagendran
2020Ponmagal VandhalAlexander
2021Live TelecastMikeWeb series
2021Kasada ThaparaDCP Chathurvedha
2021Annabelle SethupathiSundar Raman
2021MaanaaduMugilan Arivazhagan
2021Blood Money
2022Etharkkum ThunindhavanAlagunambi
2022Enna Solla PogiraiAnjali's Father
2022PrinceDRO
2023Ghosty
2023Soppana SundariCar Owner
2023Kasethan KadavuladaBlackmailer
2023Baba Black Sheep
2024The Greatest of All TimeSI Rajendran
2025Kuzhanthaigal Munnetra KazhagamChanakya
20253BHKMurali
2025PremistunnaaMuraliTelugu film

Television

Dubbing artist

Producer credits

  • Guru Sishyan – co-producer
  • Michael Madhana Kamarajan – executive producer
  • Rasukutty – co-producer
  • Thambi Pondatti – co-producer
  • Veera – co-producer
  • Poovellam Kettuppar – co-producer
  • Rishi – co-producer
  • Solla Marandha Kadhai – co-producer
  • Maya Kannadi – producer
  • Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings – executive producer