Soundararaja

Soundararaja graduated his engineering degree from the Bharath Niketan Engineering College in 2004. He worked as a systems engineer in Singapore and France before deciding to pursue a career in acting in 2008. Later he joined the Chennai-based theatre group Koothu-P-Pattarai as an accountant and actor where he observed actors.^[4][5] He made his beginnings as a background actor, particularly playing the role of the lead character's friend in a few films, including the well-known series Penn that began in August 2008,^[6] as well as several short films as part of the television show Nalaya Iyakunar for Kalaignar TV. He worked on many short films with Manikandan and Karthik Subbaraj, who later cast him in his first feature film.

Soundararaja who went to director Lingusamy's studio to audition for his film Vettai (2011) and was selected to play Arya's friend in the film, which marked Soundararaja's film debut. Following Vettai, he worked on the film Pattarai; however, the film did not see a theatrical release. After making an appearance in S. R. Prabhakaran's Sundarapandian (2012) in a negative role,^[7] he was cast by director Ponram a supporting role in his first project, Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013). Soundararaja would later credit Prabhakaran with having had an "important role in helping him realise his dreams". He, furthermore, guided Soundararaja to many tips.

Then, Karthik Subbaraj got Soundararaja his second negative role in Jigarthanda (2013), in which he portrayed a shepherd.^[8] After Jigarthanda's release, he acted in Poojai (2014)^[9] and Bharathan's Athithi (2014).^[10][11]

Soundararaja made his debut as a hero in Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu (2016), in which he acted alongside Goundamani. He also acted along with Vijay in Bigil (2019) as a police officer.^[12] He has performed in Thudikkum Karangal (2023) as a police official investigating the case.^[13] In Jagame Thandhiram (2021), Soundararaja appeared in a supporting role, delivering a restrained and realistic performance ^[14] and also acted as lead protagonist in Saayavanam (2025).^[15]

Soundararaja is a keen nature and environmental enthusiast. In 2017, he founded the Mannukkum Makkalukkum Social Welfare Trust with his friends and family. Through this foundation, he and his team have planted and maintained over 50,000 tree saplings across Tamil Nadu^[16][17] and have been involved in other social services, such as providing food to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also a prominent member of Actor Vijay's political party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and has been actively involved in party events and social outreach programs. Soundararaja was honoured with the Kalaimagan Award at the Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards ^[18] in April 2025 for his long-standing contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture.