Draft:Rishikanth

Rishikanth Rajendran (born 21 September 1992), known professionally as Rishikanth, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Tamil cinema. He began his career through short films and YouTube-based comedy, and was associated with the sketch-comedy channel Temple Monkeys. He subsequently appeared in a number of Tamil films in supporting and character roles before taking on his first full-length leading role in the 2026 film Modha Rathiri. He also appears in Karthik Subbaraj's Dorothy, alongside Keerthy Suresh and Sananth.

Early life and career

Rishikanth Rajendran was born on 21 September 1992 in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. He entered the entertainment industry through short films and YouTube productions. He was associated with Temple Monkeys, a Tamil sketch-comedy group that emerged during the growth of YouTube-based entertainment in Tamil Nadu. Members of the group subsequently moved into feature films, with Rishikanth among those who established themselves as actors in Tamil cinema. Contemporary accounts of the group identify Rishikanth Rajendran alongside other Temple Monkeys members who went on to work in films.

One of his early screen appearances was in Bench Talkies, a 2015 Tamil anthology film produced by Stone Bench Creations. The film consisted of six short films directed by filmmakers including Karthik Subbaraj, and featured Rishikanth in Puzhu, directed by Charukesh Sekar.

His early work established him within the independent and short-film circuit before he began receiving opportunities in feature films. His subsequent credits included Irumbu Thirai (2018), K-13 (2019) and Hero (2019). His role in Irumbu Thirai was credited as Kesavan, while he appeared as a lawyer in Hero.

Career

Rishikanth continued to appear in supporting roles during the early 2020s, including in Rocky (2021) and Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal (2022). In the latter, he played Murali, a friend of Ashok Selvan's character. Director Vishal Venkat selected Rishikanth after considering several profiles, and Rishikanth later said that the character offered him an opportunity to make a small but meaningful impact despite not being the central role.

His filmography subsequently included O2 (2022), Pallu Padama Paathuka (2023), Neymar (2023), Mathagam (2023), Indian 2 (2024) and Coolie (2025). His work during this period was characterised largely by supporting and character parts, while he continued to build experience across theatrical films and streaming productions.

In 2026, Rishikanth moved into a leading role with Modha Rathiri, directed by debutant Raja Karuppasamy and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. He starred opposite Anishma Anilkumar in the rural comedy-drama. The film was released theatrically on 21 August 2026.

Rishikanth plays Marudhu, a newly married man whose wedding night takes an unexpected turn after his wife reveals that she is in love with someone else. The film follows the couple's attempt to leave the village while their families search for them. Reviews of the film noted Rishikanth's restrained performance and his character's comparatively composed nature amid the increasingly chaotic events surrounding him.

The same year, Rishikanth appeared in Dorothy, directed by Karthik Subbaraj. He plays Karthi, one of the film's central characters, alongside Sananth and Keerthy Suresh. The film explores the friendship of two men growing up in rural Tamil Nadu against a setting shaped by caste and violence.

Dorothy premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2026 as part of the festival's Centrepiece programme. The film received a standing ovation following its premiere, with Rishikanth appearing at the festival alongside the cast and filmmakers.

Filmography

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| Bench Talkies | | Puzhu | |

| | | | |

| Irumbu Thirai | | Kesavan | |

| | | | |

| K-13 | | |

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| Hero | | Lawyer |

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| Rocky | | Udhay |

| | | | |

| Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal | | Murali | |

| | | | |

| O2 | | |

| | | | |

| Pallu Padama Paathuka | | Bruno | |

| | | | |

| Neymar | | Venkat |

| | | | |

| Mathagam | | Nathan | |

| | | | |

| Indian 2 | | Harish | |

| | | | |

| Coolie | | Rishi |

| | | | |

| Modha Rathiri | | Marudhu | |

| | | | |

| Dorothy | | Karthi |

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