| Rishi Raj | |
| Birth Date: | 7 May 1985 |
| Birth Place: | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation: | Actor, television host |
| Yearsactive: | 2005–2013 2022–present |
Rishi Raj is an Indian film, theatre and television actor. He is known for his work on Sun TV's Deala No Deala, the Tamil-language version of Deal or No Deal and Kaiyil Oru Kodi, the Tamil version of Million Dollar Money Drop.[1] Rishi has appeared in supporting roles in Tamil films most notably Anandha Thandavam and Payanam. He has stayed away from the limelight since 2017.
Rishi appeared in a few fiction and non-fiction shows on STAR Vijay before appearing on Sun TV with Endemol's Dealaa No Dealaa (Tamil version of Deal or No Deal). This was a runaway success with Rishi's anchoring style making him a household name among the Tamil people all over the world, with a special fan following in Malaysia and Canada.[2] In 2012, Endemol South and Sun TV made Kaiyil Oru Kodi, Are you ready? (Tamil version of Million Dollar Money Drop) with Rishi as the anchor. It was one of the most successful shows of the year.[3] In 2009-10 Rishi played the lead in the hugely popular Telugu-language soap opera, Sundarakanda the first Indian TV show to be shot in the USA.
Rishi made his debut in Anandha Thandavam. (The forgettable and sparsely released Thodakkam came and went noiselessly). He then went on to do supporting roles in a few films like Mandhira Punnagai, Mirattal, Naan Sigappu Manithan and Yaan. He also appeared in the ensemble cast of Payanam (Gaganam in Telugu).
Rishi has appeared in several theatre productions including the Metroplus Theatre Festival with The Madras Players twice.
| Year | Film | Role | Language | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Thodakkam | Habeeb | ||
| 2009 | Ananda Thandavam | Radhakrishnan | ||
| 2010 | Mandhira Punnagai | Shankar | ||
| 2011 | Gaganam | Vinod | ||
| Payanam | Tamil | |||
| 2012 | Mirattal | Gautham (Special Appearance) | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Naan Sigappu Manithan | Karthik | Tamil | |
| Yaan | Ram | Tamil | ||
| 2015 | JK Enum Nanbanin Vaazhkai | K. Anand | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Rajadhi Raja | Groom | ||
| 2019 | Sathru | Mahendran | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Iruvar Ullam | Suresh | Tamil | |
| 2023 | Beauty | Tamil |
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | Idhu Oru Kadhal Kathai | Ananthu | Vijay TV | |
| 2009–2010 | Sundarakanda | Ajay | Gemini TV | |
| 2012–2013 | Padamatha Gali | |||
| 2022 | Ninaithale Inikkum | Sethupathi IPS (Special Appearance) | Zee Tamil | |
| 2022–Present | Iniya | Vikraman (Vikram) | Sun TV |
| Year | Title | Language | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Deala No Deala | Host | Sun TV | |
| 2012 | Kaiyil Oru Kodi - Are You Ready? | |||
| 2014–2015 | Vendhar Veetukkalyanam | Vendhar TV | ||
| 2015–2016 | Super Challenge | Sun TV | ||
| 2022 | Vanakkam Tamizha | Guest | ||
| 2023 | Iniyavale Iniya | Vikraman | ||
| Nattamai Theerpu Mathu |