Mugen Rao
Mugen Rao | |
|---|---|
 Rao in 2020 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mugen Rao |
| Born | 20 October 1995 |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Website | www |
Mugen Rao (born in 1995) is a Malaysian singer[1] and film actor in Tamil films. In 2019, he won Season 3 of Bigg Boss Tamil. He is sometimes known as MGR.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Mugen was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, one of three children.[2] His father, Prakash Rao, died in 2020.[3]
Career
[edit]He began his singing career with his father, a stage singer, and performed in fifty stage shows.[2][4] He made his acting debut in the Malay TV show Senandung Malam, then had small parts in films including Gerak Khas and Ghora, in shorts, TV films, and advertising.[2]
Rao's career took off in 2016, when his music video "Kayalvizhi" went viral on YouTube.[5] His later music videos include "Anbe Aruyire", "Pogiren", "Mayakkurriye", and "Oththa Thamarai", which was shot in 2022 using virtual production technology.[6]
In 2019, he was the first Malaysian contestant on Bigg Boss Tamil edition, and emerged as the winner.[5][7] While on Bigg Boss Tamil, he sang the unreleased song "Sathiyama", which was only officially released in 2020.[8] He then moved to Chennai and sought to break into Tamil cinema.[9][10]
He signed a three-film deal in 2020,[11] and was announced at the time to have a leading role in Vettri.[12] He played the lead in Velan, directed by Kavin Moorthy and released in December 2021.[13][14][15] In 2022, he began filming Mathil Mel Kadhal alongside Divya Bharathi.[16]
Filmography
[edit]Films
[edit]| Year | Film | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ghora | Adhitya | Malaysian film |
| Haran | Abdu | ||
| Hey Coffeelopher | Ram | ||
| 2019 | Venpa | Yuvaraj Balakrishnan | Malaysian film (Special Appearance in Thandayuthabaaniye song) |
| 2021 | Velan | Velan | Also singer and lyricist |
| TBA | Vettri | TBA | |
| TBA | Madhil Mel Kaadhal | TBA | |
| TBA | Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama | TBA | |
| TBA | Jinn | TBA | [17] |
Web series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | MY3 | Adhitya Chandrasekhar | OTT Release | [18] |
Short films
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | I am Peter | |
| 2018 | Light Up Someone's Life |
Television
[edit]Actor
[edit]| Year | Serial/Telemovie/Drama | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Senandung Malam | Paperboy | Malay | ||
| 2010 | Da Bomba | Supporting | Malay | ||
| 2011 | Gerak Khas | Supporting | TV2 | Malay | |
| 2012 | Sindiket Fixie | Supporting | Malay | ||
| 2012 | Rumah Kecil Itu | Supporting | Malay | ||
| 2014 | Rembau Ada WiFi | Supporting | Malay | ||
| 2016 | ASTRO Sitcom: Barber | Main Cast | Tamil | ||
| 2016 | Veetuku Oru Paati | Main Cast | Tamil | ||
| 2016 | Ippadiyum Pannalama | Main Cast | Tamil | ||
| 2017 | Agam Puram | Tamil | |||
| 2018 | Sekuriti | TV2 | Tamil | ||
| 2018 | Sugamaana Sumaigal | Tamil | |||
| 2019 | Nee Yaar | Main Cast | TV2 | Tamil | Best TV Drama Actor award |
Reality shows (non fiction)
[edit]| Year | Reality Show/Fiction/Live Show | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 360 Degrees: Season 11 | Anchor | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2017 | 360 Degrees: Season 12 | Anchor | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2017 | Chinna Kabali | Anchor | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2017 | Astro Ponggal | Anchor | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2018 | Astro Ponggal | Anchor | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2019 | KL to KK: Let's roll | Host | Astro Ulagam | |
| 2019 | Bigg Boss Tamil 3 | Contestant | Vijay TV | Winner[19] |
| 2019 | Super Singer 7 | Guest | Vijay TV | [20] |
| 2020 | Dancing Super Stars | Judge | Vijay TV |
Discography
[edit]Singer
[edit]- Note: When he is credited as the composer, he is credited as Mugen Rao MGR.
| Year | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) | Writer(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Kaadhaley Kannir" | Coruz Hooks | A'sha, Coruz Hooks | Mugen Rao | |
| 2015 | "Ring-Eh" | Razor Ray | A Sha | [21] | |
| 2016 | "Kayalvizhi" | Coruz Hooks | Solo | ||
| 2018 | "Pogiren" | Prashan Sean | Prashan Sean | ||
| "Abinaya | Shane Extreme, Mugen Rao | Solo | |||
| 2019 | "Yenggedi" | Shane Extreme | Solo | [22] | |
| "Maya" | Mugen Rao | Solo | |||
| "Sathiyama" | Mugen Rao, Shane Extreme | Priyashankari | |||
| 2020 | "Arivum Anbum" | Ghibran | Kamal Haasan, Ghibran, Anirudh Ravichander, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Shankar Mahadevan, Bombay Jayashri, Sid Sriram, Devi Sri Prasad, Shruti Haasan, Andrea Jeremiah, Siddharth |
Kamal Haasan | [23] |
| "Thedinen" | Mugen Rao, Shane Extreme | Solo | Mugen Rao | ||
| 2021 | "Sathiyama Sollurandi" | Gopi Sundar, Mugen Rao | Sivaangi Krishnakumar | ||
| "Kaanal Neer Aanathe" | Gopi Sundar | Solo | Lalithanand | ||
| 2022 | "Mudhal Kaathal" | Mugen Rao, Vivasvan | Solo | Mugen Rao, Vivasvan | |
| 2023 | "Murugan Cassette Vol.1" | Mugen Rao | Havoc Brothers | Mugen Rao |
Actor in music videos
[edit]| Year | Song | Music | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Anbe Aaruyirae" | Prashan Sean | |
| 2015 | "Aayiram Sorkal" | Emzzie Boi | Also co-lyricist |
| 2016 | "Kadhal Enbathu Saabama" | Lawrence Soosai | |
| "Nanba Vaa" | Jose Franklin | ||
| 2022 | "Mayakirriye" | AniVee | |
| "Othai Thamarai" | Sandy Sandellow | ||
| 2023 | "Single Aayiten Di" | Dharan Kumar | |
| "Makka Makka" | Harris Jayaraj |
References
[edit]- ^ Sriram Ranganath (2 October 2019). "Bigg Boss Tamil 3, Day 100 Written Update: How Mugen Rao Made The 100th Day Extra Special". NDTV. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Bigg Boss Tamil 3: From being influenced by gangster culture in Malaysia to a talented lyricist, lesser known facts of Mugen Rao". Times of India. 24 June 2019. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Mugen Rao's father passes away". IndiaGlitz. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Velan Interview With Malaysian Actor Mugen Rao - Varnam MY". 31 December 2021. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Malaysian Mugen Rao wins India's 'Bigg Boss 3' reality TV show". Malay Mail. 27 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ M Suganth (25 March 2022). "Shoot at Site: Mugen's new music video is shot using virtual production technology". Times Of India. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ "Mugen Rao wins Bigg Boss Tamil season 3 MGR". The Hindu. 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "WATCH: Mugen Rao's Infamous Tune, Sathiyama is Finally on YouTube! - Varnam MY". 2 May 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Gautam Sunder (15 October 2019). "Mugen Rao can't wait to conquer the world, beginning with Kollywood first". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Mugen Rao Ranks 11th on the Chennai Times 30 Most Desirable Men 2019 - Varnam MY". 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Malaysian artiste Mugen Rao signs deal to star in 3 Kollywood movies". The Star. 29 September 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "'Bigg Boss' winner Mugen Rao, Miss India Anukreethy Vas to debut in 'Vettri'". The Hindu. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Mugen looked perfect for the role of Pollachi native boy in Velan: Director Kavin". Times Of India. 22 December 2021. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Bhuvanesh Chandar (26 April 2021). "Velan to feature Mugen Rao in two looks; first look out". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Mugen Rao's Velan cleared with a clean 'U' certificate". Times Of India. 7 November 2021. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ Sharanya CR (2 December 2021). "Mugen Rao & Divya Bharathi's Mathil Mel Kadhal is a love story set in Chennai". Times Of India. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Chandhini R (18 January 2023). "Mugen Rao's next titled Jinn; Film commences production". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "'MY3': First look of Hansika, Shanthnu, Mugen's web series out". www.thehindu.com. 22 August 2023. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Bigg Boss winner Mugen Rao continues to dream bigger dreams". www.nst.com.my. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ "WATCH: Mugen Rao Performs with Anirudh at the Super Singer Finale - Varnam MY". 11 November 2019. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Ring Eh Song Lyrics - Mugen Rao (MGR, 2014)". www.exlyrics.com. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Mugen's 'Yenggedi' Receives Praises From India's Popular Playback Singer Suchitra On Twitter! - Varnam MY". 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Mugen Rao Joins Kamal Hassan and Other Big Names for the Track Arivum Anbum! - Varnam MY". 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.