From Tamil cinema villain to Indian Union Minister
In short: Born Kumaresan Duraisamy, the actor known as Napoleon transitioned from playing antagonists in South Indian films to holding high-level political office. His journey spans from the screens of Chennai to the halls of the Indian government, driven by personal family challenges and evolving political loyalties.
Napoleon, born Kumaresan Duraisamy on 2 December 1963 in Tiruchirappali, has built a multifaceted career across cinema, entrepreneurship, and politics. He entered the Tamil film industry in 1991 with the rural film Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, where he played an antagonist. Following the success of Ejamaan in 1993, he became a notable villain in Malayalam and Telugu cinema, receiving praise for his role in Devasuram (1993). He eventually transitioned to hero roles, notably playing an anti-hero in Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993).
His personal life significantly influenced his professional trajectory. He wed Jayasudha in 1993, fathering two sons, Gunal and Dhanoosh. When Dhanoosh was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, the family relocated to America. This experience led Napoleon to establish the Myopathy Unit of Jeevan Foundation in 2010, a non-profit institute for muscular dystrophy and research. He also launched the IT company Jeevan Technologies in Chennai in 2000.
Napoleon's political career is tied to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party. After securing the Villivakkam seat in 2001, he served as a Tamil Nadu MLA until his 2006 defeat. He later won the 2009 Lok Sabha election for the Perambalur constituency, leading to his appointment as Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in Manmohan Singh's cabinet. After being sidelined by the DMK in 2014, he joined the BJP on 21 December 2014 and became their state vice-president on 26 November 2015.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Napoleon (actor)
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