Yogi Babu

Yogi Babu, born on July 22, 1985, in Arani, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most in-demand comedians and actors in contemporary Tamil cinema. His father was a havildar in the Indian Army, so Babu spent his childhood travelling across India, including studies in Jammu in the early 1990s.

Before becoming an actor, Yogi Babu worked as an assistant director on the comedy show “Lollu Sabha”, where he spent two years writing scenes. He made his feature film debut in the Ameer-directed “Yogi” (2009), playing an aspiring actor — a role that inspired his stage name. For years he took on minor roles, gradually building his presence until his breakthrough with “Kalakalappu” and “Maan Karate”.

2016 proved to be a turning point: Yogi Babu appeared in 20 films that year, winning critical acclaim for his role alongside Vijay Sethupathi in “Aandavan Kattalai” (2016). His star continued to rise with scene-stealing performances in blockbusters like “Kolamavu Kokila” (2018), where his one-sided lover portrayal opposite Nayanthara was widely praised and the “Kalyana Vayasu” song went viral. He took his first lead role in “Dharmaprabhu” (2019) and has since become one of the highest-paid comedians in Tamil cinema.

A recipient of two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and five SIIMA Awards, Yogi Babu married Manju Bhargavi on February 5, 2020, in an intimate ceremony at their ancestral temple in Tiruttani. The couple have two children.