, a former priest (archakar) at the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram who became the subject of a widely publicized and controversial sleaze scandal in 2009.
While the name might confuse some with actor Sarathkumar, Kanchipuram Archakar carved a unique niche for himself. His stage name itself—derived from his hometown, Kanchipuram, and his family’s traditional profession of temple priesthood ( Archakar )—became a brand. For fans of 1990s and 2000s Tamil television and cinema, his appearance on screen was a signal for either a hearty laugh or a sentimental village episode.
He started as a stage artist, performing in plays that depicted the lives of Tamil villagers. His breakthrough came when director K. Balachander spotted his unique ability to switch between dignified priestly tones and cunning, comedy-laced street-smart dialogue. Balachander gave him small roles, but it was television serials that made him a household name.
Kanchipuram Archakar Filmography and Popular Videos: A Report
Madapalli
The scandal involved the unauthorized and covert filming of sexual acts within the temple premises, specifically inside the (temple kitchen) and other areas.
Note: V. S. Raghavan acted in over 500 films, but the “Kanchipuram Archakar” persona is specifically associated with the following films: