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Dindigul I. Leoni

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Dindigul I. Leoni
திண்டுக்கல் ஐ. லியோனி
Born (1954-11-22) 22 November 1954 (age 69)
Occupation(s)School Teacher, Orator, Politician
Years active1997, 2020
TelevisionKalaignar TV
TitleKalaimamani
Political partyDravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Spouse(s)Dr.Palaniammal (deceased -when?)
Amudha
ChildrenAhalya
Siva Kumar
Sathish Kumar
RelativesC. S. Amudhan
(son-in-law)

Dindigul I. Leoni also known as Dindigul Leoni or simply known as Leoni (Tamil: திண்டுக்கல் ஐ. லியோனி) (born 22 November 1954[1]) is a pattimandram anchor, social debates anchor, school teacher, orator, actor, television personality and political activist.[2] He received the adjective Dindigul which refers to his birthplace. He is well known for his political satire and humorous speech and also for his tongue-in-cheek remarks.[3][4] He currently serves as a talk show moderator in a pattimandram program telecast in Kalaignar TV. His son-in-law C. S. Amudhan is a filmmaker.[5]

Career

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Leoni initially served as a school teacher at the St. Mary's Higher Secondary School in Dindigul for a short stint. He then ventured into hosting social debate/pattimandram show "Nalla Pesunga Nallathaiye Pesunga" aired in Kalaignar TV. He eventually rose to fame and prominence in the state for his speeches in the television show.[6] He received the state award Kalaimamani in 2010 for his stage speeches from the Government of Tamil Nadu.[7]

He has campaigned for Tamil Nadu based political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, 2014 Indian general election and in 2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.[8][9]

He made his acting debut in 1997 Tamil film Ganga Gowri in a supporting role playing the role of Arun Vijay's father. He then made a comeback to film acting after a long gap of 23 years in 2020 for the unreleased film Aalambana.[10]

Personal life

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His son, Leo Sivakumar, made his lead debut with Azhagiya Kanne (2023).[11]

Controversies

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In August 2016, rumours were circulating in the social media which indicated that Leoni died in a car accident. Leoni filed a lawsuit against the rumours.[12]

In January 2018, during a pattimandram show telecast during Diwali season he made references citing Bharatiya Janata Party to "sleeper cells". He was criticised for his alleged political attacks on BJP.[13]

Filmography

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Films
Television

References

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  1. ^ "Profile of Actor Dindigul I Leoni - Tamil Movie Data Base of Tamilstar.com". www.tamilstar.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  2. ^ Bodiwala, Community Contributor Suresh. "Mr. Dindigul I. Leoni, Kalaignar TV fame joins Chicago Tamil Sangam to celebrate "Pongal Vizha 2015"". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "Speakers fall silent as virus ruins election fever". The New Indian Express. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Case registered against pattimandram anchor Dindigul Leoni". News Today. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  5. ^ Palani, Dhiwaharan. "C.S Amudhan Bashes People Who Accused That He Is Belong To DMK !! Says Had A Scene That Trolled "SEYAL" !! | Chennai Memes". Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Dindigul Leoni interview - time with COVID-19". Archived from the original on 21 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Tamil Nadu Govt announces Kalaimamani awards". The Hindu. 28 January 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  8. ^ "அம்மா பிரதமரானால் எதிர்க்கட்சி மாப்ளைங்க வாலைச் சுருட்டிக்கணும் : திண்டுக்கல் ஐ.லியோனி பேட்டி". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 17 April 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  9. ^ "திமுக ஆட்சியில்தான் விழுப்புரம் வளர்ச்சி: திண்டுக்கல் ஐ.லியோனி". Dinamani. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  10. ^ Dinamalar (17 February 2020). "23 வருடங்களுக்கு பிறகு மீண்டும் நடிக்க வந்த திண்டுக்கல் ஐ.லியோனி | after 23 years, i.leoni came back to acting". தினமலர் - சினிமா (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  11. ^ https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/news/2023/azhagiya-kanne-first-review-dindigul-i-leonis-son-leo-sivakumar-needs-training-in-acting-355506.html [bare URL]
  12. ^ "Dindigul Leoni files case over WhatsApp message". The Hindu. 2 September 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  13. ^ Kumar, Pradeep (16 January 2018). "How Pattimandram took a political tone". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
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