In 2005, he participated in a Coimbatore-based event called Naalaya Natchathiram, where chief guests Sundar C and E. Ramdoss suggested that he should attempt to become an actor in Tamil films.[4] Simha stated that he received an offer to feature in a TV serial in Chennai and only after making the journey from Coimbatore, did he realise he had been conned.[4] Simha subsequently finished his degree and came back to Chennai to pursue a career in acting but ended up working in marketing, insurance and business process outsourcing to fulfill his financial needs.
Career
2007–2012: Early work
Bobby Simha appeared in an uncredited role in Maya Kannadi (2007). Balaji Mohan, who was a short-film maker, gave him a small role in his first feature film, Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi. Both ventures became critically acclaimed and amongst the most profitable of 2012.[5][6][7] He subsequently became acquainted with short-film maker Manikandan, who introduced him to his friend, another short-film maker Karthik Subbaraj.[8] The pair subsequently made a series of short films together, with Subbaraj giving Simha a role in his directorial debut Pizza, too.[9]
2013–2017: Critical acclaim
Simha then appeared in Soodhu Kavvum (2013) portraying the role of Pagalavan, and played the antagonist in the bilingual Neram,[10] his performances in both films were received well.[11] In 2014, he was seen in the role of an ageing Madurai gangster in Jigarthanda[5] with his portrayal winning him critical praise.[12][13] In an interview he said that in order to get into the character, he had interacted with real gangsters to learn their behaviour and nuances. To tan his skin, he stood in the sun at noon wearing only his shorts.[14] The film opened to positive reviews in August 2014,[15] with The Hindu writing that it had achieved "cult status" within a week of its release.[16] Simha won positive reviews for his depiction of Sethu, with Rediff.com noting that Simha "steals the show. He is chillingly menacing at times, while completely hilarious in others, but equally convincing in both", stating it is "a truly remarkable performance".[17] A critic from Sify.com delivered a similar verdict, writing "truly the film belongs to Simhaa. He is electrifying especially in the first half, where he brings out the viciousness and violent streak of the character along with that eerie laughter."[18] His performance in the film earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.[19] After Jigarthanda he played a lead role in the Malayalam film Beware of Dogs,[20] while in Aadama Jaichomada he played Bhoominathan, a "serious, intelligent cop but with a comic touch".[21] The success of Jigarthanda had created opportunities for Bobby Simha to become a lead actor, though several of his subsequent films did not perform well commercially.[22] In December 2015, he appeared in Urumeen, his first film as a solo action hero.
In 2016, he appeared in the coming-of-age drama, Bangalore Naatkal, where he portrayed a softer role in comparison to his earlier action films. Simha had offered his own dates to the producers to portray a character in the film, with his performance receiving mixed reviews.[23] He play the role of a young and enthusiastic reporter in political thriller Ko 2.[24] Director Karthik Subbaraj scripts a story of male arrogance in the multi-starrer Iraivi.[25] In 2017, Susi Ganesan's Thiruttu Payale 2 is the sequel to the 2006 thriller film which went on to become a hit at the box-office.[26]
2018–present
He has signed to play as antagonist for Saamy Square (2018), which is the sequel of Saamy, directed by Hari.[27]
Bobby Simha got engaged to Urumeen co-star Reshmi Menon in November 2015, and they married on 22 April 2016. The couple has two children– a daughter (born 2017),[34][35] and a son (born 2019).[36][37]
Filmography
Note: he is credited as Simha in Tamil from 2012-2013 and 2020 to present.
^Rao, Subha J. (6 February 2016). "A new face". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2019 – via www.thehindu.com.
