Pudukottai Ulaganathan Chinnaswamy Pillai (5 May 1916 – 23 September 1951), popularly known as P. U. Chinnappa, was an Indian actor and playback singer during the 30s era from Pudukottai, India. He is also credited as one of the first major influential actors of Tamil cinema. His notable movies include Uthama Puthiran, Aryamala, Kannagi, Manonmani, Kubera Kuchela and Jagathalapratapan.
He attained the superstar status in his career, but it didn't last long because of his sudden demise.
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Early life
P. U. Chinnaswamy Pillai "Chinnappa" was born to P. Ulaganathan Pillai and Meenakshi Ammal on 5 May 1916. He had two sisters. His father was a stage artist and hence he made his way easily into stage acting. Chinnappa had completed his education only till 4th grade, he was not much involved in academics, he was rather interested in acting. As a kid too he acted in several stage shows. Chinnappa's acting as a thief in Sadaram stage play as a kid won applause from audiences. Not just acting, Chinnappa was interested in wrestling and Silambam too. Since his family was poor, at the age of 5 he went to rope production work for 5 rupees per month. However, he didn't work there for a long time.
