# Shiva (சிவா) (actor)
**Shiva** (சிவா), known professionally as **Mirchi Shiva**, is an Indian actor, comedian, radio jockey, and occasional writer who works in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema). He first worked as a radio jockey with [Radio Mirchi](https://www.edgepedia.org/radio-mirchi), which gave him his stage name, and became a film lead with [Venkat Prabhu](https://www.edgepedia.org/venkat-prabhu)'s cricket comedy *Chennai 600028* (2007).[1](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/biography.html) He is best known for comedy and satire, above all the spoof film *Thamizh Padam* (2010) and its 2018 sequel.[2](https://tamilurl.com/celebrities/mirchi-shiva/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Shiva Kumaravel[2](https://tamilurl.com/celebrities/mirchi-shiva/) |
| Born | 1982; sources differ on the birthplace, giving Chennai[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/shiva/) or Udumalaipettai in Tirupur district, with a later move to Chennai[4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms) |
| Occupations | Actor, comedian, radio jockey, television presenter, lyricist, and dialogue writer[5](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi.html) • [4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms) |
| Screen debut | Cameo role in *12B* (2001)[1](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/biography.html) |
| Lead debut | *Chennai 600028* (2007), directed by Venkat Prabhu, in the role of Karthik[1](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/biography.html) |
| Signature films | *Thamizh Padam* (2010) and *Tamizh Padam 2* (2018), *Kalakalappu* (2012), *Vanakkam Chennai* (2013)[2](https://tamilurl.com/celebrities/mirchi-shiva/) |
| Output | More than 25 Tamil films, mostly in comic lead roles[4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms) |
| Spouse | Priya, married in 2012; a national-level badminton player[4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms) |
## Radio career and move to film
Before acting, Shiva worked as a radio jockey at the FM station Radio Mirchi, and the station's name supplied his popular stage name, Mirchi Shiva.[5](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi.html) In an interview with the film website [Behindwoods](https://www.edgepedia.org/behindwoods) he said he joined as an RJ in 2003 and that the contacts he made in radio carried him into cinema.[6](https://www.behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/shiva.html) He has also hosted television programs and private events.[4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms)
His first screen appearance was a small role as the hero's friend in *12B* (2001).[4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms)
## Film career
**Chennai 600028 and Saroja.** Shiva's debut as a leading actor came in Venkat Prabhu's *Chennai 600028* (2007), a comedy centered on street cricket, in which he was one of ten debutant leads playing Karthik.[1](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/biography.html) The film was a commercial success and was noted for its light-hearted approach and fresh script; his comic scene practicing how to woo the heroine was especially well received.[1](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/biography.html) He followed it with a significant role in Prabhu's thriller *Saroja*, a performance that was also appreciated.[1](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/biography.html)
**Thamizh Padam and the spoof niche.** Shiva rose to stardom with *Thamizh Padam* (2010), directed by C. S. Amudhan, a satire that mocks the conventions of Tamil commercial cinema; the film became a cult classic, and its sequel *Tamizh Padam 2* (2018) was also well received.[2](https://tamilurl.com/celebrities/mirchi-shiva/) In *Thamizh Padam* his character was given the on-screen title "Agila Ulaga Superstar" (World-Class Superstar), a parody of star titles that fans then adopted for the actor himself.[7](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/soodhu-kavvum-2-actor-mirchi-shiva-replies-to-akila-ulaga-superstar-title-controversy-207876)
**Comic leads.** His filmography as a comic lead includes *Kalakalappu* (2012), *Sonna Puriyathu* (2013), *Vanakkam Chennai* (2013), and *Masala Padam* (2015), along with the remake of *Thillu Mullu* (2013) and *[Kalakalappu 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/kalakalappu-2)* (2018).[2](https://tamilurl.com/celebrities/mirchi-shiva/) • [8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/shiva) Commentators describe his style as built on improvisation, deadpan delivery, and the ability to carry comedy-centered films as a lead.[2](https://tamilurl.com/celebrities/mirchi-shiva/) In a 2025 interview with OTTplay, Shiva said that doing his own brand of films was a deliberate choice: "If six people are running on the ground, then it is hard. But what if I am the only one running."[9](https://www.ottplay.com/interview/actor-shiva-paranthu-po-is-a-film-based-on-millions-of-true-stories-exclusive/644e280680673)
**Recent work.** After a gap in which he said he had decided to step back from films, he returned with *Idiot* (2022), *Naai Sekar* (2022), *Kasethan Kadavulada* (2023), and *Single Shankarum Smartphone Simranum* (2023).[10](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/mirchi-siva-why-not-acting-so-far-he-explains-46355) • [8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/shiva) He played Gurunath "Guru" in *[Soodhu Kavvum 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/soodhu-kavvum-2)* (2024).[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/shiva) In 2025 he appeared in Ram's *Paranthu Po*, a family film he described as a heartfelt story about parental sacrifices, and in S. P. Hosimin's *[Sumo](https://www.edgepedia.org/sumo-film)*.[9](https://www.ottplay.com/interview/actor-shiva-paranthu-po-is-a-film-based-on-millions-of-true-stories-exclusive/644e280680673) • [11](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/filmography.html) Films listed as upcoming include Sundar C's *Kalakalappu 3* (December 2025), *Pinleben* (October 2025), *Golmaal* (February 2026), and *Saloon* (August 2026).[11](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/filmography.html)
## Writing and other credits
Shiva has worked behind the camera as well. He wrote and sang the song "Sowdhi Basha" in *Va* (2010) and "Rosa Hey" in *Sonna Puriyathu* (2013), and he wrote the dialogues for *Aadama Jaichomada* (2014).[4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms) Rotten Tomatoes credits him as director, writer, and screenwriter on *Charlie* (2015).[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/shiva)
## Personal life
Shiva married Priya in 2012; she has played badminton at the national level.[4](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms) In interviews he has said he keeps his family life separate from cinema.[10](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/mirchi-siva-why-not-acting-so-far-he-explains-46355)
## References
1. [Shiva (Mirchi Shiva) Biography, FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/biography.html)
2. [Mirchi Shiva, Tamil URL](https://tamilurl.com/celebrities/mirchi-shiva/)
3. [Shiva: News, Movies, Photos & Updates, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/about/shiva/)
4. [Lesser-known facts about actor Mirchi Shiva, Samayam Tamil](https://tamil.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/lesser-known-facts-about-actor-mirchi-shiva/photoshow/120478281.cms)
5. [சிவா: திரைப்படங்கள், வயது, பயோடேட்டா, Filmibeat Tamil](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi.html)
6. [Shiva interview, Behindwoods](https://www.behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/shiva.html)
7. [Mirchi Shiva replies to Agila Ulaga Superstar title controversy, ABP Live Tamil](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/soodhu-kavvum-2-actor-mirchi-shiva-replies-to-akila-ulaga-superstar-title-controversy-207876)
8. [Shiva Movies & TV Shows List, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/shiva)
9. [Actor Shiva: Paranthu Po interview, OTTplay](https://www.ottplay.com/interview/actor-shiva-paranthu-po-is-a-film-based-on-millions-of-true-stories-exclusive/644e280680673)
10. [Mirchi Shiva on why he was not acting, ABP Live Tamil](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/mirchi-siva-why-not-acting-so-far-he-explains-46355)
11. [Shiva filmography in Tamil, Filmibeat Tamil](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/shiva-mirchi/filmography.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Tamil film actors › Surnames R to S*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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