In the days of his combination with Ilayaraja and Gangai Amaran, his movies were superhits not only for the songs but also for the son-of-the-soil storyline. He struck a distinctively favorable chord with the audience as a village hero who rode over his urban counterparts. He nursed political ambitions and became the Tiruchendur Lok Sabha MP. Alas, it was not to last too long. On his way up, he made a lot of foes who were only too happy on his return downwards. His personal life was nothing worth writing about. After a messy divorce and financial strain for paying off compensation, he is in a limbo now. Yet he refuses offers to act in television serials while his erstwhile wife is a leading TV star now. Also, as far as big screen roles are concerned, he still believes he is hero material and declines guest appearances and elder brother or uncle roles.