Thadi Balaji (real name: Balaji; full birth name unconfirmed) is an Indian actor, TV anchor, and comedian born on 17 February 1978 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, belonging to the Brahmin community. He completed his schooling in Chennai. He made his acting debut in the 1997 Tamil film Nandhini, starring Prakash Raj and Suhasini. He built his career mainly as a comedian and character actor in TV and films, appearing in Sachein (2005), Sura (2010), Mappillai (2011), Lingaa (2014), Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen (2016), and others. In television, he became a star as the co-host of Vijay TV's Naduvula Konjam Disturb Pannuvom (with Erode Mahesh), winning the Vijay Television Awards for Favourite Anchor Pair (2017), and as a judge on Kalakka Povathu Yaaru (Seasons 5-7) and Sirippu Da. He married his second wife Nithya in 2009, and the couple divorced in 2017, citing domestic abuse allegations (which Balaji denied). The couple - both of whom entered Bigg Boss Tamil Season 2 (2018) - have a daughter named Poshika. In the Bigg Boss house, he was evicted on Day 96, finishing 6th. He also participated in Bigg Boss Ultimate (2022).
Tamil TV anchor show Naduvula Konjam Disturb Pannuvom (Vijay TV) alongside Erode Mahesh - won Vijay Television Awards for Favourite Anchor Pair (2017); judge on Kalakka Povathu Yaaru (Seasons 5, 6 & 7, Star Vijay) and Sirippu Da; Tamil films Lingaa (2014), Sura (2010), and Sachein (2005); participated in Bigg Boss Tamil Season 2 (2018, 6th place) and Bigg Boss Ultimate (2022).
