Even before he made his foray into films, Yogi Babu had a successful run in the much-loved satirical television programme, Lollu Sabha
This is where everything began. This is where Babu became Yogi Babu. This is where we first saw glimpses of Yogi Babu's comic timing. What a start!Babu goes to Bollywood, and he started off working opposite the Baadshah himself in Chennai Express. Standing opposite Shah Rukh, Yogi Babu delivered his one-liners with the ease of a veteranBack home he began doing small roles that caught the attention of the audience. Though he didn't play full-length roles, Yogi started to standout. Sivakarthikeyan's Maan Karate was a shining exampleThe film that elevated him to the major league. Yaamiruka Bayamey starred him in the role of 'Panni Moonji Vaaya', which went on to become a moniker, and also kick-started a lot of body shaming jokesAnother of his 'small duration maximum impact' role, Yogi Babu, as a beggar, rocked alongside Sivakarthikeyan in Kaaki SattaiTwo minutes. Just two minutes. And a rip-roaring sequence. Yogi Babu is such a delight in this small scene in Arulnithi's Demonte ColonyA slice-of-life film had Yogi Babu and Ramesh Thilak play two conmen, who also try to outwit each other. That 'Enakke Viboodhi adikka paathe la' dialogue has been immortalised in Tamil meme cultureKirumi starred Yogi Babu in one of his first roles that didn't only tap into his comic talent. Putting on his dancing shoes, Yogi delivered on that front tooNot everyone has the confidence to appear for just a few minutes in a star vehicle. But again, not everyone is Yogi Babu. He plays second fiddle to Rajendran in Vedalam, but still manages to shineAnother standout satirical performance. Yogi Babu outperforms a bunch of other versatile comedians in the cast of Enakku Innoru Per Irukku.Aandavan Kattalai saw Yogi Babu deliver a brilliant performance as someone who moves to UK on a fake passport. His affecting monologue in the climax made us see him in a different lightMetro is a serious film right from the first scene. Everything was grim and dark. Then Yogi Babu appears in one scene. A serious scene yet again, but his one-liner steals the show.Sivakarthikeyan stalks Keerthy Suresh. Yogi Babu stalks Sivakarthikeyan. One became an outrage-worthy material. One became comedy. Well...By now, Yogi Babu was someone who could take potshots at the hero of his film. He didn't spare Vijay either in Atlee's Mersal.The rise of Yogi Babu can be charted by noting the screentime and performance in the Kalakalappu franchise. The sequel came six years later. Yogi Babu was now a starTravelling throughout with Vijay Sethupathi in Junga, Yogi Babu made the ride seem a lot more easier than it actually was.A Star was Born in Kolamavu Kokila. Who would have conceived Yogi Babu opposite Nayanthara? WHo would have believed they would pull it off like a boss? Kalyana vayasu became an anthemYogi not just made us laugh, but also cry, ponder, and look at his performance with awe. Yogi Babu was a revelation and full points to Mari Selvaraj for his casting choiceA role at an important juncture. Not much to do, but the crux was the audience's disappointment that Yogi wasn't used effectively. He became a force to reckon... An audience favouriteUnlike in Vedhalam, Viswasam saw Yogi Babu take on a slightly longer role, and he delivered it with aplomb. Standing out in a star vehicle is never an easy taskBody shaming humour is not exactly humour, but Yogi Babu seems to not mind him being used for milking the easy laughs. The entire sketch in Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven revolved around this genreYogi as Police officer M Jackson in 100 was the perfect foil in this film that took a serious turn. Yogi also seems extremely comfortable working with director Sam AntonFirst solo film as a hero is a major step forward. Taking on a role made iconic by Goundamani and Vinu Chakravarthy is added pressure. Dharmaprabhu, Yogi Babu's hero debut, wasn't quite the successThings changed almost immediately with Sam Anton's Gurkha. ALmost every one-liner landed, every gag worked, and every outlandish joke made the audience laugh. Yogi 'The HERO' Babu is finally here!