Before entering films, Dhandapani was a businessman in
Dindigul. Along with his various businesses, he was actively involved in various honorary postings in the town. In 2004 he was selected by film director
Balaji Sakthivel to play the role of lead actress Sandhya's father in
Kaadhal. This was his film breakthrough, and led to an acting career spanning more than 200 films. Dhandapani's films include
Englishkaran,
Chithiram Pesuthadi,
Unakkum Enakkum,
Vattaram,
Muni,
Velayudham,and
Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam. ==Death==