End of an era in South cinema as veteran Tamil actor Rajesh dies at 75

VETERAN Tamil actor Rajesh, celebrated for his versatile performances across more than 150 films in South Indian cinema, died at his residence in Ramapuram, Chennai, today at the age of 75.

He is survived by his daughter Divya and son Deepak.

Born on December 20, 1949, in Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvarur District, Rajesh began his professional journey as a schoolteacher.

Driven by a passion for acting, he eventually left teaching and forayed into films - a decision that marked the beginning of an illustrious and impactful career in Indian cinema.

Rajesh made his acting debut in Aval Oru Thodarkathai (1974), a critically-acclaimed Tamil film directed by K Balachander.

His talent was quickly recognised, and he went on to play the lead role in Kanni Paruvathile (1979), produced by Rajkannu, which marked his breakthrough as a hero.

Over the decades, Rajesh became a familiar and respected figure across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and other South Indian language films.

Known for his expressive performances and commanding screen presence, he seamlessly transitioned between lead, supporting, and character roles.

In addition to acting, Rajesh was an accomplished dubbing artist, lending his voice to several notable projects.

He shared screen space with several leading stars and worked under the direction of some of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the industry.

His association with director K Balachander remained particularly significant. In Achamillai Achamillai, Rajesh delivered one of his most powerful performances, earning praise for his nuanced portrayal of political transformation.

He also had memorable collaborations with actor Kamal Haasan, appearing in films such as Sathya, Mahanadhi, and Virumaandi, where his character roles left a lasting impression. - IANS 

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