Veteran Tamil actor Rajesh passes away at his residence in Chennai

Veteran actor Rajesh

Veteran Tamil actor Rajesh has passed away, leaving an undying wound on the industry. The actor passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 at his residence in Ramapuram, Chennai. Rajesh has done over 150 films in South Indian cinema and has been one of the biggest names in the industry. The actor is survived by two kids, daughter Divya and son Deepak.

Rajesh's mortal remains are kept at his residence for his fans, relatives, and family members to pay their last respects. With a career spanning over decades, Rajesh has been one of the most important actors for the South Indian industry.

Rajesh started his career as school teacher

Born on December 20, 1949, in Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvarur district, Rajesh began his professional journey as a school teacher. However, driven by a passion for acting, he eventually left teaching and made a foray into films - a decision that marked the beginning of an illustrious and impactful career in Indian cinema.

Rajesh's film career

Rajesh made his acting debut in Aval Oru Thodarkathai (1974), a critically acclaimed Tamil film directed by K. Balachander. His talent was quickly recognized, 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 also an accomplished dubbing artist, lending his voice to several notable projects. His deep, distinctive voice and emotive delivery added dimension to many characters. 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. Rajesh 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 on audiences.

(Inputs from IANS)