Rajesh Dies Age 75; Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan Mourn The Death Of Tamil Actor

Veteran Tamil actor Rajesh passed away on Thursday. He was aged 75.

Born in 1949 in Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district, he did his education in Dindigul, Vadamadurai, Melanatham Aanaikadu and Chinnamanur Theni district.

His career began with legendary filmmaker K Balachanders acclaimed film Aval Oru Thodarkathai. He played a lead role in Kannipparuvathile. Gradually, he started doing supporting roles and worked in over 150 movies in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages. Sathya, Sivakasi, Thirupathi, Varalaaru, Mahanadhi and Virumaandi were some of his memorable movies.

In his career spanning over decades, Rajesh worked with many leading names including Kamal Haasan, Vijay and Ajith Kumar. His last movie remains 'Merry Christmas' which starred Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif.

A born a Christian and a follower of Periyaar's ideology, he was married to Joan Sylvia Vanathirayar, who is the grand daughter of the famous social reformist and Dravidian leader Pattukottai Davis Vanathirayar.

It has to be noted that he was the first Tamil actor to build a bungalow for the purpose of shooting movies in 1985 near KK Nagar in Chennai. Legendary actor and former Tamil Nadu CM MG Ramachandran had inaugurated the building. He then ventured into real estate business.

He was also associated with the AIADMK and a supporter of MGR's wife Janaki.

Condolence Pour In

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has expressed his condolences over the demise of Rajesh. In a post on X, he wrote, "The news of the death of my close friend, actor Rajesh, shocks me and causes me great heartache.A wonderful man, may his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends."

Kamal Haasan said, "Among the sought-after performers, my dear friend Rajesh was the one who read the most and thought about what he read. His passing, who lived his life with undiminished enthusiasm and activity until the end, is deeply saddening. I extend my condolences to his family who are grieving his loss."

Actress Kasturi, in a post on X, wrote: "What an actor ! What an Intellectual ! What a man !
Who will talk to me about the relation between Adam Smith and Andipatti ..... Miss you miss you my teacher Rajesh sir !"