Mumbai: Veteran Tamil actor Delhi Ganesh, who graced the silver screen for nearly three decades, passed away on Saturday night at the age of 80 due to health complications. His son, Mahadevan, shared the news on Instagram, confirming, “We deeply regret to inform you that our father Mr. Delhi Ganesh has passed away on 9th November around 11 pm.”
Born and raised in Delhi, Ganesh began his illustrious career in Tamil cinema under the mentorship of acclaimed director K. Balachander in Pattina Pravesam (1976). A former Indian Air Force serviceman, Ganesh became known as “Delhi Ganesh” after joining Balachander’s team, transitioning from theatre performances with the Dakshina Bharata Nataka Sabha to a prolific film career. Over the years, he appeared in more than 400 films, carving a niche for himself as one of Tamil cinema’s most versatile actors.
Delhi Ganesh was a familiar face in numerous Kamal Haasan films, spanning classics like Nayakan (1987) and Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) to Thenali (2000) and Indian 2 (2023). Reflecting on his collaborations with Kamal Haasan, Ganesh once shared that working with Haasan gave him some of his most recognized roles. “Kamal gives a lot of space to actors, and he trusts you. That makes all the difference,” he remarked in a 2021 interview.
Throughout his career, Ganesh delivered impactful performances in films such as Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), and Aahaa..! (1997). Known for his adaptability, he worked across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi films, receiving the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize in 1979 for Pasi and the prestigious Kalaimamani Award in 1994.
Delhi Ganesh’s legacy as a beloved character actor in Tamil cinema, and his contributions to Indian cinema at large, will be remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
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