Indian actor Rajesh, veteran of over 150 films, dies at 75
The actor suffered a breathing difficulty in the wee hours, when he was rushed to the hospital, his family said. In a career lasting over five decades and nearly 150 films, Rajesh has acted in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu productions.
The celebrated director K Balachander, credited with nurturing the acting careers of icons such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Sridevi, Jayaprada and Prakash Raj, introduced Rajesh to cinema.
Some of the popular movies Rajesh starred in include 1981's Andha 7 Naatkal ("those seven days", remade in Hindi as Woh Saat Din), the 1974 cult classic Aval oru thodarkathai (she is a novel), Payanangal Mudivathillai (never-ending journeys), the celebrated political biopic of 1997 Iruvar (the duo), Ramana and Saamy (2001). Although he started his career as the lead actor, he went on to do supporting roles with aplomb.
Actor Rajnikanth, an associate of Rajesh, expressed his condolences.
"The news of the untimely death of my close friend, actor Rajesh, is deeply shocking to me. It causes immense emotional pain. A wonderful human being, may his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends," the extremely popular actor wrote in Tamil on X (formerly Twitter).
�ன�ன���ய ந�ர����ிய நண�ரர�, ந�ி�ர� ரா��ஷ� �வர��ளின� ��ால மரண�� ��ய�தி �ன���� �திர����ியளி���ிறத�. மி��ந�த மன வ�தன�ய�த� தர��ிறத�.
�ர�ம�யான மனிதர�, �வர���ய �த�மா �ாந�திய��ய����ம�.
�வர���ய ����ம�ரத�தினர�����ம�, நண�ரர��ள�����ம� �ன�ன���ய �ழ�ந�த �ன�தார���ள�. #ActorRajesh
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 29, 2025
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin visited the late actor's house and paid his last respects. Stalin, India Today reported, condoled with the actor's family members.
The funeral is expected to take place once the actor's daughter arrives from the US, the outlet said.
Actor-producer and politician Radikaa Sarathkumar, who had worked with Rajesh in many films and tele-serials, too expressed her condolences.
Deeply shocked and sudden to hear of #rajesh s unexpected demise. Shared so many movies together and had a deep respect to his wide knowledge of cinema and life, will be missed by family, friends and film fraternity. #RIP ��� pic.twitter.com/o0IQQaQtTU
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) May 29, 2025
Rajesh was also a voice artist, dubbing for the Malayalam actor Murali in the Tamil rom-com Dum Dum Dum (2001) and for Nedumudi Venu in Poi Solla Porom (we're going to lie), the Tamil remake of the Bollywood comedy drama Khosla ka ghosla.
The actor is survived by two children—a son and a daughter.
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