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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actor Rajesh passes away at 75
Chennai: Veteran actor Rajesh, whose oeuvre included the anti-hero in K Balachander 's award-winning 'Achamillai Achamillai' (1984) and a kind Dr Anand in K Bhagyaraj's 'Andha Yezhu Natkal' (1981), died on Thursday of a massive cardiac arrest. He was 75 and is survived by a son and daughter. Governor R N Ravi, who condoled his death, said, "His remarkable versatility and presence enriched Tamil cinema for decades." Chief minister MK Stalin, who paid his respects along with deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, said former chief minister M Karunanidhi attended his wedding and other functions at his house. "Considering his long experience, TN appointed him chairman of MGR Film and Television Institute in 2022. " Several politicians including minister M P Swaminathan, leader of opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami and MDMK general secretary Vaiko condoled his death. Actor and MNM chief Kamal Haasan wrote on X: "Among the actors who were passionate about acting, my dear friend Rajesh was known for his extensive reading and thoughtful reflection on what he read. His passing, having lived his life with enthusiasm and action until the very end, brings great sadness..." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In the past few days, he had been hosting shows on astrology. Mannargudi-born Rajesh Williams, who acted in nearly 150 films in Tamil and Malayalam besides TV serials, in several interviews recalled being a shy boy at school where in Class III he first got on stage, danced with his teacher's son and froze. In the 1970s, he came to Chennai where he worked as a teacher before landing a small role in Balachander's 'Aval Oru Thodar Kathai' (1974). In 1979 he was cast as hero in 'Kanni Paruvathile' and then ran the gamut from a thorough gentleman trying to woo Radhika in Mahendran's 'Metti' (1982), to a rapist who later reforms in R C Sakthi's 'Sirai' (1984) opposite Lakshmi. He was cast alongside such stars as Sivaji Ganesan ('Simma Soppanam'), Rajinikant ('Thanikattu Raja' and 'Thai Veedu'), Kamal Haasan ('Sathya,' 'Mahanadhi,' and 'Virumaandi'). He later built a house in KK Nagar where many Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi movies were made, dabbled in the hotel industry and real estate and wrote biographies of Hollywood stars in Tamil. Sources said the funeral will be held on Sunday. MSID:: 121490329 413 |
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Rajinikanth mourns death of close friend Rajesh: ‘Causes me great heartache'
Tamil star Rajinikanth is deeply saddened by the sudden death of his close friend, veteran actor Rajesh, aka Rajesh Williams, on Thursday. He penned a note on X (formerly Twitter), writing about how the news has left him heartbroken. (Also Read: Veteran actor Rajesh dies in Chennai at 75, Radhika Sarathkumar sends condolences) Rajinikanth sent condolences to Rajesh's family on Thursday and wrote of how much he'll miss his friend on X. He wrote in Tamil, 'The news of the untimely death of my close friend, actor Rajesh, shocked me and caused me great heartache. A wonderful man, may his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.' Fans in the comments remembered Rajesh's fondness for Rajinikanth, posting pictures of when they spent time together. Many comments also expressed shock at the sudden death. On Thursday morning, Rajesh complained of low blood pressure and died on the way to the hospital. His nephew confirmed the same to DT Next. He is survived by daughter Divya and son Deepak. His wife, Joan Sylvia Vanathirayar, died in 2012. Rajesh's body will be brought back to his residence in Ramapuram, Chennai. His funeral will take place after his daughter's return from the US. Rajesh was a high school teacher before he ventured into acting, playing lead and supporting roles in hundreds of Tamil and Malayalam films and TV shows. He also starred in K Balachander's Achamillai Achamillai, after being introduced by him in Achamillai Achamillai, in a small role. Some of Rajesh's popular films include Thanneer Thanneer, Andha 7 Naatkal and Payanangal Mudivadhillai and TV shows like Alagai, Roja and Poove Unakkaga. He was most recently seen in Sriram Raghavan's Merry Christmas with Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif. Rajesh also ventured into hotels and real estate business, he is considered one of the top builders in Chennai.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Rajesh: An actor who could traverse the arc of emotions
Actor Rajesh, who passed away on Thursday (May 29, 2025), had a dignified presence. His roles were rooted in reality and devoid of the frills associated with celluloid. In life, he could be many things, actor, dubbing artiste, author, teacher, YouTuber, and builder. And he left an imprint in all these fields. When Tamil cinema moved from the MGR-Sivaji Ganesan era and stepped into the decades shaped by Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan from the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rajesh carved his own unique space. He could be the everyday man, your neighbour, the friendly officer, the warm villager, and to every role, he lent a depth. In a tight frame with the camera just focused on his face, he could hold attention with nuanced expressions through eyes that conveyed a lot. Rajesh could traverse the whole arc, from infinite sadness to simmering anger. Be it Achamillai Achamillai or Andha Ezhu Naatkal, the actor displayed a staggering range. In the former, he was an idealist losing his way in the cut and thrust of politics, and remained unapologetic about it. In the latter, he is this endearing husband trying to help his wife get back to her former lover. If self-obsession defined one role, the second one was all about imminent sacrifice even if Andha Ezhu Naatkal, one of Mani Ratnam's favourite screenplays, opted for a safe climax. Many viewers would remember the tapestry of this K. Bhagyaraj film, high on humour and pathos. A particular scene marinated in sorrow still pulls the audience due to its innate irony. Bhagyaraj, the music composer, is creating a tune for a scene in which the hero's mother passes away and in reality, Rajesh, who is narrating the story, had recently lost his mother too. Something triggers, grief strikes and Rajesh breaks down, and Bhagyaraj presumes that it is the effect of his music. That moment when Rajesh tries to restrain himself and then completely gives himself up to an all-consuming sadness, is a fine vignette of acting. Philosophical streak As years passed, he started doing supporting roles, and also forged an equation with Kamal, and was seen in the star's movies like Mahanadhi. An interview with Rajesh meant that diverse threads would crop up, be it films, literature, politics, atheism, and even astrology. If there was a philosophical streak in him, equally there was a financial angle too, and it was no surprise when he forayed into the real-estate sector. There was an air of pragmatism to him, one that was evident in his roles and the way he dealt with life. Much before Rajkiran and a few others got into the zone of actors offering relatability on screen, it was Rajesh, who walked that tightrope in an arena that was supposed to be surreal and dream-like. As Rajesh departs after 75 summers, the creative space in Tamil will be poorer.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Veteran actor Rajesh dies in Chennai at 75, Radhika Sarathkumar sends condolences
Veteran actor and businessman Rajesh Williams, who had acted in hundreds of Tamil and Malayalam films and TV serials, died in Chennai on Thursday (29 May). He was 75. Through his career, Rajesh was known for playing a range of roles as a lead actor and a supporting character artiste. Rajesh's nephew confirmed the news to DT Next that the actor-businessman died on Thursday. He had complained of low blood pressure in the morning and had died on the way to the hospital. He is survived by daughter Divya and son Deepak, who debuted as an actor in 2014. His wife, Joan Sylvia Vanathirayar, died in 2012. After news broke of his death, Radhika Sarathkumar mourned his passing on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, '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.' Producer-author G Dhananjayen posted, 'Very sad to read about the passing away of Actor #Rajesh sir, a fine actor and a respected person in film industry. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Rest in peace sir.' Rajesh was born in 1949 to Williams Nattar and lily Grace Mankondar at Mannargudi, Tiruvarur. He worked as a high school teacher from 1972 to 1979. In 1974, he debuted as an actor with Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, but it was with a small role. He only got the opportunity to act as a lead in the 1979 film Kanni Paruvathile. He acted in the 1984 film Achamillai Achamillai, by K. Balachander. Rajesh also worked in TV shows like Micro Thodargal-Azhukku Vetti and Karthigai Deepam most recently. He was last seen in the Vijay Sethupathi, Katrina Kaif-starrer Merry Christmas by Sriram Raghavan as Yadhoom Uncle in the Tamil version of the film. Rajesh also ventured into the hotel and real estate businesses, becoming one of the leading builders in Chennai.
