Latest news with #SivajiGanesan
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Sri Lankan actor Malini Fonseka dies
Renowned Sri Lankan actor Malini Fonseka — who played the female lead in the Tamil film 'Pilot Premnath' [1978] starring Sivaji Ganesan — passed away in Colombo on Saturday (May 24, 2025). She was 78. Having begun her acting career in the early 1960s in Sinhala theatre, Ms. Fonseka went on to become a sought-after artiste and film star, winning several awards. She became familiar to Indian audiences with her role in 'Pilot Premnath', a joint Indo-Sri Lankan production directed by A.C. Trilokachander, which was filmed across many scenic locations on the island. In a 2023 piece on actor Sivaji Ganesan, senior journalist D.B.S. Jeyaraj pointed to the lively song 'Udarata Menike' in the film, sung by L.R. Easwari and A.E. Manoharan, based on Sri Lanka's popular musical form 'Baila'. The film was a hit in both countries. Ms. Fonseka was also a Member of Parliament representing President Mahinda Rajapaksa's alliance from 2010 to 2015, through the 'National List', which allots seats to political parties based on their share of votes as per Sri Lanka's proportional representation system. She remained a staunch supporter of Mr. Rajapaksa. Years after the end of the civil war, Ms. Fonseka, along with other top Sri Lankan actors, invited their counterparts in Tamil Nadu to visit Sri Lanka and assess the post-war situation, when the South Indian Artistes Association observed a fast in support of the Sri Lankan Tamil cause. 'The Sri Lankan film industry has borrowed many ideas, techniques and technicians from Tamil Nadu. The two film industries have had a very friendly and positive relationship from the 1950s onwards. We want that to continue,' Ms. Fonseka told The Hindu in 2013. 'It was a delight working with Sivaji Ganesan,' she said. In 2019, Ms. Fonseka inaugurated the Women's International Film Fest organised by Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) at St. Teresa's College in Kochi, and called for greater collaboration between technicians from India and Sri Lanka. Ms. Fonseka's final rites would be held with state honours on Monday, authorities announced.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"I am rusting...": When Sivaji Ganesan told Kamal Haasan he wanted to redo close-ups in 'Thevar Magan'
Kamal Haasan 's deep respect and affection for the legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan is well known. Even over two decades after Ganesan's passing, Kamal continues to acknowledge the towering influence his mentor had on his craft and career. In a recent interview with during the promotions of his upcoming film 'Thug Life', Kamal Haasan fondly recalled working with Sivaji Ganesan in the 1992 National Award-winning Tamil film 'Thevar Magan', which was produced under Kamal's banner, Raaj Kamal Films International. "We'll have to wind down and wind up because we forget. I still remember Sivaji Saab, the actor for us, wanting to redo all his close-ups in Thevar Magan, which I produced. I didn't even want to know why. But still, I had to ask him. Not because of the expense. What he said, at once, humbled me, and I called the unit and said, Do all the close-ups you want. He said, 'It's been nine months since I acted. I'm rusting, it shows. Can I redo it again?' That's where I learned from. That day, I learned it," shared Kamal, fondly remembering the valuable lessons he learnt while working with thespian Sivaji Ganesan. Directed by Bharathan , Thevar Magan explored a powerful father-son dynamic with Sivaji Ganesan playing the father and Kamal the son. The film went on to win five National Film Awards, including Best Tamil Film, Best Supporting Actress for Revathi, and a Special Jury Award for Ganesan, which he later declined. Thug Life | Song - Sugar Baby (Lyrical) In 2023, Kamal Haasan paid a heartfelt tribute to Sivaji Ganesan on his 95th birth anniversary. "A singular artist who created hundreds of people within himself and gave them to the world. He presented art not as acting but as life. Today is the birthday of the great actor Sivaji Ganesan, Tamil Nadu's answer to the world's best actors. It is our honour to wish you," Kamal Haasan wrote on his X. Kamal and Ganesan first appeared together on screen when Kamal was a child artist in Parthal Pasi Theerum. The duo was also featured in 'Naam Pirandha Mann'. Having made a successful transition from stage to screen in 1952 with the landmark film Parasakthi, Sivaji Ganesan--popularly known as 'Nadigar Thilagam' (the pride of actors)--built a career that spanned nearly five decades and earned him a revered place in Indian cinema history. He passed away on July 21, 2001, but remains a source of inspiration for generations of actors and fans alike. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Chiranjeevi was ‘humiliated' when stars like Sivaji Ganesan were ignored at National Awards while Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar were celebrated: ‘It was like an insult'
Chiranjeevi has been a part of Indian movies for almost 50 years now and continues to be one of the most significant cultural figures of Telugu cinema. But despite being one of the most loved stars of the country, Chiranjeevi felt 'insulted' and 'humiliated' when he visited New Delhi for the National Awards ceremony in 1989. Chiranjeevi shared that when his film Rudraveena was honoured with the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, he realised that bureaucrats in the government in Delhi saw 'Hindi cinema as Indian cinema' and he saw this as an insult towards the other cinema industries of the country. At the pre-release event for his film Acharya in 2022, Chiranjeevi recalled that he was invited for a high tea ceremony by the government in 1989 before the National Awards ceremony. He recalled looking at a wall that celebrated the icons of cinema like Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan but omitted legends like Sivaji Ganesan and Raj Kumar. 'I kept walking in expectation to see something on south films. However, there was only a still of MGR with Jayalalithaa and a photo of Prem Nazir. They titled it as South Films. Just that. They did not recognise stalwarts like Raj Kumar or Vishnuvardhan or NT Ramarao or Nageshwara Rao or Sivaji Ganesan or even the legendary filmmakers of our industries. I felt very humiliated at that moment. It was like an insult. They portrayed Hindi cinema as Indian cinema. While other films were categorised as 'regional films' and were not given respect,' he recalled. Chiranjeevi said that he spoke about it back then as well but did not get a satisfactory response. Chiranjeevi brought this up again Aha's special Fireside Chat with Rajeev Masand in 2024 where he shared that photos of stars like Dilip Kumar were hung on those walls but many stars from the south were ignored. 'From the South, there were photos of legendary Kannada superstar Rajkumar, and Tamil legend MGR. I felt bad that photos of our very own NT Rama Rao garu and Akkineni Nageswara Rao garu, and even Sivaji Ganesan sir weren't there,' he said. Chiranjeevi felt that the idea of Hindi cinema representing the entirety of Indian cinema was unfair but he was proud that after SS Rajamouli's Baahubali, things had started to change as films from other industries were not restricted by regional boundaries anymore. ALSO READ | 10 years of Bombay Velvet: Anurag Kashyap's messy love letter to cinema that was never understood In the last few years, the conversation around Hindi vs South cinema has gained momentum. In 2024, Pushpa 2 made more money in Hindi than its Telugu version. It was also the biggest Hindi grosser of the year, leaving behind films like Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
High Court upholds actor Prabhu's ownership of Sivaji Ganesan's ancestral home in loan dispute case
Actor Sivaji Ganesan 's grandson Dushyanth and his wife Abirami, who are partners in Eesan Productions, produced a film titled 'Jagajala Killadi' starring Vishnu Vishal and Nivetha Pethuraj. To finance this film, the company reportedly borrowed ₹3.74 crore from Dhanabhakiyam Enterprises, with a high annual interest of 30%. However, failure to repay the debt prompted the lender to take the matter to court. Mediation orders film rights transfer In response, the court appointed retired Justice Ravindran as an arbitrator. Operation Sindoor Op Sindoor: 'India won't give face-saving exit to Pak army chief Munir' 'Invoke emergency powers under civil defence rules': MHA to all states, UTs IPL 2025 suspended for one week with immediate effect, confirms BCCI After reviewing the case, he ordered Eesan Productions to hand over the complete rights of Jagajala Killadi to Dhanabhakiyam Enterprises, enabling the recovery of ₹9.39 crore, including interest. He also directed that any surplus after debt clearance should be returned to the production company. But Eesan Productions resisted, claiming that the film was yet to be completed and refused to part with the rights. Sivaji's ancestral home targeted for seizure by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Spacious 2, 3 & 4 BHK Homes at ₹88 L+* in Pune Dosti Greenscapes Learn More Undo To implement the arbitrator's decision, Dhanabhakiyam Enterprises approached the Madras High Court, seeking to seize Annai Illam, the family residence of the late actor Sivaji Ganesan. A single judge ruled in their favor, allowing the property to be attached. Actor Prabhu, however, filed a fresh petition asserting that Annai Illam was registered in his name and that his brother Ramkumar had no ownership rights. He urged the court to cancel the order. Prabhu wins interim relief, further hearings awaited After multiple hearings, the court ruled in Prabhu's favor last month, confirming his legal ownership and setting aside the seizure order as per Nakkheeran. Dhanabhakiyam Enterprises then filed an appeal. When the case came up today, the company requested a stay on the cancellation order, citing procedural lapses. The court, however, declined the request and directed both Prabhu and Ramkumar to file their responses by June 3. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . And don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras High Court seeks report from TN, centre on illegal immigrants
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Thursday sought a report from the central and state governments on the steps taken by them to deport illegal immigrants who are staying in Tamil Nadu. A vacation bench comprising justices M Dhandapani and R Sakthivel gave the direction on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by KK Ramesh of Madurai seeking a direction to the government to take action against foreign nationals, especially those from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Africa, who are illegally staying in India. Citing media reports, petitioner claimed that nearly 46,000 foreign nationals are illegally staying in Tamil Nadu despite expiry of their visa. He alleged that such persons collude with political party leaders and involve in illegal activities like transporting drugs, weapons, etc. He also cited the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and sought the above direction. He further sought an interim direction to cancel the registration of political parties which support terrorists. The judges orally observed that though the court issued a series of directions a few years ago to tackle the issue, the government has not taken any steps and remains a silent spectator. They issued notice to the Union Ministries of Home and External Affairs, Election Commission of India, State Home department and Director General of Police and directed them to file a report at the next hearing on June 9. Notice issued to Sivaji Ganesan's sons on appeal against lifting of bungalow's attachment order Chennai: The Madras HC on Thursday ordered notice to late actor Sivaji Ganesan's sons Prabhu and Ramkumar, and others, on an appeal filed by a film financing company challenging a single judge's order to recall the order for attachment of parts of late actor Sivaji Ganesan's T Nagar bungalow in a money dispute case. A vacation bench of justices N Mala and G Arul Murugan directed the respondents, including the late actor's sons and grandson Dusshyanth Ramkumar, to file counter-affidavit to the appeal moved by Dhanabakkiam Enterprises by June 3, 2025. However, the bench refused to stay the operation of the single judge's order and adjourned the hearing to June 3.
