T. C. Balaji (2 December 1975 – 29 March 2024), better known by his stage name Daniel Balaji, was an Indian actor, who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry and in some Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films.
Early life Balaji was born in Chennai to a Telugu father (from Chittoor) and a Tamil mother (from Arcot). He studied a film direction course in Taramani film institute, Chennai. His mother and Murali's mother are sisters. His uncle is S. Siddalingaiah. His nephew is Atharvaa.
Career In 1998, Balaji began his film career as a unit production manager on the sets of Kamal Haasan's unreleased Marudhanayagam and as an assistant director for the delayed Kamarasu.
Balaji's first role was in the television serial Chithi, where he played a character named Daniel. After the success of the show, in his second serial Alaigal, director Sunder K. Vijayan, named him as Daniel Balaji based on his own character in Chithi.
His first film in Tamil was April Maadhathil, followed by a role in Kaadhal Kondein. His first major role was in Kaakha Kaakha as a police officer alongside Suriya, who played the leading role. The film, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, was about a squad of policemen fighting organized crime in Chennai. Balaji followed this up with another major role in Menon's next film, that of the antagonist Amudhan in the blockbuster film Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu. The film starred Kamal Haasan and was a police procedural focusing on a series of murders. Balaji's portrayal of both these roles received praise.
His next film, Polladhavan, was also successful. He also acted as one of the villains in the Telugu film Chirutha and followed this up by playing the hero in Muthirai, produced by Vision Jeeva Studios.
Balaji made his debut in Malayalam cinema through Black. Later, he was cast the villain in Bhagavan (opposite Mohanlal) and Daddy Cool (opposite Mammootty).
Death Daniel Balaji died of a heart attack in Chennai on 29 March 2024, at the age of 48.
Filmography Year Title Role Language Notes 2002 April Madhathil Suresh Tamil Debut film role 2003 Kaadhal Kondein Police Inspector Kaakha Kaakha Srikanth 2004 Black Ezhumalai Malayalam Samba Goon Telugu Gharshana Srikanth 2006 Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Amudhan Sukumaran Tamil November Rain Majeed Ali Malayalam Photographer Inspector 2007 Polladhavan Ravi Tamil Chirutha Beeku Telugu 2009 Muthirai Azhagu Tamil Bhagavan Saifudeen Malayalam Daddy Cool Siva 2011 Kirataka Seena Kannada 2012 Mithivedi Asoka Tamil Crime Story Shivan Malayalam 12 Hours Antony Raj 2013 Paisa Paisa Auto driver 2014 Marumugam Mayazhagan Tamil Gnana Kirukkan Ganesan Shivajinagara Mohammed Ali Kannada 2015 Yennai Arindhaal Assassin Tamil Guest appearance Dove Kannada Vai Raja Vai Randhe Tamil 2016 Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada Hiren Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo Telugu 2017 Bairavaa Kottai Veeran Tamil Enbathettu Ippadai Vellum Chota Yazh Asokan Maayavan Rudran Bangalore Underworld ACP Thomas Kannada 2018 Vidhi Madhi Ultaa Danie Tamil Vada Chennai Thambi 2019 Gangs of Madras Boxy Tamil Bigil Daniel 2021SuryasthamayamTelugu Tuck Jagadish Veerendra Naidu Released on Amazon Prime Anandham Vilayadum Veedu Karuppan Tamil 2023 Ariyavan Thuraipandi 2024 Rajakili John Cameo appearance2025 BP 180 Arnold Final film role; Cameo appearance; Posthumous release
Television Year Title Role Channel 2000-2001 Chithi Daniel Sun TV 2001-2002 Alaigal Dharma
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