Rajesh (20 December 1949 – 29 May 2025) was an Indian actor who performed in predominantly Tamil films and serials. He completed more than 50 years in films and appeared as lead roles and supporting roles in over 150 films.
Life and career Rajesh was born on 20 December 1949 to Williams Nattar and Lily Grace Mankondar at Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district, his family hails from Anaikkadu, in Thanjavur district, India in a Kallar (Thevar) family. He studied in Dindigul, Vadamadurai, Melanatham Aanaikadu and Chinnamanur Theni district. After finishing his PUC in Karaikudi Alagappa College, he joined Pachaiappas College, but did not complete his college education. He worked as a teacher in St Paul's High School, Purasawalkam and later at Kellett Higher Secondary School, Triplicane from 1972 to 1979.
In 1974, he got a chance to act in the film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai in a small role. His first film as a hero was Kanni Paruvathile (1979), produced by Rajkannu. Rajesh acted in Achamillai Achamillai, by K. Balachander. Later, he moved into playing character roles, and acted in movies with Kamal Haasan like Sathyaa (1988), Mahanadhi (1994) and Virumaandi (2004).
Later in life, he was in the hotel and real estate business, and he was a leading builder in the city. He also wrote biographies of Hollywood actors in Tamil.
He was a Christian, later he was active in Periyaar's ideologies, then he involved himself in Astrology. He wrote many books and articles about astrology.
Personal life In 1983, Rajesh married Joan Sylvia, daughter of Mr. Eddy Firbank a renowned NRI who lived 30 years in Middle East. They had one daughter Divya and one son Deepak, who made his acting debut in 2014. His wife died on 6 August 2012.
He was the first Tamil actor to build a bungalow for the purpose of movie shooting in 1985 near KK Nagar, Chennai, which was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. Many Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movie shootings were completed in that house. He later sold it in 1993, while starting his real estate business. In the early 1990s, as advised by his friend Jeppiaar, he started a Real Estate business, then he started hotel and construction business. He was active in politics from 1987 to 1991, supporting Janaki. He was also a follower of Karl Marx. He visited the UK and paid his tribute to the great leader.
Death Rajesh died from a heart attack in Chennai, in the early hours of 29 May 2025, at the age of 75.
Filmography All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted. As actor +List of performances in films Year Film Role Notes 1974 Aval Oru Thodar Kathai Petitioner Uncredited role 1979 Kanni Paruvathile Subbiah 1980 Thani Maram Thai Pongal Naan Naanethaan 1981 Andha 7 Naatkal Anand Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile Mayil Paakku Vethalai Velichathukku Vaanga 1982 Kannodu Kan Sivantha Kangal Thanikattu Raja Ethiraj's brother Deviyin Thiruvilayadal Payanangal Mudivathillai Mohan Metti Vijayan Vetri Namathe Avanukku Nigar Avane Kadhoduthan Naan Pesuven 1983 Anal Kaatru Kan Sivandhaal Man Sivakkum Thai Veedu Geetha's love interest Guest appearance Yaamirukka Bhayamen Yuga Dharmam 1984 Achamillai Achamillai Ulaganathan Alaya Deepam Ezhuthatha Sattangal Gopinath Kuzhandai Yesu Sanga Natham Simma Soppanam Labour Leader Sirai Anthony Naanayam Illatha Naanayam Inspector Irulappan Nee Thodum Pothu Ponnu Pudichirukku Mudivalla Arambam 1985 Ammavum Neeye Appavum Neeye Idhu Engal Raajiyam Uthami Sivashankar / Sivaram Kolusu Santhosha Kanavukal Kannan Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal Mari Muthu Samayapurathale Saatchi Chithirame Chitirame Chain Jayapal Melmaruvathur Aadhi Parasakthi Rajathi Rojakili Surutaiyan Veli 1986 Sarvam Sakthimayam Nilave Malare Raghu Mahasakthi Maariamman Manakanakku Pandiyan Melmaruvathur Arpudhangal Mari Muthu Yaro Ezhudhia Kavithai Mannukkul Vairam Velappa 1987 Ilangeswaran Ilangeswaran Kaalam Maaruthu Murugane Thunai Thaali Dhaanam Ellai Kodu Makkal En Pakkam Rajmohan 1988 Sathyaa Mariappa Pattikattu Thambi 1989 Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa Prabhu Das Dharma Devan Penbutthi Munbutthi Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai Gowri's father 1990 Kavalukku Kettikaran Balayya Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar Rajalingam Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu Asogan Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal Murugane Thunai 1991 Nallathai Naadu Kekum DSP Prabhakaran Paadhai Maariya Payanam Perum Pulli Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen Inspector Abhimanyu Police Inspector Malayalam film 1992 Thambi Pondatti Chellappa Chinna Marumagal Sekhar Mudhal Seedhanam Vaaname Ellai Samyvelu Kathirukka Neramillai D.I.G. Mohanraj 1993 Chinna Jameen Advocate Rajamanickam Ponnumani Varam Tharum Vadivelan 1994 Ravanan Meena's father Jai Hind Seenivasan The City C. I. DuraiMalayalam film Thamarai Subbarayan Mahanadhi Muthusamy 1995 Mannai Thottu Kumbidanum Sathyamoorthy Aval Potta Kolam 1996 Aruva Velu Muthurasa 1997 Iruvar Madhivanan Mannava Kavitha's father Pongalo Pongal School Master Nerrukku Ner Thamizharasan Thaali Pudhusu Seetha's father 1998 En Uyir Nee Thaane Janaki's brother 1999 Ooty Balu's uncle Kudumba Sangili Chidambaram 2000 Budget Padmanabhan Subramaniam 2001 Dheena Police officer Love Channel Sethumadai Gounder Citizen Judge Krishnan 2002 Ramana Ka. Parandhaman IAS, District Collector Red Manimegalai 2003 Saamy Judge Sivaraman Anjaneya Education officer Sindhamal Sitharamal Kandasamy Parasuram Director General of Police 2004 Virumaandi Chennai Police Commissioner Kovil Church Father Anthony James Autograph Pandian Udhaya Muthuswamypillai Maanasthan Chatrapathy Dreams Lawyer Varadharajan Jananam Chief Minister 2005 Aayudham Siva's father Ji Vasu's uncle Padhavi Paduthum Paadu Manivasagam Kaatrullavarai Ramkumar Sivakasi Meiyappan Mazhai Sundaram 2006 E Dharmapuri Valarmathi's father Thirupathi Chief Minister Guest appearance Theenda Theenda Paramasivam Paramasivan SI Ganapathy Varalaru Assistant commissioner of police 2007 18 Vayasu Puyale Marudhamalai Circle Inspector 2008 Arai En 305-il Kadavul Thanjai Rudhran Kannum Kannum Seval Murugesan's father 2009 Anthony Yaar? Priest 2010 Porkkalam Karnan's father Siddhu +2 Siddhu's father Ochayee Periyamaayan Mudhal Kadhal Mazhai 2011 Doo Swapna's father 2013 Kantha Varadharajan Jannal Oram Vinayagam, Village Panchayat Chief 2014 Tenaliraman Restaurateur Thirudan Police Head constable Singaram 2016 Gethu Colonel Matthews Dharma Durai Doctor Kamaraj aka Muniyandi 2018 Sarkar T. N. Chari, Election Commissioner 2021 Master College staff member 2022 Yaanai P.R.Veerapandiyan "PRV" 2023 Rudhran Subbiah Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir Church Father Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam Unnaal Ennaal 2024 Merry Christmas Yadhoom Uncle 2026SigmaReleased after his death
As dubbing artist Year Actor Films Notes 2001 Murali Dumm Dumm Dumm 2003 Joot 2005 Majaa Ullam Ketkume Raam 2008 Nedumudi Venu Poi Solla Porom 2016 Joy Mathew Devi
Television Year Title Role Channel Language 2000 Micro Thodargal-Azhukku Vetti Raj TV TamilMicro Thodargal-Savvukadi2001–2003 Alaigal Krishna Sun TV2004–2006 Kanavarukaaga2005 Swami Ayyapan AsianetMalayalam2009– Dhayam KalaignarTamil2012 Aan Paavam Gopalaswamy Sun TV2014 Mudivalla Arambam VendharAkka Jaya TV2015–2016 Kalathu Veedu Vijay TV2018–2022 Roja Tiger Manickam Sun TV2020 Suryavamsam Selva Ganapathy (Special Appearance) Zee TamilPoove Unakkaga Tiger Manickam (Special Appearance) Sun TV2021 Sillunu Oru Kaadhal Sivaraman Zamindar (Special Appearance) Colors Tamil2022 Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Mr. Sakthivel Disney+Hotstar2022–2024 Karthigai Deepam Dharmalingam Zee Tamil
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