Veteran actor Rajesh , known for his distinguished performances in both cinema and television, passed away early this morning at the age of 75. The veteran star reportedly experienced severe breathing difficulties and was being rushed to a hospital in Chennai when he tragically passed away en route.
Born as Rajesh Williams on December 20, 1949, in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, Rajesh initially began his professional life as a schoolteacher before venturing into the world of cinema. His first film role was a minor part in the 1974 K. Balachander classic Aval Oru Thodarkathai. He rose to fame with his breakthrough performance in Kanni Paruvathile (1979) and went on to star in over 150 films spanning multiple decades.
Some of his most acclaimed works include Thanneer Thanneer, Andha 7 Naatkal, Sathya, Mahanadi, and Kamal Haasan’s Virumaandi. Known for his expressive performances and commanding screen presence, Rajesh carved a niche for himself as a versatile character actor.
In recent years, he made a successful transition to television and became a household name among younger audiences for his role as Dharmalingam in the popular Tamil serial Karthigai Deepam .
The Tamil film fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its stalwarts. Superstar Rajinikanth, a long-time friend of Rajesh, took to social media to express his heartfelt condolences, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Rajesh. His contributions to Tamil cinema are unforgettable.”
Rajesh's final film appearance was in the Hindi thriller Merry Christmas, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif, marking a fitting conclusion to a career that transcended languages and generations.
He is survived by his family, friends, and countless fans who will remember him as a pillar of Tamil cinema and television.