Rajesh (Tamil actor)

Rajesh
Born
Rajesh Williams[1]

(1949-12-20) 20 December 1949 (age 74)
Anaikadu, Pattukkottai, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationActor
Years active1974 - Present
Spouse(s)Joan Sylvia
(m.1983; died in 2012)
Children2
FamilyMahendran (Cousin)[2]

Rajesh is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil and Malayalam films and serials. He has completed more than 49 years in films and appeared as lead roles and supporting roles in over 150 films.[3] He has done roles ranging from a hero to character actor.

Biography

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Rajesh was born in 1949 to Williams Nattar and lily Grace Mankondar at Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district,[4] but his family hails from Anaikkadu, in Thanjavur district.[3][5] He studied in Dindigul, Vadamadurai, Melanatham Aanaikadu and Chinnamanur Theni district.[6] After finishing his PUC in Karaikudi Alagappa College, he joined Pachaiappas College, but unfortunately 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.[3]

In 1974, he got a chance to act in the film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, but he only did a small role in it.[3] His first film as a hero was Kanni Paruvathile (1979), produced by Rajkannu.[5] Rajesh acted in Achamillai Achamillai, by K. Balachander. Later, he moved into playing character roles, and acted in movies with Kamal Haasan like Sathya, Mahanadhi and Virumaandi.

Now he is into the hotel and real estate business and he is a leading builder in the city.[3] He also wrote biographies of Hollywood actors in Tamil.

He is a Christian, later he was active in Periyaar's ideologies then he involved himself in Astrology. He had written many books and articles about Astrology.

Personal life

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In 1983, he married Joan Sylvia Vanathirayar, who is the grand daughter of the famous social reformist and Dravidian leader Pattukottai Davis Vanathirayar. They have one daughter Divya[7] and one son Deepak, who made his acting debut in 2014.[8] His wife died on 6 August 2012.[9]

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.[10] 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 90s, 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 is also a follower of Karl Marx; he visited UK and paid his tribute to the great leader.

Filmography

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As actor

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Tamil films
Telugu films
  • Bangaru Chilaka (1985)
  • Chadastapu Mogudu (1986)
  • Maa Inti Maharaju (1988)
Malayalam films
  • Alakal (1974)
  • Itha Oru Penkutty (1988)

As dubbing artist

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Actor Films Notes
Murali Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001),
Joot (2003),
Majaa (2005),
Ullam Ketkume (2005),
Raam (2005)		 [11]
Nedumudi Venu Poi Solla Porom (2008) [11]

Television

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Year Title Role Channel Language
2000 Micro Thodargal-Azhukku Vetti Raj TV Tamil
Micro Thodargal-Savvukadi
2001–2003 Alaigal Krishna Sun TV
2004–2006 Kanavarukaaga
2005 Swami Ayyapan Asianet Malayalam
2012 Aan Paavam Gopalaswamy Sun TV Tamil
2013 Dhayam Kalaignar
2014 Mudivalla Arambam Vendhar
Akka Jaya TV
2015–2016 Kalathu Veedu Vijay TV
2018–2022 Roja Tiger Manickam Sun TV
2020 Suryavamsam Selva Ganapathy (Special Appearance) Zee Tamil
Poove Unakkaga Tiger Manickam (Special Appearance) Sun TV
2021 Sillunu Oru Kaadhal Sivaraman Zamindar (Special Appearance) Colors Tamil
2022 Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Shakthivel Disney+Hotstar
2022–Present Karthigai Deepam Dharmalingam Zee Tamil

References

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  1. ^ "'Merry Christmas': Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi's film pushed to January 2024". The Hindu. 16 November 2023.
  2. ^ "பாக்யராஜ் படத்தில் நடிக்கத் தயங்கினேன் - Actor Rajesh Chai With Chithra Part - 1". YouTube. Touring Talkies. 20 September 2020. Relationship mentioned at 4:42. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Tamil Nadu News : From schoolteacher to character artiste". The Hindu. 29 August 2006. Archived from the original on 1 September 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Entertainment Chennai / Interview : Veteran on a rewind". The Hindu. 18 March 2005. Archived from the original on 4 May 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  5. ^ a b "ஆசிரியராக இருந்து நடிகரான ராஜேஷ்: 'கன்னிப் பருவத்திலே' படத்தின் கதாநாயகன் ஆனார்" [Teacher-turned-actor Rajesh: Became lead actor with 'Kanni Paruvathile']. Maalai Malar. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012.
  6. ^ "சிறை தந்த சிறந்த நடிகர்". Kalki (in Tamil). 3 February 1985. pp. 24–27.
  7. ^ "Wedding Bells At This Actor's House - Rajesh - Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. 19 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  8. ^ IANS (19 September 2013). "Never forced my son to act: Rajesh". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Actor Rajesh's Wife Passes Away - Rajesh - Mahanadi - Billa - Red - Joan Sylvia Rajesh - Tamil Movie News - Behindwoods.com". www.behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  10. ^ "ராஜேஷ் வாழ்க்கையில் எதிர்பாராத சோதனை: கட்டிய வீட்டை விற்று கடனை அடைத்தார்!" [Unexpected tribulation in Rajesh's life: Sold off his home to pay debts]. Maalai Malar. 15 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012.
  11. ^ a b Kumar, S. r Ashok (23 April 2020). "'Life has come full circle for me,' says veteran TV and film actor Rajesh". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
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