Sivaji Ganesan
October 1, 1928 (96 years old) in Villuppuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar, commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. Well known for his versatility and acting skills with numerous roles depicted on screen, he remains one of the most respected stage and film actors in the history of Indian entertainment, with a career spanning close to five decades and nearly 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi to his credit. Arguably the preeminent leading man during the "Golden Age" of Tamil cinema, Ganesan was the first Indian film actor to win a "Best Actor" award at an international film festival, the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt in 1960. He was also the first Indian actor to be made a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He won the President's Award for more than 12 times, and was later conferred the highest and the most prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema in 1997. An iconic figure in Tamil pop culture, his work has continued to enjoy an enduring, far-reaching influence in Tamil society in general.
Known For
Credits
- 1999 · Padayappa as Padayappa's Father
- 1997 · Once More as Ganesan
- 1997 · Oru Yaatra Mozhi as Anantha Subramaniam
- 1995 · Pasumpon as Durairasu Thevar
- 1992 · Thevar Magan as Periya Thevar
- 1992 · Chinna Marumagal as
- 1988 · Pudhiya Vaanam as D.I.G. Pandidurai
- 1988 · En Thamizh En Makkal as
- 1987 · Krishnan Vandhaan as
- 1987 · Anbulla Appa as Rajasekhar
- 1987 · Kudumbam Oru Koyil as
- 1986 · Mannukkul Vairam as
- 1986 · Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu as
- 1986 · Viduthalai as Inspector Rajasingam
- 1985 · Padikkadavan as Rajasekhar
- 1985 · Mudhal Mariyathai as Malaichami
- 1985 · Needhiyin Nizhal as
- 1985 · Padikkatha Pannayar as
- 1985 · Bandham as
- 1984 · Vamsa Vilakku as
- 1984 · Simma Soppanam as
- 1984 · Vaazhkai as
- 1983 · Uruvangal Maralam as
- 1982 · Vaa Kanna Vaa as
- 1981 · Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum as
- 1981 · Lorry Driver Rajakannu as
- 1981 · Kalthoon as
- 1981 · Amarakaaviyam as
- 1981 · Sathya Sundharam as
- 1981 · Mohana Punnagai as
- 1980 · Dharma Raja as
- 1980 · Natchathiram as
- 1979 · Vetrikku Oruvan as
- 1979 · Naan Vazhavaippen as
- 1979 · Imayam as
- 1979 · Nalladhoru Kudumbam as
- 1979 · Thirisoolam as
- 1978 · Pilot Premnath as
- 1978 · General Chakravarthi as
- 1978 · Ennai Pol Oruvan as
- 1977 · Chanakya Chandragupta as Alexander III of Macedon
- 1977 · Deepam as
- 1977 · Avan Oru Sarithiram as
- 1976 · Uthaman as
- 1975 · Vaira Nenjam as
- 1975 · Dr. Siva as Dr. Siva
- 1975 · Anbe Aaruyire as
- 1975 · Cinema Paithiyam as
- 1974 · Avan Thaan Manidhan as
- 1974 · Thanga Padhakkam as S. P. Choudhry
- 1974 · Vani Rani as
- 1973 · Rajapart Rangadurai as Rangadurai / Rajapart
- 1973 · Anbai Thedi as
- 1973 · Gauravam as Rajinikanth / Kannan
- 1973 · Engal Thanga Raja as
- 1973 · Bhakta Tukaram as Sivaji
- 1973 · Rajaraja Cholan as Rajaraja Cholan
- 1973 · Bharatha Vilas as Gopal
- 1972 · Vasantha Maligai as Anand
- 1972 · Thavaputhalvan as
- 1971 · Savale Samali as Manickam
- 1971 · Sumadhi En Sundhari as
- 1970 · Pathukappu as
- 1970 · Raman Ethanai Ramanadi as
- 1970 · Ethiroli as
- 1970 · Vilaiyaattu Pillai as Muthaiah
- 1970 · Dharti as Guest appearance
- 1970 · Enga Mama as
- 1969 · Sivandha Mann as Bharath
- 1969 · Deiva Magan as
- 1969 · Anjal Petti 520 as Prabhu
- 1969 · Thanga Surangam as
- 1968 · Uyarndha Manidhan as
- 1968 · Harichandra as
- 1968 · Enga Oor Raja as
- 1968 · Thillana Mohanambal as Nadaswara Chakravarthi "Sikkal" Shanmugasundaram
- 1968 · Galatta Kalyanam as Madhan
- 1968 · Thirumaal Perumai as Thief, Vishnuchitta and Sage
- 1967 · Ooty Varai Uravu as Ravi
- 1967 · Thiruvarutchelvar as
- 1967 · Kandhan Karunai as Veerabaghu
- 1966 · Selvam as
- 1966 · Mahakavi Kalidas as Kalidas
- 1965 · Thiruvilayadal as Lord Shiva in Different Disguises
- 1965 · Shanthi as
- 1965 · Mahabharat as Karna
- 1964 · Andavan Kattalai as Professor Krishnan
- 1964 · Kai Kodutha Deivam as
- 1964 · Pachai Vilakku as
- 1964 · Karnan as Karnan
- 1963 · Annai Illam as
- 1963 · Paar Magale Paar as
- 1963 · Naan Vanangum Deivam as Sundaram
- 1963 · Arivaali as Aalavanthan
- 1962 · Kulamagal Raadhai as
- 1962 · Aalayamani as Thyagarajan
- 1962 · Bandha Pasam as
- 1962 · Vadivukku Valaikaappu as
- 1962 · Parthal Pasi Theerum as
- 1961 · Padithal Mattum Podhuma as
- 1961 · Paalum Pazhamum as Dr Ravi
- 1961 · Pasamalar as Rajasekharan
- 1961 · Paava Mannippu as Ramu / Raheem
- 1960 · Padikkadha Medhai as Rangan
- 1960 · Deiva Piravi as Madhavan
- 1960 · Paavai Vilakku as
- 1959 · Maragatham as Varendran
- 1959 · Veerapandiya Kattabomman as Veerapandiya Kattabomman
- 1958 · Annaiyin Aanai as
- 1958 · Sampoorna Ramayanam as Bharathan
- 1958 · Kathavarayan as
- 1958 · Raj Tilak as
- 1957 · Rani Lalithangi as Prince
- 1957 · Thangamalai Ragasiyam as
- 1957 · Pudhaiyal as
- 1957 · Makkalai Petra Magarasi as Chengodayyan
- 1956 · Rangoon Radha as Dharmalinga Mudaliar
- 1956 · Amara Deepam as Ashok
- 1956 · Tenali Raman as Tenali Ramakrishna
- 1955 · Kalvanin Kadhali as
- 1955 · Mangayar Thilakam as Vasudevan
- Future · Vishwanatha Nayakudu as
- 1999 · Poo Parikka Varugirom as
- 1999 · Mannavaru Sinnavaru as
- 1998 · En Aasai Rasave as
- 1993 · Paarambariyam as
- 1992 · Mudhal Kural as
- 1992 · Naangal as Chaturvedi
- 1991 · Gnana Paravai as
- 1987 · Jallikkattu as
- 1987 · Agni Putrudu as
- 1987 · Veerapandiyan as
- 1987 · Muthukkal Moondru as
- 1987 · Raja Mariyadhai as
- 1986 · Lakshmi Vandhachu as
- 1986 · Anandha Kanneer as
- 1986 · Marumagal as
- 1986 · Saadhanai as
- 1985 · Raja Rishi as Sage Vishwamitra / King Kaushika
- 1985 · Nermai as
- 1985 · Naam Iruvar as
- 1984 · Dhaavani Kanavugal as Captain Chidambaram
- 1984 · Iru Medhaigal as
- 1984 · Ezhudhaadha Sattangal as
- 1984 · Sarithira Nayagan as
- 1984 · Tharaasu as
- 1984 · Chiranjeevi as
- 1984 · Thiruppam as
- 1983 · Vellai Roja as
- 1983 · Miruthanga Chakravarthi as
- 1983 · Kashmir Kadhali as
- 1983 · Sumangali as
- 1983 · Sandhippu as
- 1983 · Neethibathi as
- 1982 · Nenjangal as
- 1982 · Oorum Uravum as
- 1982 · Paritchaikku Neramaachu as
- 1982 · Thunai as
- 1982 · Thyagi as
- 1982 · Theerpu as
- 1982 · Vasandhathil Oru Naal as
- 1982 · Sangili as
- 1982 · Garuda Saukiyama as Deenadayalan
- 1982 · Oorukku Oru Pillai as
- 1982 · Hitler Umanath as
- 1981 · Madi Veetu Ezhai as
- 1980 · Vishwaroobam as
- 1980 · Ratha Paasam as
- 1980 · Yamanukku Yaman as
- 1980 · Rishi Moolam as
- 1979 · Pattaakathi Bairavan as
- 1979 · Kavari Maan as
- 1978 · Justice Gopinath as Gopinath
- 1978 · Thacholi Ambu as Thacholi Othenakkurup
- 1978 · Punniya Boomi as
- 1978 · Vaazhkai Alaigal as
- 1978 · Thyagam as
- 1978 · Andhamaan Kadhali as
- 1977 · Annan Oru Koyil as Dr. Ramesh
- 1977 · Naam Pirandha Mann as
- 1977 · Ilaya Thalaimurai as
- 1976 · Rojavin Raja as
- 1976 · Unakkaga Naan as
- 1976 · Chitra Pournami as
- 1976 · Sathyam as
- 1976 · Grahapravesam as
- 1975 · Paattum Bharathamum as
- 1975 · Avandhan Manidhan as Ravikumar
- 1975 · Manidhanum Dheivamagalam as Kumaraiya / Sundaram
- 1974 · En Magan as
- 1972 · Needhi as
- 1972 · Pattikada Pattanama as
- 1972 · Gnana Oli as
- 1972 · Raja as
- 1971 · Babu as
- 1971 · Moondru Dheivangal as
- 1971 · Kulama Gunama as
- 1971 · Thangaikkaaga as
- 1971 · Iru Thuruvam as Rangan
- 1970 · Engirundho Vandhaal as
- 1970 · Sorgam as Shankar
- 1970 · Vietnam Veedu as
- 1969 · Nirai Kudam as Doctor Prabhakar / Doctor Babu
- 1969 · Gurudhatchanai as
- 1969 · Kaaval Dheivam as
- 1968 · Lakshmi Kalyanam as
- 1968 · En Thambi as
- 1967 · Iru Malargal as
- 1967 · Thangai as Madhan
- 1967 · Nenjirukkum Varai as
- 1966 · Saraswathi Sabatham as Vidyapathi
- 1966 · Thaaye Unakkaga as Captain Swamy
- 1966 · Motor Sundaram Pillai as Sundaram Pillai
- 1965 · Neela Vanam as Babu
- 1965 · Anbu Karangal as
- 1965 · Pazhani as Pazhani
- 1964 · Navarathiri as Widowder Arputhraj/Drunkard/Doctor Karunagaran/Gunman/Villager/Leper/Actor Sathyavaan Singaram/Commissioner Veerapan/Bridegroom Anand
- 1964 · Puthiya Paravai as Gopal
- 1963 · Ratha Thilagam as Major Kumar
- 1963 · Kungumam as
- 1963 · Iruvar Ullam as
- 1962 · Bale Pandiya as
- 1961 · Ellam Unakkaga as Anandan
- 1961 · Punar Janmam as Shankar
- 1961 · Nitchaya Thamboolam as
- 1961 · Kappalottiya Thamizhan as Va. Vu. Chidambaram Pillai
- 1960 · Vidivelli as Chandru
- 1960 · Irumbu Thirai as
- 1959 · Bhaaga Pirivinai as
- 1959 · Thangapadumai as
- 1958 · Sabaash Meena as Mohan
- 1958 · Uthama Puthiran as Parthiban and Vikraman
- 1957 · Ambikapathy as
- 1957 · Fortunate Bride as
- 1957 · Vanangaamudi as
- 1956 · Pennin Perumai as
- 1955 · Mudhal Thedhi as Sivagnanam
- 1954 · Edhir Paradhathu as Sundar
- 1954 · Koondukkili as
- 1954 · Thookku Thookki as Sundararangathan
- 1954 · Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari as Ambalavannan / Ambalam
- 1954 · Andha Naal as Rajan
- 1954 · Manohara as Manohara
- 1953 · Pempudu Koduku as
- 1953 · Thirumbi Paar as
- 1953 · Anbu as Selvam
- 1953 · Poongothai as Anand
- 1952 · Panam as Umapathy
- 1952 · Parasakthi as Gunasekaran