Rajesh (actor)

Rajesh is an Indian film and Tamil television actor who has performed in Tamil and Malayalam films and serials. He has completed more than 45 years in films and appeared as lead roles and supporting roles in over 150 films.[2] He has done roles ranging from a hero to character actor.

Not to be confused with Rajesh (Kannada actor).

Rajesh
Born (1949-12-20) 20 December 1949
Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationActor
Years active1974 - Present
Spouse(s)Joan Sylvia
(m.1983; died in 2012)
FamilyJ. Mahendran (Cousin)[1]

Biography

Rajesh was born in 1949 to Williams Nattar and lily Grace Mankondar at Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district,[3] but his family hails from Anaikkadu, in Thanjavur district.[2][4] He studied in Dindigul, Vadamadurai, Melanatham Aanaikadu and Chinnamanur Theni district. After finishing his PUC in Karaikudi Alagappa College, he joined Pachaiappas College, but unfortunately has not completed 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.[2]

In 1974, he got a chance to act in the film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, but he only did a small role in it.[2] His first film as hero was Kanni Paruvathile (1979), produced by Rajkannu.[4] Rajesh acted in Achamillai Achamillai, by K. Balachander. Later, he moved into playing character roles, and acted in many movies with Kamal Haasan.He was a successful actor.

Now he is into the hotel and real estate business and he is a leading builder in the city.[2] 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

In 1983, he married Joan Sylvia, who is the granddaughter of the famous social reformist and Dravidian leader Pattukottai Davis. They have one daughter Divya[5] and one son Deepak, who will be making his acting debut in 2014.[6] His wife died on 6 August 2012.[7]

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.[8] Much Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movie shooting happened 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 the Mrs Janaki w/o M.G Ramachandran. But he always maintained good relationship with Kalaigar Karunanidhi, J. Jayalalitha, Congress leaders and Communist party leaders. He is also a follower of Karl Marx, when he visited UK he paid his tribute to the great leader.

Filmography

As Actor

Television
Year Title Role Channel
2000Micro Thodargal-Azhukku VettiRaj TV
2000Micro Thodargal-SavvukadiRaj TV
2001–2003AlaigalKrishnaSun TV
2005Swami Ayyappan (TV series)(Malayalam)Manikandan's mentorAsianet
2012Aan PaavamGopalaswamySun TV
2013DhayamKalaignar TV
2014Mudivalla ArambamVendhar TV
AkkaJaya TV
2015–2016Kalathu VeeduVijay TV
2018–PresentRojaTiger ManickamSun TV
2020–PresentSuryavamsamSelva GanapathyZee Tamil

As dubbing artist
Actor Films Notes
MuraliDumm Dumm Dumm (2001),
Joot (2003),
Majaa (2005),
Ullam Ketkume (2005),
Raam (2005)		[9]
Nedumudi VenuPoi Solla Porom (2008)[9]

References
  1. "பாக்யராஜ் படத்தில் நடிக்கத் தயங்கினேன் - Actor Rajesh Chai With Chithra Part - 1". YouTube. Touring Talkies. 20 September 2020. Relationship mentioned at 4:42. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  2. "Tamil Nadu News : From schoolteacher to character artiste". The Hindu. 29 August 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  3. "Entertainment Chennai / Interview : Veteran on a rewind". The Hindu. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  4. "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 27 June 2019.
  5. "Wedding Bells At This Actor's House - Rajesh - Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  6. IANS (19 September 2013). "Never forced my son to act: Rajesh - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  7. "Actor Rajesh's Wife Passes Away - Rajesh - Mahanadi - Billa - Red - Joan Sylvia Rajesh - Tamil Movie News - Behindwoods.com". www.behindwoods.com.
  8. "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 27 June 2019.
  9. Kumar, S. r Ashok (23 April 2020). "'Life has come full circle for me,' says veteran TV and film actor Rajesh". The Hindu.
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