Often referred to as the quintessential character artiste in Tamil cinema and television, veteran actor Ganesan – popularly known as Delhi Ganesh – has passed away at the age of 80. He breathed his last on November 9, 2024 at his Chennai residence, following a brief illness.
According to reports, the late actor’s son, Mahadevan Delhi Ganesh, said that his father was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. “Last night when we tried to give him a tablet, he did not respond. A doctor confirmed that he was dead,” he added. Sharing the news in his Instagram story, Mahadevan, who is also an actor, also stated that his father died at around 11pm.
Last seen in Kamal Haasan’s vigilante action film Indian 2, Delhi Ganesh acted in over 400 films in his career. Before entering films, he was a part of the Delhi-based theatre group, Dakshina Bharata Nataka Sabha. Veteran playwright and director K Balachander had given him the stage name ‘Delhi’, who introduced him in the 1976 film Pattina Pravesam. He also had a brief stint in the Indian Air Force from 1964 to 1974.
Honoured with the ‘Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize’ for his performance in Pasi (1979), Delhi Ganesh also won a number of other State Awards, including Kalaimamani (1994), which was conferred on him by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa.
Apart from Indian 2, his other collaborations with Kamal Haasan included Nayakan (1987), Apoorva Sagodharagal (1989), Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Avvai Shanmugi (1996) and Thenali (2001). Among Delhi Ganesh’s other memorable films are Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Sri Raghavendrar (1985), Chatriyan (1990), Iruvar (1997), Aahaa..! (1997), Priyamaanavale (2000), Saamy (2003) and Kaavalan (2011).
A phenomenal actor and an amazing soul departs for the heavens to entertain them. You will be so sorely missed, sir.. Rest in peace for eternity. #DelhiGanesh 🙏🙏🙏🙏🫡🫡🫡 pic.twitter.com/mC4aqGQ2NA
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) November 10, 2024
Actors and filmmakers across the nation are mourning the demise of the acclaimed artiste. Ranganathan Madhavan took to his Twitter handle and wrote: “A phenomenal actor and an amazing soul departs for the heavens to entertain them. You will be so sorely missed, sir.. Rest in peace for eternity. #DelhiGanesh 🙏🙏🙏🙏🫡🫡🫡.”
Deeply pained to know of the demise of #DelhiGanesh sir, one of Tamil cinema's most versatile actors.The void he leaves behind will be hard to fill. My deepest condolences to his family members, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/9gnB1MxbXZ
— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) November 10, 2024
Meanwhile, Vijay Sethupathi said, “Deeply pained to know of the demise of #DelhiGanesh sir, one of Tamil cinema’s most versatile actors.The void he leaves behind will be hard to fill. My deepest condolences to his family members, friends and fans.”
