Rajesh (Tamil actor)

Rajesh
Born	Rajesh Williams[1] (1949-12-20) 20 December 1949 (age 74) Anaikadu, Pattukkottai, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1974 - Present
Spouse(s)	Joan Sylvia (m.1983; died in 2012)
Children	2
Family	Mahendran (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

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

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

As actor

Tamil films

• Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974)
• Kanni Paruvathile (1979)
• Thani Maram (1980)
• Thai Pongal (1980)
• Naan Naanethaan (1980)
• Andha 7 Naatkal (1981)
• Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile (1981)
• Mayil (1981)
• Paakku Vethalai (1981)
• Velichathukku Vaanga (1981)
• Kannodu Kan (1982)
• Sivantha Kangal (1982)
• Thanikattu Raja (1982)
• Deviyin Thiruvilayadal (1982)
• Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982)
• Metti (1982)
• Vetri Namathe (1982)
• Avanukku Nigar Avane (1982)
• Kadhoduthan Naan Pesuven (1982)
• Anal Kaatru (1983)
• Kan Sivandhaal Man Sivakkum (1983)
• Thai Veedu (1983)
• Oru Indhiya Kanavu (1983)
• Yaamirukka Bhayamen (1983)
• Yuga Dharmam (1983)
• Achamillai Achamillai (1984)
• Alaya Deepam (1984)
• Ezhuthatha Sattangal (1984)
• Kuzhandai Yesu (1984)
• Sanga Natham (1984)
• Simma Soppanam (1984)
• Sirai (1984)
• Nanayam Illatha Nanayam (1984)
• Nee Thodum Pothu (1984)
• Ponnu Pudichirukku (1984)
• Mudivalla Arambam (1984)
• Ammavum Neeye Appavum Neeye (1985)
• Idhu Engal Raajiyam (1985)
• Uthami (1985)
• Kolusu (1985)
• Santhosha Kanavukal (1985)
• Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal (1985)
• Samayapurathale Saatchi (1985)
• Chithirame Chitirame (1985)
• Chain Jayapal (1985)
• Melmaruvathur Aadhi Parasakthi (1985)
• Rajathi Rojakili (1985)
• Veli (1985)
• Sarvam Sakthimayam (1986)
• Nilave Malare (1986)
• Mahasakthi Maariamman (1986)
• Manakanakku (1986),
• Melmaruvathur Arpudhangal (1986)
• Yaro Ezhudhia Kavithai (1986)
• Mannukkul Vairam (1986)
• Ilangeswaran (1987)
• Kaalam Maaruthu (1987)
• Murugane Thunai (1987)
• Thaali Dhaanam (1987)
• Ellai Kodu (1987)
• Makkal En Pakkam (1987)
• Sathya (1988)
• Pattikattu Thambi (1988)
• Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa (1989)
• Dharma Devan (1989)
• Penbutthi Munbutthi (1989)
• Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai (1989)
• Kavalukku Kettikaran (1990)
• Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar (1990)
• Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu (1990)
• Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal (1990)
• Murugane Thunai (1990)
• Nallathai Naadu Kekum (1991)
• Paadhai Maariya Payanam (1991)
• Perum Pulli (1991)
• Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen (1992)
• Thambi Pondatti (1992)
• Chinna Marumagal (1992)
• Mudhal Seedhanam (1992)
• Vaaname Ellai (1992)
• Kathirukka Neramillai (1993)
• Chinna Jameen (1993)
• Ponnumani (1993)
• Varam Tharum Vadivelan (1993)
• Ravanan (1994)
• Jai Hind (1994)
• Thamarai (1994)
• Mahanadhi (1994)
• Mannai Thottu Kumbidanum (1995)
• Aval Potta Kolam (1995)
• Aruva Velu (1996)
• Iruvar (1997)
• Mannava (1997)
• Pongalo Pongal (1997)
• Nerrukku Ner (1997)
• Thaali Pudhusu (1997)
• En Uyir Nee Thaane (1998)
• Ooty (1999)
• Kudumba Sangili (1999)
• Budget Padmanabhan (2000)
• Dheena (2001)
• Love Channel (2001)
• Citizen (2001)
• Ramana (2002)
• Red (2002)
• Saamy (2003)
• Anjaneya (2003)
• Sindhamal Sitharamal (2003)
• Parasuram (2003)
• Virumaandi (2004)
• Kovil (2004)
• Autograph (2004)
• Udhaya (2004)
• Maanasthan (2004)
• Chatrapathy (2004)
• Dreams (2004)
• Jananam (2004)
• Aayudham (2005)
• Ji (2005)
• Padhavi Paduthum Paadu (2005)
• Kaatrullavarai (2005)
• Sivakasi (2005)
• Mazhai (2005)
• E (2006)
• Dharmapuri (2006)
• Thirupathi (2006)
• Theenda Theenda (2006)
• Paramasivan (2006)
• Varalaaru (2006)
• 18 Vayasu Puyale (2007)
• Marudhamalai (2007)
• Arai En 305-il Kadavul (2008)
• Kannum Kannum (2008)
• Seval (2008)
• Anthony Yaar? (2009)
• Porkkalam (2010)
• Siddhu +2 (2010)
• Ochayee (2010)
• Mudhal Kadhal Mazhai (2010)
• Doo (2011)
• Kantha (2013)
• Jannal Oram (2013)
• Tenaliraman (2014)
• Thirudan Police (2014)
• Gethu (2016)
• Dharma Durai (2016)
• Sarkar (2018)
• Master (2021)
• Yaanai (2022)
• Rudhran (2023)
• Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir (2023)
• Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam (2023)
• Unnaal Ennaal (2023)
• Merry Christmas (2024)

Telugu films

• Bangaru Chilaka (1985)
• Chadastapu Mogudu (1986)
• Maa Inti Maharaju (1988)

Malayalam films

• Alakal (1974)
• Itha Oru Penkutty (1988)

As dubbing artist

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

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

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. "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. "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. 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.

External links

• Official website
• Rajesh at IMDb
• Rajesh at Cinesouth
• [1]