Sivaji Ganesan

Actor · 1928–2001 · Villuppuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Biography

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.

Acted in 173

1990s

1999
Poo Parikka Varugirom
Author
Padayappa
Dharmalingam
1997
Once More
Selvam
Oru Yaatra Mozhi
Anantha Subramaniam
1992
Thevar Magan
Periya Thevar

1980s

1988
Pudhiya Vaanam
D.I.G. Pandidurai
1987
Krishnan Vandhaan
Movie
Jallikkattu
Ram Prakash
Vishwanatha Nayakudu
Nagama Nayak
Anbulla Appa
Rajasekhar
Veerapandiyan
Movie
Muthukkal Moondru
Father
1986
Mannukkul Vairam
Movie
Lakshmi Vandhachu
Rajasekhar
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
Rajasekar
Viduthalai
Inspector Rajasingam
Marumagal
Chandrasekhar
Saadhanai
Movie
1985
Padikkadavan
Rajasekhar
Raja Rishi
Sage Vishwamitra / King Kaushika
Mudhal Mariyathai
Malaichami
Nermai
Professor Gowrishankar
Needhiyin Nizhal
D.I.G Nithyanandam
Padikkatha Pannayar
Movie
Bandham
Movie
1984
Iru Medhaigal
Movie
Dhavani Kanavugal
Captain Chidambaram
Ezhuthatha Sattangal
Nazeer
Vaazhkai
Movie
Tharaasu
Movie
Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi
1983
Vellai Roja
Movie
Sumangali
Movie
Sandhippu
Ramanathan / Raja
Uruvavugal Maralam
God
1982
Nenjangal
Movie
Paritchaikku Neramaachu
Narashimaachari
Theerpu
Rajasekar, Superintendent of Police
Garuda Saukiyama
Deenadayalan
Hitler Umanath
Umanath
1981
Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum
Movie
Sathya Sundharam
Sundaram
Mohana Punnagai
Movie
1980
Vishwaroobam
Sathyamoorthy / Raja
Ratha Paasam
Movie
Yamanukku Yaman
Yaman / Sathyamoorthy
Dharma Raja
Movie
Natchathiram
Movie
Rishi Moolam
Movie

1970s

1979
Pattaakathi Bairavan
Movie
Nalladhoru Kudumbam
Movie
Kavari Maan
Thyagarajan
Thirisoolam
Movie
1978
Justice Gopinath
Gopinath
Pilot Premnath
Movie
Thacholi Ambu
Thacholi Othenakkurup
Ennai Pol Oruvan
Rajasekar / Sekar / Sundaramoorthy
1977
Naam Pirandha Mann
Movie
Chanakya Chandragupta
Alexander III of Macedon
Deepam
Movie
1976
Sathyam
Movie
Unakkaga Naan
Raja
1975
Paattum Bharathamum
Movie
Vaira Nenjam
Movie
Dr. Siva
Dr. Siva
My Beloved, My Life
Saravanan
Cinema Paithiyam
Movie
1974
En Magan
Movie
Thangappathakkam
S. P. Choudhry
Vani Rani
Ranga
1973
Rajapart Rangadurai
Rangadurai / Rajapart
Gauravam
Rajinikanth / Kannan
Engal Thanga Raja
Movie
Bhakta Tukaram
Sivaji
Rajaraja Cholan
Rajaraja Cholan
1972
Vasantha Maligai
Anand
Pattikada Pattanama
Movie
Gnana Oli
Antony / Arun
Raja
Movie
1971
Babu
Movie
Moondru Dheivangal
Movie
Savale Samali
Manickam
Sumathi En Sundari
Madhu
Kulama Gunama
Chinnathambi
Iru Thuruvam
Rangan
Thenum Paalum
Ramu
1970
Engirundho Vandhaal
Movie
Sorgam
Shankar
Vietnam Veedu
Movie
Dharti
Movie
Enga Mama
Koteeswaran

1960s

1969
Sivandha Mann
Bharath / Mashinsha
Deiva Magan
Shankar / Kannan / Vijay
Nirai Kudam
Doctor Prabhakar / Doctor Babu
Anjal Petti 520
Prabhu
Kaaval Dheivam
Movie
1968
Uyarndha Manidhan
Movie
Lakshmi Kalyanam
Movie
Harichandra
Movie
Thillana Mohanambal
Nadaswara Chakravarthi "Sikkal" Shanmugasundaram
Galatta Kalyanam
Madhan
Thirumal Perumai
Thief, Vishnuchitta and Sage
1967
Ooty Varai Uravu
Ravi
Iru Malargal
Movie
Thiruvarutchelvar
Movie
Nenjirukkum Varai
Movie
Kandhan Karunai
Veerabaghu
1966
Saraswathi Sabatham
Vidyapathi
Mahakavi Kalidas
Kalidas
1965
Thiruvilayadal
Lord Shiva in Different Disguises
Shanthi
Movie
Pazhani
Pazhani
1964
Andavan Kattalai
Professor Krishnan
Navarathiri
Widowder Arputhraj/Drunkard/Doctor Karunagaran/Gunman/Villager/Leper/Actor Sathyavaan Singaram/Commissioner Veerapan/Bridegroom Anand
Puthiya Paravai
Gopal
Kai Kodutha Deivam
Raghu
Pachai Vilakku
Movie
Karnan
Karnan
1963
Ratha Thilagam
Major Kumar
Paar Magale Paar
Movie
Naan Vanangum Deivam
Sundaram
Iruvar Ullam
Selvam
Arivaali
Aalavanthan
1962
Aalayamani
Thyagarajan
Bandha Pasam
Movie
Bale Pandiya
Movie
Parthal Pasi Theerum
Movie
Rakhi
Movie
1961
Padithal Mattum Podhuma
Movie
Marutha Nattu Veeran
General Jeevagan
Ellam Unakkaga
Anandan
Pasamalar
Rajasekharan
Punar Janmam
Shankar
Nitchaya Thamboolam
Movie
1960
Vidivelli
Chandru
Irumbu Thirai
'Manickam' Manickavasagam
Padikkadha Medhai
Rangan
Deiva Piravi
Madhavan