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'''Ramaswamy Ganesan'''<ref name=RAM>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-03-23/news-interviews/27845965_1_gemini-ganesan-tamil-cinema-double-role|title=India's 'king of romance' dies|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|date=March 23, 2005}}</ref> (17 November 1920 – 22 March 2005), popularly known as '''Gemini Ganesan''', was an [[India]]n actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" (King of [[Romance (love)|Romance]]) of [[Kollywood|Tamil cinema]] for the romantic roles he played in films.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-22/chennai/28234468_1_kamala-selvaraj-film-industry-tamil-nadu|title=Tribute to Gemini Ganesan|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|date=Nov 22, 2010}}</ref> Ganesan was one among the "three biggest names of [[Tamil cinema]]", the other two being [[M. G. Ramachandran]] and [[Sivaji Ganesan]].<ref>http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html</ref> Sivaji Ganesan excelled in films with drama, and MGR dominated films with fight sequences and, Gemini Ganesan held his own with sensitive portrayals of the yearning lover.<ref name=BIOGRAPHY/> In his long film career spanning over five decades, Ganesan acted in more than 200 films predominantly in [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]], and a few in [[Bollywood|Hindi]], [[Cinema of Andhra Pradesh|Telugu]], [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]] and [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]]. His performances on the screen were enhanced by successful playback singers like [[A. M. Rajah]] and [[P. B. Sreenivas]].<ref name=BIOGRAPHY/><ref>http://www.kollywoodsingers.com/amrajah.htm</ref>
'''Ramaswamy Ganesan'''<ref name=RAM>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-03-23/news-interviews/27845965_1_gemini-ganesan-tamil-cinema-double-role|title=India's 'king of romance' dies|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|date=March 23, 2005}}</ref> (17 November 1920 – 22 March 2005), popularly known as '''Gemini Ganesan''', was an [[India]]n actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" (King of [[Romance (love)|Romance]]) of [[Kollywood|Tamil cinema]] for the romantic roles he played in films.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-22/chennai/28234468_1_kamala-selvaraj-film-industry-tamil-nadu|title=Tribute to Gemini Ganesan|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|date=Nov 22, 2010}}</ref> Ganesan was one among the "three biggest names of [[Tamil cinema]]", the other two being [[M. G. Ramachandran]] and [[Sivaji Ganesan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html |title=Events - MGR-Sivaji-Gemini: TRINITY Album Launched |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2011-01-22 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> Sivaji Ganesan excelled in films with drama, and MGR dominated films with fight sequences and, Gemini Ganesan held his own with sensitive portrayals of the yearning lover.<ref name=BIOGRAPHY/> In his long film career spanning over five decades, Ganesan acted in more than 200 films predominantly in [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]], and a few in [[Bollywood|Hindi]], [[Cinema of Andhra Pradesh|Telugu]], [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]] and [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]]. His performances on the screen were enhanced by successful playback singers like [[A. M. Rajah]] and [[P. B. Sreenivas]].<ref name=BIOGRAPHY/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kollywoodsingers.com/amrajah.htm |title=A.M.Rajah - Tamil singers |publisher=Kollywoodsingers.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Born on 17 November 1920, Gemini Ganesan belonged to a middle class [[Tamil people|Tamil]] [[Brahmin]] family residing at [[Pudukottai district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was the son of Ramaswamy and Gangamma. Ganesan was highly inspired by his grandfather Narayanaswami, who took care of the family when he was a child. His grandfather died when he was in the sixth class and later on, he lost his father as well. After the death of his father, Ganesan, along with his grandmother Bagirathi and mother Gangamma, moved to his aunt Muthulakshmi’s residence, in [[Madras]] (now known as Chennai). City life did not suit Gangamma, and she decided to go back to Pudhukkottai.<ref name=BIOGRAPHY>http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/gemini-ganesan-biography-4191.html</ref>
Born on 17 November 1920, Gemini Ganesan belonged to a middle class [[Tamil people|Tamil]] [[Brahmin]] family residing at [[Pudukottai district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was the son of Ramaswamy and Gangamma. Ganesan was highly inspired by his grandfather Narayanaswami, who took care of the family when he was a child. His grandfather died when he was in the sixth class and later on, he lost his father as well. After the death of his father, Ganesan, along with his grandmother Bagirathi and mother Gangamma, moved to his aunt Muthulakshmi’s residence, in [[Madras]] (now known as Chennai). City life did not suit Gangamma, and she decided to go back to Pudhukkottai.<ref name=BIOGRAPHY>{{cite web|url=http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/gemini-ganesan-biography-4191.html |title=Gemini Ganesan Biography - Gemini Ganesan Profile, Childhood & Filmography |publisher=Lifestyle.iloveindia.com |date=1920-11-17 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref>


===Education===
===Education===
Line 36: Line 36:
===Initial years===
===Initial years===
[[File:Missmalini gemini.jpg|thumb|right|Gemini Ganesan in his debut film ''[[Miss Malini]]'' (1947)]]
[[File:Missmalini gemini.jpg|thumb|right|Gemini Ganesan in his debut film ''[[Miss Malini]]'' (1947)]]
From the casting department, Ganesan got his first break in films with ''[[Miss Malini]]''. The film was a box office failure as it was considered "ahead of it's time", but was well received by intellectuals. The film is currently [[lost film|lost]].<ref>http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/25/stories/2008072550391600.htm</ref> This was followed by ''Chakravarthi'', in which he played [[Lord Krishna]]. However, not until 1953, when he played a villainous role in the film ''Thai Ullam'', did people take notice of him as an actor. The next year, he was cast as a hero with ''Manampol Mangalyam''. The film paired him with [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]], who he later married. From then on, he carved out a niche for himself in Tamil cinema with films that required a lot of romance but little action.
From the casting department, Ganesan got his first break in films with ''[[Miss Malini]]''. The film was a box office failure as it was considered "ahead of it's time", but was well received by intellectuals. The film is currently [[lost film|lost]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/25/stories/2008072550391600.htm |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : Miss Malini 1947 |publisher=The Hindu |date=2008-07-25 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> This was followed by ''Chakravarthi'', in which he played [[Lord Krishna]]. However, not until 1953, when he played a villainous role in the film ''Thai Ullam'', did people take notice of him as an actor. The next year, he was cast as a hero with ''Manampol Mangalyam''. The film paired him with [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]], who he later married. From then on, he carved out a niche for himself in Tamil cinema with films that required a lot of romance but little action.


===Stardom in south===
===Stardom in south===
In his career spanning nearly 50 years, Ganesan played a variety of roles, from Abhimanyu in ''[[Maya Bazaar]]'' (1957) to freedom fighter Madasamy in ''[[Kappalotiya Thamizhan]]'' (1961), and in ''Pennin Perumai'' (1960), he played a non-assertive imbecile morphing into a well-moulded human being. Ganesan also starred in ''[[Kalathur Kannamma]]'' (1959), which was also the debut for [[Kamal Haasan]], who would later become one of the leading actors in [[Tamil cinema]]. The film won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]] in 1961. Ganesan also starred in ''[[Veerapandiya Kattabomman (film)|Veerapandiya Kattabomman]]'' (1959) alongside [[Sivaji Ganesan]]. The film was selected for the Afro-Asian Film Festival in 1960.<ref>http://popcorn.oneindia.in/movie-awards/6585/veerapandiya-kattabomman.html</ref> It was also nominated for the National Film Award in in 1960, along with Gemini Ganesan's ''[[Kalyana Parisu]]'', but both lost to ''[[Bhaaga Pirivinai]]''. The [[Ruritanian romance]] film ''[[Vanjikottai Valiban]]'' (1958) was a high budget film and became a huge commercial success due to much hype.<ref>http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/15/stories/2007061555630200.htm</ref> His 1961 film ''[[Then Nilavu]]'' was the first Tamil film to be shot extensively in [[Jammu and Kashmir]], and became a great success at the box office.<ref>http://www.sify.com/movies/c-v-sridhar-veteran-director-passes-away-news-tamil-kkfsJNdjcaa.html</ref><ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-20/chennai/27892019_1_sridhar-tamil-film-aiadmk-chief-jayalalithaa</ref> Unlike the other two leading actors of that time - Sivaji Ganesan and [[M. G. Ramachandran]], Gemini Ganesan did not come from a stage background. This made his screen presence refreshingly credible and his acting was not stylised. He sustained his film career without the support of any fan club or backing of a political party. The only time he got anywhere near politics was, when he organised a function for poet [[Subramania Bharathi]] at Ettayapuram in 1963.<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/article1020747.ece</ref>
In his career spanning nearly 50 years, Ganesan played a variety of roles, from Abhimanyu in ''[[Maya Bazaar]]'' (1957) to freedom fighter Madasamy in ''[[Kappalotiya Thamizhan]]'' (1961), and in ''Pennin Perumai'' (1960), he played a non-assertive imbecile morphing into a well-moulded human being. Ganesan also starred in ''[[Kalathur Kannamma]]'' (1959), which was also the debut for [[Kamal Haasan]], who would later become one of the leading actors in [[Tamil cinema]]. The film won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]] in 1961. Ganesan also starred in ''[[Veerapandiya Kattabomman (film)|Veerapandiya Kattabomman]]'' (1959) alongside [[Sivaji Ganesan]]. The film was selected for the Afro-Asian Film Festival in 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popcorn.oneindia.in/movie-awards/6585/veerapandiya-kattabomman.html |title=Veerapandiya Kattabomman &#124; Awards & Nominations &#124; National Awards &#124; Filmfare Awards South &#124; Vijay TV Award &#124; Cine Best |publisher=Popcorn.oneindia.in |date= |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> It was also nominated for the National Film Award in in 1960, along with Gemini Ganesan's ''[[Kalyana Parisu]]'', but both lost to ''[[Bhaaga Pirivinai]]''. The [[Ruritanian romance]] film ''[[Vanjikottai Valiban]]'' (1958) was a high budget film and became a huge commercial success due to much hype.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/15/stories/2007061555630200.htm |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Mega star, mega film, mega hype |publisher=The Hindu |date=2007-06-15 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> His 1961 film ''[[Then Nilavu]]'' was the first Tamil film to be shot extensively in [[Jammu and Kashmir]], and became a great success at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/c-v-sridhar-veteran-director-passes-away-news-tamil-kkfsJNdjcaa.html |title=C.V Sridhar, veteran director passes away! |publisher=Sify.com |date=2008-10-20 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-20/chennai/27892019_1_sridhar-tamil-film-aiadmk-chief-jayalalithaa |title=Veteran filmmaker Sridhar passes away - Times Of India |publisher=Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2008-10-20 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> Unlike the other two leading actors of that time - Sivaji Ganesan and [[M. G. Ramachandran]], Gemini Ganesan did not come from a stage background. This made his screen presence refreshingly credible and his acting was not stylised. He sustained his film career without the support of any fan club or backing of a political party. The only time he got anywhere near politics was, when he organised a function for poet [[Subramania Bharathi]] at Ettayapuram in 1963.<ref>{{cite web|author=Theodore Baskaran |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/article1020747.ece |title=Arts / Books : A daughter's tribute |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-01-01 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref>


===Bollywood career===
===Bollywood career===
Gemini Ganesan acted in a few [[Hindi film]]s, though without much success. Notably, he played the lead role in ''[[Raj Tilak (1958 film)|Raj Tilak]]'' (1958), which was the Hindi remake of his own ''Vanjikottai Valiban''. The film was a box office failure, and collapsed within a week of release.<ref>http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/E803F60995077A676525694000620179</ref> He also did a guest role in ''[[Nazrana (1961 film)|Nazrana]]'' (1961), the Hindi remake of his own ''Kalyana Parisu'', that had him in the lead.<ref>http://www.jointscene.com/movies/bollywood/Nazrana_-_1961/748</ref> Though the film was an average grosser, it was the 12th highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=167&catName=MTk2MQ==</ref>
Gemini Ganesan acted in a few [[Hindi film]]s, though without much success. Notably, he played the lead role in ''[[Raj Tilak (1958 film)|Raj Tilak]]'' (1958), which was the Hindi remake of his own ''Vanjikottai Valiban''. The film was a box office failure, and collapsed within a week of release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/E803F60995077A676525694000620179 |title=1958: The Year that was - The Indian Express |publisher=Cscsarchive.org:8081 |date= |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> He also did a guest role in ''[[Nazrana (1961 film)|Nazrana]]'' (1961), the Hindi remake of his own ''Kalyana Parisu'', that had him in the lead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jointscene.com/movies/bollywood/Nazrana_-_1961/748 |title=Find Hindi Movie Nazrana - 1961, Nazrana - 1961 Reviews, Expert Review and Casts |publisher=Jointscene.com |date=1961-01-01 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> Though the film was an average grosser, it was the 12th highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=167&catName=MTk2MQ== |title=Boxofficeindia.com |publisher=Boxofficeindia.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref>


===Later years===
===Later years===
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Ganesan’s dream was to become a doctor. In April 1940 he went to [[Tiruchirapalli|Trichy]] to see T.R. Alamelu. Alamelu’s father proposed his daughter in marriage and promised him a medical seat after graduation. Ganesan immediately agreed and married Alamelu in June 1940. Alamelu lost her father and her elder sister within one month of her marriage. Ganesan's dreams of becoming a doctor shattered. There was no choice left for him but to find a job immediately as he was the only person to support his family. He got an interview from [[Indian Air Force]]. Much against Alamelu’s wishes Ganesan went to [[Delhi]]. In Delhi he met his uncle Narayanaswami who advised him to become a teacher. He married [[Pushpavalli]] and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]] later.
Ganesan’s dream was to become a doctor. In April 1940 he went to [[Tiruchirapalli|Trichy]] to see T.R. Alamelu. Alamelu’s father proposed his daughter in marriage and promised him a medical seat after graduation. Ganesan immediately agreed and married Alamelu in June 1940. Alamelu lost her father and her elder sister within one month of her marriage. Ganesan's dreams of becoming a doctor shattered. There was no choice left for him but to find a job immediately as he was the only person to support his family. He got an interview from [[Indian Air Force]]. Much against Alamelu’s wishes Ganesan went to [[Delhi]]. In Delhi he met his uncle Narayanaswami who advised him to become a teacher. He married [[Pushpavalli]] and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]] later.


Gemini Ganesan fathered the [[Bollywood]] actress [[Rekha]], while living with [[Pushpavalli]]. He did not acknowledge Rekha's paternity during her childhood. It was in the early 1970s, when Rekha was looking for a footing in Bollywood, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation.<ref>http://www.bollywoodimages.com/rekha.htm</ref><ref>http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/13766.html</ref> She did not even attend her father's funeral, and once when asked about their relationship in a televised interview, she paused with silence and revealed nothing.<ref name=RAM/>
Gemini Ganesan fathered the [[Bollywood]] actress [[Rekha]], while living with [[Pushpavalli]]. He did not acknowledge Rekha's paternity during her childhood. It was in the early 1970s, when Rekha was looking for a footing in Bollywood, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodimages.com/rekha.htm |title=Profile / bio-graphy of Rekha |publisher=Bollywood Images |date=1954-10-10 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/13766.html |title=When Bollywood washes dirty linen in public - Bollywood Movie News |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2005-03-17 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref> She did not even attend her father's funeral, and once when asked about their relationship in a televised interview, she paused with silence and revealed nothing.<ref name=RAM/>


Though there is no correct account of the number of wives he had, it is widely believed that he was married to Alamelu, [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]] and [[Pushpavalli]]. He is survived by seven daughters and a son. His children are Revathi Swaminathan, Kamala Selvaraj, Narayani Ganesh, Jaya Shreedhar, actress [[Rekha]], Radha Usman Syed, Vijaya Chamundeswari and Sathish Kumaar Ganesan.<ref name=BIOGRAPHY/>
Though there is no correct account of the number of wives he had, it is widely believed that he was married to Alamelu, [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]] and [[Pushpavalli]]. He is survived by seven daughters and a son. His children are Revathi Swaminathan, Kamala Selvaraj, Narayani Ganesh, Jaya Shreedhar, actress [[Rekha]], Radha Usman Syed, Vijaya Chamundeswari and Sathish Kumaar Ganesan.<ref name=BIOGRAPHY/>
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==Awards==
==Awards==
* 1970 – [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor]] for ''Kaaviya Thalaivi''
* 1970 – [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor]] for ''Kaaviya Thalaivi''
* 1971 – [[Padma Shri]] Award<ref>http://www.ndtv.com/article/regional/book-dvd-on-gemini-ganesan-to-be-released-66942</ref>
* 1971 – [[Padma Shri]] Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/regional/book-dvd-on-gemini-ganesan-to-be-released-66942 |title=Book, DVD on Gemini Ganesan to be released |publisher=Ndtv.com |date=2010-11-17 |accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref>
* 1974 – [[Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor]] for ''[[Naan Avanillai (1974 film)|Naan Avanillai]]''
* 1974 – [[Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor]] for ''[[Naan Avanillai (1974 film)|Naan Avanillai]]''
* 1993 – [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South]]
* 1993 – [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South]]
Line 67: Line 67:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 11:19, 22 April 2012

Gemini Ganesan
File:Geminiganesan 1.jpg
Born
Ramaswamy Ganesan

(1920-11-17)November 17, 1920
Pudukkottai state
DiedMarch 22, 2005(2005-03-22) (aged 84)
Chennai, India
Other namesKadhal Mannan, Gemini Ganesh, Saambaar[1]
OccupationFilm actor
Years active1947–2002
Spouse(s)Alamelu Ganesan (1940–2005) (His death)
Pushpavalli Ganesan
Savitri Ganesan (1954–1981) (Deceased)
ChildrenRekha

Ramaswamy Ganesan[2] (17 November 1920 – 22 March 2005), popularly known as Gemini Ganesan, was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" (King of Romance) of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in films.[3] Ganesan was one among the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", the other two being M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan.[4] Sivaji Ganesan excelled in films with drama, and MGR dominated films with fight sequences and, Gemini Ganesan held his own with sensitive portrayals of the yearning lover.[5] In his long film career spanning over five decades, Ganesan acted in more than 200 films predominantly in Tamil, and a few in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. His performances on the screen were enhanced by successful playback singers like A. M. Rajah and P. B. Sreenivas.[5][6]

Early life

Born on 17 November 1920, Gemini Ganesan belonged to a middle class Tamil Brahmin family residing at Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu. He was the son of Ramaswamy and Gangamma. Ganesan was highly inspired by his grandfather Narayanaswami, who took care of the family when he was a child. His grandfather died when he was in the sixth class and later on, he lost his father as well. After the death of his father, Ganesan, along with his grandmother Bagirathi and mother Gangamma, moved to his aunt Muthulakshmi’s residence, in Madras (now known as Chennai). City life did not suit Gangamma, and she decided to go back to Pudhukkottai.[5]

Education

Since Gemini Ganesan’s aunt Muthulakshmi was an ardent follower of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, she decided to enroll him into Ramakrishna Mission Home. There, he was taught yoga and sanskrit and made to read Upanishads, Vedas and Bhagavad Gita as well. He spent a disciplined life at the Home and became an expert in Yoga. However, he could not bear the agony of being separated from his mother, who was residing at Pudukkottai. Therefore, he returned to his native place and joined a high-school there. Later on, he joined Maharajah's College, located in the same place. However, he completed his graduation at Madras Christian College, Chennai.[5]

Early work

Before entering the film industry, Gemini Ganesan worked as a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, at Madras Christian College. Later on, he took up the job of a production executive in Gemini Studios in 1947, from where the title “Gemini” was added to his name. He received an entry to films from the casting department of the Studio itself.[5]

Career

Initial years

File:Missmalini gemini.jpg
Gemini Ganesan in his debut film Miss Malini (1947)

From the casting department, Ganesan got his first break in films with Miss Malini. The film was a box office failure as it was considered "ahead of it's time", but was well received by intellectuals. The film is currently lost.[7] This was followed by Chakravarthi, in which he played Lord Krishna. However, not until 1953, when he played a villainous role in the film Thai Ullam, did people take notice of him as an actor. The next year, he was cast as a hero with Manampol Mangalyam. The film paired him with Savitri, who he later married. From then on, he carved out a niche for himself in Tamil cinema with films that required a lot of romance but little action.

Stardom in south

In his career spanning nearly 50 years, Ganesan played a variety of roles, from Abhimanyu in Maya Bazaar (1957) to freedom fighter Madasamy in Kappalotiya Thamizhan (1961), and in Pennin Perumai (1960), he played a non-assertive imbecile morphing into a well-moulded human being. Ganesan also starred in Kalathur Kannamma (1959), which was also the debut for Kamal Haasan, who would later become one of the leading actors in Tamil cinema. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil in 1961. Ganesan also starred in Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) alongside Sivaji Ganesan. The film was selected for the Afro-Asian Film Festival in 1960.[8] It was also nominated for the National Film Award in in 1960, along with Gemini Ganesan's Kalyana Parisu, but both lost to Bhaaga Pirivinai. The Ruritanian romance film Vanjikottai Valiban (1958) was a high budget film and became a huge commercial success due to much hype.[9] His 1961 film Then Nilavu was the first Tamil film to be shot extensively in Jammu and Kashmir, and became a great success at the box office.[10][11] Unlike the other two leading actors of that time - Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan did not come from a stage background. This made his screen presence refreshingly credible and his acting was not stylised. He sustained his film career without the support of any fan club or backing of a political party. The only time he got anywhere near politics was, when he organised a function for poet Subramania Bharathi at Ettayapuram in 1963.[12]

Bollywood career

Gemini Ganesan acted in a few Hindi films, though without much success. Notably, he played the lead role in Raj Tilak (1958), which was the Hindi remake of his own Vanjikottai Valiban. The film was a box office failure, and collapsed within a week of release.[13] He also did a guest role in Nazrana (1961), the Hindi remake of his own Kalyana Parisu, that had him in the lead.[14] Though the film was an average grosser, it was the 12th highest-grossing film of the year.[15]

Later years

Later in his career, he switched to little different character roles. Notable among these was Rudraveena (remade in Tamil as Unnal Mudiyum Thambi), considered one of the best movies ever made in Telugu. Another notable movie was Avvai Shanmughi (1996), in which characteristically, he entered into the skin of an old man longing for an old maid. Towards the end of his acting career he kept himself busy with elegant roles in television serials.

Death

After a prolonged illness caused by renal failure and multiple organ failure, Ganesan was found dead at his residence on 22 March 2005, 13:30 IST. He was cremated with full state honours. Prominent personalities including Tamil Nadu's chief ministers M. Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha paid their last respects to the veteran actor.[16]

Personal life

Ganesan’s dream was to become a doctor. In April 1940 he went to Trichy to see T.R. Alamelu. Alamelu’s father proposed his daughter in marriage and promised him a medical seat after graduation. Ganesan immediately agreed and married Alamelu in June 1940. Alamelu lost her father and her elder sister within one month of her marriage. Ganesan's dreams of becoming a doctor shattered. There was no choice left for him but to find a job immediately as he was the only person to support his family. He got an interview from Indian Air Force. Much against Alamelu’s wishes Ganesan went to Delhi. In Delhi he met his uncle Narayanaswami who advised him to become a teacher. He married Pushpavalli and Savitri later.

Gemini Ganesan fathered the Bollywood actress Rekha, while living with Pushpavalli. He did not acknowledge Rekha's paternity during her childhood. It was in the early 1970s, when Rekha was looking for a footing in Bollywood, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation.[17][18] She did not even attend her father's funeral, and once when asked about their relationship in a televised interview, she paused with silence and revealed nothing.[2]

Though there is no correct account of the number of wives he had, it is widely believed that he was married to Alamelu, Savitri and Pushpavalli. He is survived by seven daughters and a son. His children are Revathi Swaminathan, Kamala Selvaraj, Narayani Ganesh, Jaya Shreedhar, actress Rekha, Radha Usman Syed, Vijaya Chamundeswari and Sathish Kumaar Ganesan.[5]

Awards

Filmography

Main article: Gemini Ganesan filmography

References

  1. ^ "Gemini Ganesan – Romance King of Tamil Films". October 2, 2005.
  2. ^ a b "India's 'king of romance' dies". The Times of India. March 23, 2005.
  3. ^ "Tribute to Gemini Ganesan". The Times of India. Nov 22, 2010.
  4. ^ "Events - MGR-Sivaji-Gemini: TRINITY Album Launched". IndiaGlitz. 2011-01-22. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Gemini Ganesan Biography - Gemini Ganesan Profile, Childhood & Filmography". Lifestyle.iloveindia.com. 1920-11-17. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  6. ^ "A.M.Rajah - Tamil singers". Kollywoodsingers.com. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  7. ^ "Cinema Plus / Columns : Miss Malini 1947". The Hindu. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  8. ^ "Veerapandiya Kattabomman | Awards & Nominations | National Awards | Filmfare Awards South | Vijay TV Award | Cine Best". Popcorn.oneindia.in. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  9. ^ "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Mega star, mega film, mega hype". The Hindu. 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  10. ^ "C.V Sridhar, veteran director passes away!". Sify.com. 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  11. ^ "Veteran filmmaker Sridhar passes away - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  12. ^ Theodore Baskaran (2011-01-01). "Arts / Books : A daughter's tribute". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  13. ^ "1958: The Year that was - The Indian Express". Cscsarchive.org:8081. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  14. ^ "Find Hindi Movie Nazrana - 1961, Nazrana - 1961 Reviews, Expert Review and Casts". Jointscene.com. 1961-01-01. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  15. ^ "Boxofficeindia.com". Boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  16. ^ "Gemini Ganesan passes away". Rediff. March 22, 2005.
  17. ^ "Profile / bio-graphy of Rekha". Bollywood Images. 1954-10-10. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  18. ^ "When Bollywood washes dirty linen in public - Bollywood Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 2005-03-17. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  19. ^ "Book, DVD on Gemini Ganesan to be released". Ndtv.com. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2012-04-22.

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