Delhi Ganesh, veteran Tamil actor, passes away at 80

Veteran Tamil actor Delhi Ganesh passed away at the age of 80 on Saturday due to age-related ailments, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Indian cinema.

His son, Maha Devan, confirmed the news of his death on social media, informing followers that Ganesh died around 11pm.

"We deeply regret to inform that our father Dr. Delhi Ganesh has passed away on 9th November 2024 at around 11pm," Maha Devan wrote in a heartfelt post.

Delhi Ganesh’s funeral will take place on Monday, November 11, at 10am.

In response to the news, Tamil cinema's biggest names paid tribute to the actor.

Superstar Rajinikanth expressed his sadness on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "My friend Delhi Ganesh was a wonderful human being and a remarkable actor. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing. I extend my condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti."

Thalapathy Vijay also took to social media to convey his grief, posting, "The news of veteran actor Mr. Delhi Ganesh's passing due to health issues brings deep sorrow. Having acted in over 400 films across diverse roles over more than 40 years, his sudden demise is a great loss to the Tamil film industry. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his grieving family and friends."

Actor Karthi shared his sorrow as well, saying, "Saddened by the demise of Delhi Ganesh sir. His iconic roles in numerous films and his ability to bring to life unforgettable characters on screen will forever be etched in the history of Tamil cinema. You will be deeply missed, sir."

Delhi Ganesh, whose stage name was given by renowned filmmaker K. Balachander, made his debut in 1976 with the film Pattina Pravesam.

Over the span of his illustrious career, he appeared in more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema. Some of his most celebrated roles include parts in Nayakan, Michael Madhana Kamarajan, Sindhu Bhairavi, and Iruvar.

Ganesh’s contribution to Tamil cinema, particularly in bringing memorable characters to life, will remain an indelible part of the film industry's rich history.