FAN SCORE
90
POPULARITY
Rising Talent
Sivaji Ganesan was a legendary Indian film actor and stage performer, celebrated for his powerful voice, expressive acting, and unmatched contribution to Tamil cinema. He acted in over 300 films across multiple languages and is revered as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema history.
Sivaji Ganesan was a legendary Indian film actor and stage performer, celebrated for his powerful voice, expressive acting, and unmatched contribution to Tamil cinema. He acted in over 300 films across multiple languages and is revered as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema history.
Sivaji Ganesan (born Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy on October 1, 1928, in Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu) was a monumental figure in Indian cinema, particularly Tamil cinema. Fondly known as "Nadigar Thilagam" (Pride of Actors), he was renowned for his theatrical dialogue delivery, emotional depth, and versatility. Sivaji began his career on the stage, earning immense praise for his portrayal of King Sivaji in a play, which earned him his iconic stage name. He made his cinematic debut with Parasakthi (1952), which became a groundbreaking film in Tamil Nadu both for its bold dialogues and Sivaji's compelling performance. Over his career spanning five decades, Sivaji Ganesan acted in over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. His critically acclaimed films include Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Thiruvilayadal, Navarathri (where he played 9 roles), Thevar Magan, and Karnan.
Sivaji Ganesan (born Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy on October 1,
1928, in Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu) was a monumental figure in Indian cinema, particularly Tamil cinema. Fondly known as "Nadigar Thilagam" (Pride of Actors), he was renowned for his theatrical dialogue delivery, emotional depth, and versatility. Sivaji began his career on the stage, earning immense praise for his portrayal of King Sivaji in a play, which earned him his iconic stage name. He made his cinematic debut with Parasakthi (1952), which became a groundbreaking film in Tamil Nadu both for its bold dialogues and Sivaji's compelling performance. Over his career spanning five decades, Sivaji Ganesan acted in over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. His critically acclaimed films include Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Thiruvilayadal, Navarathri (where he played 9 roles), Thevar Magan, and Karnan.
Photos
videos
Personal details
- Alternative names Nadigar Thilagam, Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan
- Height 5′ 3¾″ (1.62 m)
- Born October 01, 1928 · Villupuram, Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu
- Children Prabhu Ramkumar Ganesan Thenmozhi Ganesan Shanthi Ganesan
- Relatives Prabhu Ganesan (Son, Actor), Vikram Prabhu (Grandson, Actor), Ganesh (Brother), Rajendran (Nephew)
- Other works
- Stage Actor, Producer, Playback Singer (Occasionally), Politician (Member of Rajya Sabha)
FAQ
He earned the name "Sivaji" after his powerful stage performance as Maratha King Shivaji in a play.
His debut film was Parasakthi (1952), which also marked a breakthrough for scriptwriter M. Karunanidhi.
Some of his most iconic films include Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Karnan, Thiruvilayadal, Navarathri, and Thevar Magan.
Yes, he was conferred the Chevalier title by the French government for his contribution to the arts.
Yes, he was briefly active in politics and served as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Did you know
Trivia
Sivaji Ganesan was the first Indian actor to win the prestigious Chevalier title from the French government.
He was known for memorizing entire scripts, often reciting complex monologues in a single take.
His film Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) won Best Actor Award at the Afro-Asian Film Festival in Cairo.
He played nine distinct characters in the film Navarathri (1964), showcasing his extraordinary range.
Though not a trained classical singer, he occasionally sang in his own films.
Quotes
“An actor should be a mirror to society.”
Trademarks
Powerful, emotional dialogue delivery
Grand stage-like presence in films
Iconic moustache style
Ability to convey intense emotion through voice modulation
Frequent roles as kings, gods, and mythological characters
Nicknames
Nadigar Thilagam (The Pride of Actors)
Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan
The Marlon Brando of Indian Cinema
Salaries
During the 1960s and 1970s, Sivaji Ganesan was one of the highest-paid actors in India.
His salary per film was on par with top Bollywood stars of the era.
Exact amounts varied, but he was among the first South Indian actors to earn in lakhs per movie.
Related news
No related news available.
More to explore
Movies you may like
