Unknown aspects of Delhi Ganesh

One thing that Delhi Ganesh knows while he is active is that his film producers, co-artists and audiences love him and what he brings to the table, be it in dramas, TV serials, short films and movies. And those in the neighborhood enjoy daily conversations with him. Two days before his death, his family said he was in a dubbing studio, and two days after, he was supposed to be filming. So, Ganesh did it the way he wanted to – knowing he was still valued as a player and a person.

Now, everyone is writing about how the former Indian Air Force Corporal, is inimitable as an actor. Of course, he is talented, disciplined. But, above all, he is bold enough to experiment with different roles, even though he has made his mark in comedy. Like the preacher-singer of the Ananthu religion Sigaramm (1991), in which he asks a young fan (Ramya Krishnan) to sleep with him, because he cannot marry and he fears that he will die without knowing the company of a woman. The desperation before the act and the guilt and fear when she finds out she’s pregnant – who else would agree to play a character that she can’t do in a way that evokes compassion? Or director Vasanth S Sai’s very jealous parents Payasam at Navarasa (2021) on Netflix, which does something that causes disgust. Ananthu and Vasanth are from K. Balachander’s school, and have seen what Delhi Ganesh can do, from close range – after all, he made his film debut with KB’s. Pattina Pravesam (1976).

Actor in director Vasanth S Sai Payasam
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

And, in his 48 years in cinema, Ganesh has never lost his creative generosity, constantly working on films or short films from up and coming directors, at a percentage of the market price. His actions are probably why my phone rang yesterday with voice notes, some of which seemed to be trembling, from many young directors. And, also why Delhi Ganesh is a ‘cool’ actor for kids growing up in the 2000s. To him, he was Alfred Pennyworth in Put Chutney What If Batman Came To Chennai. Age does not wither infinite variety, wisdom or make people bitter.

Actor-writer-director and mime artist K. Manikandan directs him in a fun film Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaridham (2015), now on Sony LIV, continues to be struck by the professionalism of the actors. “I am 21 years old, he must be in his 70s. The only response to any instruction is ‘Pak Appadeengala, Saringa sir’ (okay sir, of course sir). We pay a fraction of the market rate, we are a four-member crew and shot with a 5D camera, but gave the same, for the film. And when I handed over the balance on the last day, he said, ‘Mani, save it. Who can do it for the film’?

Delhi Ganesh kept the set a fun place to be. In K. Manikandan Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaridham
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

Manikandan is known for his mimicry of Delhi Ganesh, but he says that Ganesh is also an amazing mime artist. “He would imitate the voices of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, he would show how he got the Palakkad dialect of Michael Madana Kama Rajan (MMKR), he would keep setting the mood. He would share trivia that you would never hear,” Manikandan said, adding that it was a a time when the veteran actor thought he should give up acting, because he wasn’t getting many interesting roles and felt stagnant. He will never know that he has another ten years of work left.

Director of Prasanna Hospital Kalyana Samayal Saadham (2013) and who worked with the director Sitaare Zameen Par, starring Aamir Khan, in Hindi, talking fondly about his time with Delhi Ganesh while working on a college project, and beyond. KSS.

With Aravind SA on the set of Dhuruva Natchathiram
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

In 2010, Aravind SA, now famous as a comic, approached Ganesh for a short film. Dhuruva Natchathiram He was part of the film direction course at LV Prasad Film and TV Academy in Chennai. Prasanna and Meenakshi Ramani, who is now his wife, are the characters. In a post on X, Aravind said: “I owe everything in this journey to you… I hope to give back as much as you have given to us young”.

Prasanna played Ganesh’s son in the short. “He was very loving, and when I was nervous to face him in a scene, he assured me to deliver my lines. At the end of the day’s shooting, I told him that if I made a film, he would definitely be in it.

At Kalyana Samayal SaadhamVeteran actor aced the part of Chandrasekharan, would-be father-in-law who is generally nervous but turns cool and encourages his future son-in-law after realizing he has erectile dysfunction. “I wrote the part with him in mind, because it was close to the vibe he gave me – a young man at heart. He is a modern man who is comfortable with his traditional roots. He likes cotton kurtas, glasses and moustaches. ‘Romba cool aakite’ ( You’ve made me cool) he’ll say. If he doesn’t, I’ll be heartbroken. Again, he comes to the board with a nominal amount to support the new talent.

Ganesh likes glasses and a moustache Kalyana Samayal Saadham
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

Director Surrya M Narayanan, who at the age of 19, made the brief Unakae Uyiraanen (2013) with Delhi Ganesh, sharing Prasanna’s observations. “On the first day of shooting, he said, ‘Surrya sir, ready’. He used ‘sir’ only to give confidence and set the tone on the sets,” he said. When young Surrya shouted ‘Action’ no one moved. Then Delhi Ganesh calls her saying she has a problem with her costume. “When I set up, he whispered, ‘Surrya, first, you say ‘Roll camera’, he will say ‘Rolling’, then, you say ‘Action’, okay?’ He again shouted ‘Ready, Surrya. And that’s how I called the first accurate shot.

Prasanna remembers with gratitude the many things Ganesh did to strengthen him as a young director. “Legends like him bring a lot of wisdom and authority on the set so that everyone can lead. He is always on time, he will ask what needs to be done. Sometimes, you feel that he does it so that others give credit to the director. On the set , he likes to talk to people. And, even if you send him early, he’ll wait until the call sheet is finished. Or I’ll wait.’ he used to say to my father. He never let anyone feel that he was doing it. And, I don’t think he should be called an artist ‘.He is an amazing artist with a great character.

On his part, Delhi Ganesh feels that the young director is a pleasure to work with. In the interview to The Hindusaid: “With no preconceived notions, they provide sufficient creative feed for actors. And … they respect talent and age. They push me to give my best, but also make sure that lunch is provided for me at 1 pm, because my age

Ganesh with Kamal Haasan in Nayagan
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

Director Vasanth S Sai may be a big name today, and a National Award winning director, but when he was K. Balachander’s assistant, he had to share a room for 60 days with Delhi Ganesh in Kutralam while shooting. Achamillai Achamillai. Years later, he would give Ganesh one of his best roles Payasamas a bitter old man who is very angry with his nephew and does something that disgusts the viewer. But Ganesh infused the character with so much rotten bitterness, it’s hard to imagine it comes from someone who manages to find something to laugh at even in sadness.

“Mr. KB loves him very much, because he is sincere. There will be no mistakes in dialogue or reactions. In fact, they only add value to the scene. He helped a lot throughout Achamillai because he was familiar with Tirunelveli slang. Years later, I became a producer of a TV series called Junior Seniorr and it is the first choice.

“Actually, sir PayasamI hesitated to call him, since he had just had heart surgery, but I couldn’t think of anyone else. Even two years after Payasamwhenever someone told me that they liked the movie, they would call me and give me some advice. She is grateful for the acting opportunities that have brought her joy. He wanted to continue acting, and I’m so glad he was able to do it until the end. In his autobiography Pillayar Suzhi which was released recently, he tells a very important life with humor. I compare him to Nagesh Sir in terms of what he brings to the project. I worked with Nagesh Sir on it Rhythm and I got almost the same kind of feeling when I was Payasam with Mr. Ganesh.”

Autobiography of Ganesh Pillayar Suzhi
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

Ganesh is best known for his collaborations, mostly comedies, with Kamal Haasan and Crazy Mohan – Goodbye Shanmugi and MMKR right rank above. Interestingly, he plays two very different roles Nayaganas Iyer, and the Aboorva Sagotharargalwhere he plays baddie Francis Anbarasu.

‘Madhu’ Balaji, Crazy Mohan’s brother, has fond memories of working with Ganesh. “Mohan always called Ganesh the lucky charm. When writing for films, he always insisted that Ganesh was roped in for some role. The association began in 1975 or 1976 when Mohan wrote for Kaathadi Ramamoorthy, who also introduced Ganesh on stage. His first drama was Honeymoon Couples. Later, the Ayya ​​Ammathe antics of Ganesh and Ramamoorthy bring the play to life. Mohan always feels that if you see a character as a fruit, Ganesh is an actor who can extract the last juice, by improvising. Ganesh is a man who can fit into any role, and he can hardly fit into a vacant position.