Well-known Tamil director and actor Rajasekhar who also appeared in several notable TV serials in his later years passed away in Chennai on Sunday. The cinema artist was ailing for the past few days and admitted to Ramachandra Hospital in the city. A resident of Vadapalani, he was 61.
Rajasekhar, along with his friend Robert, directed quite a few notable films like Palaivana Solai, Chinnapoove Mella Pesu, Manasukul Mathappu, Dhooram Adhighamillai, Kalyana Kalam and Paravaigal Palavitham to name a few. The duo was popularly referred to as Robert-Rajasekhar.
Chinnapoove Mella Pesu, which came out in 1987, had Prabhu and Ramki in the lead roles, launching the debut of music director SA Rajkumar and actor Ramki. The film was considered a box office success.
The duo’s Palaivana Solai, starring Suhasini Maniratnam, Chandrasekhar and Janagaraj, was considered their most famous film. Released in 1981, the film went on to become a hit and was subsequently remade in other languages.
As an actor, Rajasekhar made his debut in Bharathiraja’s 1980 film Nizhalgal. Actor ‘Nizhalgal’ Ravi too was introduced in this film. “Idhu oru pon maalai pozhudhu” is a popular song composed by Ilaiyaraaja in the film featuring Rajasekhar. Though a commercial failure, the film was screened in the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India in 1981 and the same year it won two awards at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
The actor is also well known for the television soaps he appeared in, the most popular being Vijay TV’s Saravanan Meenakshi, in which he played Saravanan’s father. Other notable serials include Anbe Vaa and Thendral.
Following the news of his demise, several remembered the actor and paid tribute on Twitter.
Artist #Rajasekar 61 passed away today. Add# Flat no 3206, Appasamy Builders, Arcot Rd , Vadapalani. Forum mall inside.cell.9500064492.
— NadigarSangam PrNews (@NadigarsangamP) September 8, 2019
RIP ! pic.twitter.com/AvhgASGncs
The duo Robert-Rajasekar came with a bang and later #Rajasekar used his experience in the industry & continued his passion for cinema. His demise leaves a vaccum among his good friends & in the industry. May his soul rest in peace.#RIPRajasekar
— R Sarath Kumar (@realsarathkumar) September 8, 2019
#RajaSekar
— Balaji (@rnsr24) September 8, 2019
பிரபல இயக்குநரும் நடிகருமான ராஜசேகர் உடல்நலக்குறைவால் காலமானார்... pic.twitter.com/3cRxesx0nx
#Rajasekar Sir
— Joe Vigneshᴷᵃᵃᵖᵖᵃᵃⁿ ᴼⁿ ˢᵉᵖᵗ ²⁰ | ᵀʰᵃˡᵃ⁶⁰ (@JyothiVignesh) September 8, 2019
A well known Film & Television actor, Director Superb Perfomer
May His Soul REST IN PEACE pic.twitter.com/NlLMzCGvG3
Rest In Peace RAJASEKAR APPA #RIPRajasekar pic.twitter.com/qNvmOw1dMu
— R.K.Arun Prakash KRS (@krs_arun) September 8, 2019
He was part of one of my fav songs 'idhu Oru ponmazhai pozhudhu' ..A Great artist RIP #Rajasekar sir... pic.twitter.com/dmKbXRSIOE
— Prithvi krishna (@prithvikrish) September 8, 2019
வெள்ளித்திரை, சின்னத்திரை இரண்டிலும் முத்திரை பதித்த நடிகரும், இயக்குனரும், கழகத்தின் மீது மிகுந்த அன்பு கொண்டவருமான திரு.ராஜசேகர் மறைந்தார் என்பதை அறிந்து வருத்தம் அடைந்தேன்.அவரை இழந்து வாடும் குடும்பத்தினருக்கும்,திரை உலகினருக்கும் எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
— TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) September 8, 2019