Delhi Ganesh, Veteran Tamil Actor and Former IAF Officer, Dies At 80 Due To Age Related Ailments

Veteran Tamil actor Delhi Ganesh breathed his last on November 9 at the age of 80 at his residence in Chennai. As per reports, he was suffering from various age-related ailments. He passed away at his house in Ramapuram. The news of his death was confirmed by his son in a social media post.

Delhi Ganesh's son confirms the news of his passing

Delhi Ganesh's son took to his Instagram account to confirm the news of his passing. In his post, he wrote, "We deeply regret to inform that our father Dr Delhi Ganesh has passed away on 9th November 2024 at around 11 pm (sic)." The actor's last rites will be held at his residence on Monday, November 11 at 10 am. 

Before making his mark in Indian cinema, Delhi Ganesh also served in the Indian Air Force. He was in the force for a decade from 1964-1974. The actor rose to fame for his roles in films like Nayakan (1987) and Michael Madhana Kama Rajan (1990). 

More on Delhi Ganesh's career

Delhi Ganesh's acting career spanned over four decades, and he appeared in more than 400 films, cementing his place as a cherished character actor in Tamil cinema. He was known for his ability to seamlessly slip into a variety of roles--whether it was a comedian, a villain, or a heartfelt supporting character.

Over the years, he shared screen space with some of Tamil cinema's greatest stars, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and others. Ganesh made his film debut in 1976 with the movie Pattina Pravesam, directed by the legendary K. Balachander, who also gave him the stage name "Delhi Ganesh". In 1981, Ganesh took on the role of the hero in Engamma Maharani, but it was his extensive work as a supporting actor that made him a household name. Delhi Ganesh's contribution to Tamil cinema was recognized with several accolades. He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his performance in Pasi (1979). In addition, he was honoured with the prestigious Kalaimamani award in 1994 by then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, recognizing his excellence in the arts. In the later stages of his career, Ganesh also ventured into television and short films, continuing to entertain audiences with his distinctive style.


(With inputs from agencies)