On Saturday, the Tamil film industry mourned the sudden demise of the renowned actor, Daniel Balaji, who passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 48. Known for his compelling portrayal of villainous characters and intense on-screen presence, Balaji had left an indelible mark with his performances in various films and television shows spanning three decades.
Expressing profound sorrow over Balaji’s untimely departure, actor-politician Kamal Haasan remarked, “Daniel’s sudden passing away is shocking. The agony of death at a young age is distressing,” extending his condolences to the grieving family and friends.
Similarly, fellow actor Keerthy Suresh took to social media to express her disbelief, stating, “Shocking to hear that Daniel Balaji is no more! A great actor gone too soon! My heart goes out to his family and friends.”
Balaji embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry as a unit production manager in the incomplete project ‘Marudhunayagam’ under the guidance of Kamal Haasan. He earned the moniker ‘Daniel’ after his notable role in the popular Tamil television serial ‘Chithi’, where his character was named ‘Daniel’, eventually becoming part of his real name, Balaji.
His acting career saw a significant rise with his debut in the Tamil film ‘April Maadhathil’, followed by memorable performances in movies like ‘Kaadhal Kondein’, and ‘Vettaiyadu Vilayadu’. He showcased his talent across languages, including Malayalam and Kannada, and gained appreciation for his antagonistic roles in films such as ‘Vada Chennai’ and ‘Polladhavan’. Balaji’s versatility was further highlighted by his portrayal of a villain in the Telugu film ‘Chirutha’.
Despite starting as a unit production manager, Balaji had familial connections within the industry. His uncle, Kannada director Siddalingaiah, known for his collaborations with Rajkumar, is the father of Tamil actor Murali, making actor Atharvaa Murali Balaji’s nephew.
In a gesture of kindness, Balaji had pledged to donate his eyes after his passing, which was fulfilled as reported by a trade analyst on Saturday afternoon. This act garnered admiration from his fans, who hailed him as an inspiration once again.
