The South Indian film industry is in mourning following the sudden demise of talented actor Daniel Balaji. Balaji, known for his impactful performances in both hero and villainous roles, passed away on Friday at the age of 48 due to a cardiac arrest.
Balaji, whose original name was T. C. Balaji, rose to prominence with the Tamil television series ‘Chithi’ on Sun TV. The name ‘Daniel Balaji’ stuck with him throughout his career. Initially starting as a unit production manager, Balaji transitioned to acting and appeared in several television serials before making his film debut in ‘April Maadhathil’ (2002).
His career breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed Tamil film ‘Kaakha Kaakha’ (2003), directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. Balaji’s portrayal of a police officer garnered widespread praise and established him as a formidable talent. He later reprised the role in the Telugu remake titled ‘Gharshana’ (2004).
Balaji showcased his versatility by convincingly playing both positive and negative characters throughout his career. He made his mark in Telugu films like ‘Chirutha’ (2007) and ‘Tuck Jagadish’ (2016). His last on-screen appearance was in the Tamil film ‘Ariyavan’ (2023).
The sudden demise of Daniel Balaji has left a void in the hearts of fans and colleagues alike. Tributes and condolence messages have been pouring in from across the film industry. His last rites will be held at Purasawalkam today.
