On Sivaji Ganesan’s 96th Birth Anniversary, Fans Recall His Padayappa Success And Rajinikanth’s Tribute – News18

The 96th birth anniversary of legendary actor Thilakam Sivaji Ganesan was celebrated on October 1. His fans, around the world, celebrated his legacy like every other year. Since his passing, no actor has been able to fill his shoes, with fans honouring his memory, believing that such a remarkable talent will never come again.

Padayappa was a significant film in Sivaji Ganesan’s career, where he delivered a powerful performance as Dharmalingam, playing the role of Rajinikanth’s father. The film was a major success for Rajinikanth and is still fondly remembered today.

After the business dealings for Padayappa concluded, Sivaji Ganesan’s payment from the production company was given to his son Ramkumar. Surprised, Ramkumar asked Sivaji about the amount, as the check was for Rs 1 crore.

Sivaji Ganesan humorously responded that they must have added an extra zero by mistake. He then called the production company for clarification, and it was revealed that Rajinikanth had personally requested that Sivaji be paid Rs 1 crore. Following this, Sivaji is said to have written a letter of gratitude to Rajinikanth for the generous gesture.

Sivaji Ganesan has left behind a legacy that is unparalleled to date. Even though he predominantly worked in the Tamil industry, he was widely popular for his versatility and acting skills across various film industries. With over 250 films to his credit, in a career spanning more than four decades, he is considered one of the finest actors to have graced Indian cinema. He was the first Indian actor to be honoured as a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

He earned the National Film Award (Special Jury), four Filmfare Awards South, and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. Sivaji Ganesan passed away on July 21, 2001, and yesterday marked his 23rd death anniversary. On this occasion, let us delve deeper into some lesser-known facts about his eventful career.