At the age of 75, actor Rajesh passed away in Chennai on May 29, 2025, allegedly due to a heart attack. Kollywood has been affected by his passing. Son Deepak, who made his own debut in 2014, recalled the last private moments. Through tears, Deepak described how his father’s oxygen levels dropped as he was carried downstairs. “He held my hand and kissed it,” he said. He claimed that even in his last breath, Rajesh’s tender gesture demonstrated his unwavering love.

Generations of Tamil cinema paid their respects in the funeral crowd at the Ramapuram residence. Industry titans like Vijay Sethupathi joined forces with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to bid adieu. Their presence demonstrated Rajesh’s broad impact outside of acting. He left a legacy beyond the screen by chairing the M.G.R. Film and Television Training Institute and hosting an astrology show on YouTube’s Om Saravanaa Bhava.
Bio Data: Actor Rajesh & Son Deepak
Attribute | Actor Rajesh | Son Deepak |
---|---|---|
Full Name | Rajesh (Tamil actor) | Deepak (stage debut 2014) |
Born | Circa 1949 (aged 75 at death) | Estimated mid-1980s |
Spouse | Joan Sylvia Vanathirayar (m. 1983–d. 2012) | N/A |
Children | Daughter Divya; Son Deepak | N/A |
Career Highlights | 45-year film career, 150+ movies, dubbing artist, writer, TV host, MGRTI chairman | Film actor since 2014 |
Business Ventures | Real estate, hotels, film bungalow, politics | N/A |
Notable Debut | “Kanniparuvathile” (lead role) | Acting debut in 2014 |
Last Appearance | “Merry Christmas” with Vijay Sethupathi | N/A |
Source | Rajesh | Wiki |
Despite a recent trip to Dubai, Deepak called his father’s decline “sudden.” Up until the beginning of May, Rajesh, who loved to share his travel experiences with his son, appeared to be in good health. Deepak mentioned possible dietary problems overseas that might have led to health issues, serving as a subliminal reminder of how erratic illnesses can be.
Rajesh made more than 150 appearances in Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi films over the course of his 45-year career. He began as a hero in Kanniparuvathile and progressed to a variety of supporting parts. His ability to remain relevant into his seventh decade was demonstrated by his recent appearance in Merry Christmas with Vijay Sethupathi and other modern-day celebrities. Off-camera, he wrote scripts, hosted TV shows, provided voice acting, and assisted with industry training.
In 1985, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by constructing Chennai’s first movie bungalow close to KK Nagar, a set that then-CM M.G. Ramachandran had approved of. The property was purchased by Rajesh and used for filming in Tamil, Malayalam, and Bollywood. He sold it in 1993 to focus on real estate and hospitality, with his friend Jeppiaar, a well-known educationist and businessman, credited with the advice.
In contrast to his mainstream film persona, Rajesh’s political life from 1987 to 1991 included support for C. Janaki Ramachandran and a visit to the UK to honor Karl Marx, revealing an occasionally surprising ideological side.
Deepak characterized his father as having many facets: “He earned deep respect,” he said, adding that his father’s spirit would be at peace if he could have even half the influence that his father had. Their mutual pride and Deepak’s promise to continue his father’s legacy were encapsulated in that statement made at the funeral.
In 2014, Deepak started his own acting career. The film industry is interested in him and hopes he will bring Rajesh’s depth to his own roles, even though there is still much to learn about his future.
Rajesh’s life path was significantly influenced by his marriages. He wed Joan Sylvia Vanathirayar in 1983; she was the granddaughter of Pattukottai Davis Vanathirayar, a social reformer. The couple had a son named Deepak and a daughter named Divya. In 2012, Joan passed away. In his own story, their union and her passing represented both tragedy and victory.
His business endeavors demonstrated his flexibility. He entered the hotel and construction industries, built and sold properties, and always stayed ahead of shifting market trends. This flexibility carried over into his writing and television production, where he experimented with imaginative storylines that appealed to a wide range of viewers.
Commentators highlight his ability to reinvent himself as industry leaders lament. His transition from leading man to character actor, from bungalow owner to real estate tycoon, from dubbing artist to training institute chairman, demonstrates a person who is not scared of change.
In addition to his on-screen achievements, Rajesh’s off-screen involvement demonstrated a wide range of interests and social consciousness; his work in writing, production, apprentice training, and industry infrastructure created a foundation for future talent. His ideological and political inclinations, which included Marxist views, suggested that he was a contemplative individual who wasn’t scared to venture outside of entertainment.
Deepak is currently dealing with the burden of a cherished, complicated father in addition to an up-and-coming career. Deepak has a legacy of film, social consciousness, and entrepreneurship thanks to his mother’s distinguished family, his grandfather’s reformist views, and Rajesh’s varied contributions.
Deepak’s description of his father’s last act is incredibly human, even though the Vale of celebrity frequently leaves out actual last moments. The kiss represented the end of a life filled with creativity, tenacity, and fatherly affection.
The connection between movie stars and public memory is highlighted by Rajesh’s passing in a larger cultural context. His 150+ performances touched the lives of the audience, and his passing caused a collective mourning that echoes how the cinematic family transcends sets—from street snack vendors to CM’s remembrances.
Rajesh represented a model of reinvention for the new generation of Kollywood actors: start on screen, branch out, start businesses, get involved in politics, and mentor others. Deepak has the potential to change this model by fusing performance with contemporary activities.
Celebrities are frequently mourned superficially by society, but those who pay their respects—political figures, students, and devoted fans—showcase how actors can, even in passing, anchor collective identity.
The last chapter of Rajesh’s transformation from movie star to industry titan came to an end, but Deepak marks the start of the next. He inherits tenacity, connections in the industry, and a devoted following. His eulogy in public reveals a deliberate desire to uphold his father’s values on his own terms.
Fans will discover depth beyond simple amusement as they relive Rajesh’s filmography, interviews, TV series, and time spent at the training institute—of a creative mind constantly evolving. His life serves as a reminder to viewers that family devotion, political interest, entrepreneurship, and intellectual curiosity can all coexist with celebrity.