Renowned India actor Daniel Balaji, recognized for his performances in Tamil and Malayalam cinema, passed away following a heart attack on Friday night. The 48-year-old actor was hurried to a private hospital in Chennai upon experiencing chest discomfort.
Tragically, he reportedly passed away en route to the hospital. His remains have been transported to his residence in Chennai’s Purasawalkam area for cremation.
Here are some key details about Daniel Balaji:
1. Daniel Balaji, born TC Balaji in Chennai, hails from a family with Telugu and Tamil roots. He was the nephew of Kannada director Siddalingaiah and is survived by his mother and two siblings.
2. He embarked on his film industry journey as a unit production manager for Kamal Haasan’s unreleased project, Marudhanayagam.
3. His television debut was in the serial Chithi, where he portrayed a character named Daniel. Director Sunder K Vijayan, impressed by his performance, bestowed upon him the stage name Daniel Balaji.
4. Daniel Balaji rose to prominence in Tamil cinema with notable roles in films like April Maadhathil and Kaadhal Kondein. He garnered acclaim for his portrayal of a police officer in Kaakha Kaakha, alongside actor Suriya.
5. Daniel Balaji has shared the screen with industry veterans such as Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suriya, Dhanush, and many others. He portrayed the antagonist, Amudhan, in the blockbuster Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, starring Kamal Haasan. He later ventured into Malayalam cinema with the films Black and Bhagavan, alongside Mohanlal. Additionally, he collaborated with Mammootty in Daddy Cool. His most recent appearance was in director Mithran R Jawahar’s Ariyavan in 2023.