Sivaji Ganesan

Acting

Sivaji Ganesan

Born — Died

1928-10-01 — 2001-07-21

Place of birth

Villuppuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Known for

Acting

Credits

66 titles

Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar, commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. Well known for his versatility and acting skills with numerous roles depicted on screen, he remains one of the most respected stage and film actors in the history of Indian entertainment, with a career spanning close to five decades and nearly 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi to his credit. Arguably the preeminent leading man during the "Golden Age" of Tamil cinema, Ganesan was the first Indian film actor to win a "Best Actor" award at an international film festival, the Afro-Asian Film Fest…

Known for

Rajaraja Cholan poster
8.5

Rajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Tamil film about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola.

Rajaraja Cholan

1973

Padayappa poster
7.4

Padayappa, a mechanical engineer whose father gives up his property to his foster brother, and then dies of shock soon after. Neelambari initially loves Padayappa, but plans to humiliate him after his family humiliates her father. The rest of the plot deals with Padayappa overcoming all the obstacles placed by Neelambari.

Padayappa

1999

Thiruvarutchelvar poster
7.5

When a dancer makes a king realise the insignificance of the worldly pleasures, he decides to devote his life to the Almighty and starts reciting tales and songs of His greatness.

Thiruvarutchelvar

1967

Kaveri poster
NR

A story of two rival kings, (R. Balasubramaniam, T.E. Krishnamachari); Sivaji Ganesan is the son of the latter. Krishnamachari is under the influence of an ambitious spiritual guru (Nambiar) who manipulates the king for his own ends. The prince works hard to prevent him from achieving his designs. He moves around the kingdom incognito fighting for people's rights. During this time he meets and falls in love with a dancer (Padmini). The rival king's daughter Lalitha is also in love with him. The wily advisor (Veerappa) of the other king tries to work out things in his favor and marry the dancer. After many twists and turns, the villains are exposed and the princess sacrifices her love in favor of the dancer.

Kaveri

1955

No artwork available
NR

Valli and Muthu are in love but their marriage is interrupted when Muthu's father demands dowry for the humiliation he faced at the hands of Valli's family.

Ponnunjal

1973

Illara Jothi poster
NR

Manohar is an under appreciated poet and playwright. He is married to Kaveri, a kind hearted personality who cannot match Manohar's intellect. During his travails he is found by Chitra, a connoisseur of fine arts and drama. She encourages Manohar to become a published author and refers him to her contacts. Manohar achieves dramatic success, money flows in to his life, his lifestyle changes and he spends a lot of time with Chitra neglecting Kaveri. After some struggles he realises Kaveri is ready to let go of him and sacrifice her love for him. He realises his selfishness in this drama and apologises to both Kaveri and Chitra, finally making up with Kaveri.

Illara Jothi

1954

Film credits

1980s · 6 titles

1970s · 21 titles

Rajaraja Cholan poster
8.5

Rajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Tamil film about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola.

Rajaraja Cholan

1973

No artwork available
NR

Valli and Muthu are in love but their marriage is interrupted when Muthu's father demands dowry for the humiliation he faced at the hands of Valli's family.

Ponnunjal

1973

Paattum Bharathamum poster
NR

Ravi, a businessman, falls in love with Lalitha, a professional dancer. But her father challenges him to learn the art of dance in order to marry his daughter.

Paattum Bharathamum

1975

No artwork available
NR

Believing that he has killed his pregnant wife, a gambler flees the country and returns years later with a new identity. He meets his son but faces many problems before reuniting with his family.

Thaai

1974

No artwork available
NR

Raman Ethanai Ramanadi is a 1970 Tamil language drama film directed by P. Madhavan

Raman Ethanai Ramanadi

1970

Pattikada Pattanama poster
6.2

Pattikada Pattanama is a story about Mookkaiyan and kalpana who are completely opposite in their way of culture.Kalpana returns back to India after studying abroad and visits Mookkaiyans

Pattikada Pattanama

1972

No artwork available
NR

When Punyakodi, a rich haughty man who is also an anti-labour, kills a union leader, one of his staff members, Latha, witnesses the murder. She exposes his crime with the help of Dharmadurai.

Mannavan Vanthaanadi

1975

Sorgam poster
6.0

Sankar is an ambitious man who wants to make it big through fair means. However, the friend he works under, Sampath, begins to use corrupt measures to make them rich.

Sorgam

1970

Vani Rani poster
NR

Identical twins Vani and Rani are separated at birth. One is tortured by her abusive aunt while the other grows up as a street performer. However, their lives change forever when they swap places. A remake of 1972 Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta.

Vani Rani

1974

No artwork available
9.0

A patient suffering from brain tumor lives with his old mother and sister with special needs. He accepts blame for a murder he did not commit in exchange for money to provide for his family.

Naan Vazhavaippen

1979

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Thangaikkaaga

1971

My Beloved, My Life poster
NR

Lawyers Sattanathan and Ramaswamy, once best friends, now share a bitter rivalry. The two are left aghast when Saravanan, Sattanathan's son, falls in love with Devi, Ramaswamy's daughter

My Beloved, My Life

1975

Gnana Oli poster
8.0

Antony, an ex-convict, leaves the country after killing his daughter's lover. He returns many years later as a reputable man, but his friend, Lawrence, recognises him and tries to expose him.

Gnana Oli

1972

Iru Thuruvam poster
NR

The atrocities of a landlord lead one brother to the life of a dacoit while the younger brother becomes a police officer. However, things take a turn when they are pitted against each other.

Iru Thuruvam

1971

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Grahapravesam

1976

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Chatrapati Sivaji

1974

Bhakta Tukaram poster
10.0

The story of this film is based on the life story of a prominent saint Tukaram.

Bhakta Tukaram

1973

Gauravam poster
7.5

Rajinikanth, a veteran lawyer aspires to become the judge. But, the bar council promotes an undeserving lawyer to the post. Enraged by the system, he tries to seek his revenge by defending a murderer.

Gauravam

1973

Engirundho Vandhaal poster
NR

At the request of a wealthy man, a courtesan agrees to help heal his mentally disturbed son by pretending to be his wife. Her efforts only earn her abuse and wrath at the hands of most family members.

Engirundho Vandhaal

1970

Unakkaga Naan poster
NR

Best friends Raja and Ramu decide to oppose the union leader of Raja's mill when he creates problems. However, they face several obstacles in their attempt to stop him.

Unakkaga Naan

1976

No artwork available
9.0

No synopsis available yet.

Thyagam

1978

1960s · 17 titles

Thiruvarutchelvar poster
7.5

When a dancer makes a king realise the insignificance of the worldly pleasures, he decides to devote his life to the Almighty and starts reciting tales and songs of His greatness.

Thiruvarutchelvar

1967

No artwork available
NR

After Sundaram resigns from the hospital, he goes to serve in a village but faces opposition from those practising traditional medicine. He finds himself in trouble when Meena gets pregnant.

Pesum Deivam

1967

Harichandra poster
8.0

Harichandra (Tamil: ஹரிச்சந்திரா) is a 1968 Indian Tamil film, directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by G. Varalakshmi. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, G. Varalakshmi, T. S. Balaiah and K. A. Thangavelu in lead roles. The film had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan

Harichandra

1968

Thirumal Perumai poster
9.0

Thirumal Perumai tells three spell-bounding stories about how far you can get with Lord Vishnus

Thirumal Perumai

1968

No artwork available
NR

A scheming landlord tricks a kind-hearted Sethupathi into losing everything he owns. He then swears to become wealthy and reclaim his ancestral mansion at any cost.

Enga Oor Raja

1968

No artwork available
8.0

No synopsis available yet.

Gurudhakshaneiy

1969

Rakhi poster
9.0

Siblings Rakhi and Raju are orphaned at a young age but grow up to become successful entrepreneurs. However, petty differences over their earned wealth and property threaten to ruin their bond.

Rakhi

1962

No artwork available
NR

Janaki and Sekar are in love with each other. However, when Janaki learns that she is incapable of giving birth to a child, she plans to get her sister married to Sekar.

Paaladai

1967

Punar Janmam poster
5.0

Punar Janmam (Rebirth) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. S. Mani. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, Ragini and P. Kannamba in lead roles. The film, produced by N. S. Diraviyam under Vijaya Films banner, had musical score by T. Chalapathi Rao and was released on 21 April 1961.

Punar Janmam

1961

No artwork available
NR

Sivaraman, a railway station master, is very fond of his sister, Anandhi. However, when he sees her secretly meeting a man, he accidentally murders him.

Anbu Karangal

1965

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Senthamarai

1962

Thillana Mohanambal poster
7.3

A classical bharatanatyam dancer and a nathaswaram player fall in love against the wishes of her family.

Thillana Mohanambal

1968

Marutha Nattu Veeran poster
7.0

Jeevagan, a brave warrior, is selected as the guard for Rathna, a princess. They fall in love, but the king's minister, Veera Kesha, frames him as a traitor to carry out his plan to seize the kingdom.

Marutha Nattu Veeran

1961

Aalayamani poster
NR

Aalayamani is a tale of possessiveness and distrust towards one's partner and the eventual redemption by sacrifice. The story is an essential interplay of feelings and the shadows cast upon by darker feelings of one person and the effect it produces on himself and in his immediate circle of friends and family.

Aalayamani

1962

No artwork available
9.0

1963 Tamil Film

Chitor Rani Padmini

1963

Karnan poster
7.3

Brave and loyal warrior-archer Karna joins the Kauravas to battle the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra.

Karnan

1964

No artwork available
5.0

Babu and Vimala are lovers. However, under a circumstance Babu is forced to get married with dying Gowri without the acknowledgement of Vimala. Vimala and Gowri are friends. Shocked by the fact her lover get married to Gowri, Vimala and Babu tried to keep their past as a secret from Gowri.

Neela Vanam

1965

1950s · 13 titles

Kaveri poster
NR

A story of two rival kings, (R. Balasubramaniam, T.E. Krishnamachari); Sivaji Ganesan is the son of the latter. Krishnamachari is under the influence of an ambitious spiritual guru (Nambiar) who manipulates the king for his own ends. The prince works hard to prevent him from achieving his designs. He moves around the kingdom incognito fighting for people's rights. During this time he meets and falls in love with a dancer (Padmini). The rival king's daughter Lalitha is also in love with him. The wily advisor (Veerappa) of the other king tries to work out things in his favor and marry the dancer. After many twists and turns, the villains are exposed and the princess sacrifices her love in favor of the dancer.

Kaveri

1955

Illara Jothi poster
NR

Manohar is an under appreciated poet and playwright. He is married to Kaveri, a kind hearted personality who cannot match Manohar's intellect. During his travails he is found by Chitra, a connoisseur of fine arts and drama. She encourages Manohar to become a published author and refers him to her contacts. Manohar achieves dramatic success, money flows in to his life, his lifestyle changes and he spends a lot of time with Chitra neglecting Kaveri. After some struggles he realises Kaveri is ready to let go of him and sacrifice her love for him. He realises his selfishness in this drama and apologises to both Kaveri and Chitra, finally making up with Kaveri.

Illara Jothi

1954

Thuli Visham poster
NR

Set in a historical backdrop, the narrative revolves around political intrigue, power struggles, and royal conflicts.Prince Suryakanthan (played by Sivaji Ganesan) and Chandran (played by K.R. Ramasamy) navigate complex relationships and rivalries involving figures like Veeramarthandan (S.V. Ranga Rao).

Thuli Visham

1954

Eyes poster
NR

A doctor husband wants to make his wife go blind by putting drops that would harm her eyes making her believe that it would improve her eyesight. The purpose is to marry his wife's sister.

Eyes

1953

Manithanum Mrigamum poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Manithanum Mrigamum

1953

Nalla Veedu poster
NR

Nalla Veedu (transl. Good House) is a 1956 Indian Tamil language film, directed by Jyotish Sinha. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, M. N. Rajam, Pandaribai and Mynavathi. It was released on 14 January 1956.

Nalla Veedu

1956

Modala thedi poster
NR

Sivagnanam works as a bank clerk. Though his pay is meagre, he deals with a lot of cash at the bank. His family consists of his wife Lakshmi, a daughter whose marriage is being negotiated and two school going children. The bank where he works crashes and Sivagnanam is unable to find another job.

Modala thedi

1955

Marma Veeran poster
NR

Marma Veeran (1956) is a Tamil swashbuckler adventure film directed by T. R. Raghunath and produced by its lead actor Sriram, who portrays a Zorro-inspired vigilante fighting political injustice. The film stars Vyjayanthimala, Rajasulochana, and M. N. Rajam, and features notable guest appearances by Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, and Gemini Ganesan.

Marma Veeran

1956

King and Queen poster
9.0

An impoverished woman named Rani (Padmini) escapes from her abusive and predatory drama company owner, Babu (S.S. Rajendran), after being robbed and finding herself unconscious in the car of wealthy stage actor Raja (Sivaji Ganesan). Mistaken by Raja for a rich runaway named Leela, Rani plays along and joins his new theater troupe, leading the two to fall in love. However, the vengeful Babu attempts to sabotage their romance by poisoning Raja during a live stage enactment of Socrates, setting up a dramatic climax where the lovers must overcome this deadly plot to finally unite

King and Queen

1956

No artwork available
NR

In an attempt to bring reforms amongst his students, a righteous school teacher hailing from a small village gets embroiled in politics.

School Master

1959

Vazhvile Oru Naal poster
NR

The story tracks interpersonal entanglements, deception, and moral choices involving Kannan (Sivaji Ganesan) and Janaki (G. Varalakshmi), complicated by familial opposition from characters like Vazhavanthan

Vazhvile Oru Naal

1956

Naan Petra Selvam poster
NR

Shekar, a rich young man, discovers that his cousins, Gowri and Sundar, are finding it difficult to lead a comfortable life. He decides to help them against his father's wishes.

Naan Petra Selvam

1956

No artwork available
8.0

Vaidyalingam Moopanar and his younger brother Sundaralingam live together along with their family. It is one big happy joint family. Vaidyalingam does not have any children while Sundaralingam has two sons. His older son's left hand is paralysed since childhood, while his younger son is studying in college in the city. Vaidyalingam's wife is bitter and keeps cursing Sundaralingam and his family, while Vaidyalingam is very affectionate towards them and is unhappy with his wife for her bad behaviour.

Bhaaga Pirivinai

1959

Behind the camera