Gemini Ganesan

Gemini Ganesan, born Ramasamy Ganesan on November 17, 1920, in the Pudukkottai princely state of British India (now Tamil Nadu, India), was an acclaimed Indian actor best known for his work predominantly in Tamil cinema.

He earned the affectionate title "Kaadhal Mannan," meaning "King of Romance," for his memorable romantic lead roles in numerous films. He was born into a traditional Brahmin family and pursued a bachelor's degree in chemistry before briefly working as a teacher at the Madras Christian College in Tambaram.

His film career began modestly at Gemini Studios, where he worked initially in the casting department and made his acting debut in the 1947 satirical film "Miss Malini." However, he truly came to public attention after playing a villain in "Thai Ullam" (1952). 

Full Name	Gemini Ganesan
Nick Name	Gemini
Other Name(s)	Ramasamy Ganesan
Occupation	Actor
Date of Birth	17-November-1920 (84 years)
Birth Location	Pudukottai, Princely State of Pudukkottai (present day: Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Gender	Male
Nationality	India
Religion	Hindu
Zodiac Sign	Scorpio
Death Time	22-March-2005
Death Location	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Height	177 cm
Weight	70 kg
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
College	Madras Christian College
Qualification	Bachelor's degree in chemistry

His breakthrough as a leading actor came with the 1953 film "Manam Pola Mangalyam," where he played a dual role alongside actress Savitri, who later became his wife. This film marked the start of his rise to stardom, and from then on, he carved a niche for himself in Tamil cinema, focusing mainly on romantic characters over action roles.

Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Gemini Ganesan featured in over 200 films, portraying a wide range of roles from mythological figures like Krishna in "Mayabazar" (1957) to complex characters in socially significant films such as "Kappalottiya Thamizhan" (1961). He also made appearances in Hindi films, mostly remakes of his Tamil hits, including "Miss Mary" (1957).

His performance in his own production "Naan Avanillai" (1974), in which he played multiple roles as a seducer, garnered critical acclaim and a Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor.

Later in his career, he transitioned to television, notably appearing in the serial "Krishnadasi." Some of his final film appearances were in "Avvai Shanmugi" (1996), a Tamil remake of "Mrs. Doubtfire."

Gemini Ganesan is also credited with introducing the legendary Tamil actor Kamal Haasan to the film industry. He was recognized for his love and advocacy of the Tamil language, participating in cultural events like the World Tamil Conference.

His personal life included marrying Alamelu in 1940, with whom he had four daughters, and later marrying actress Savitri. He passed away on March 22, 2005, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, at the age of 84 due to kidney failure and multiple organ dysfunction.