Gemini Ganesh (1920-2005)

Aka Ramaswamy Ganesan, known in Tamil as Kadhal Mannan (King of Romance). Tamil star also known for performances in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. Graduated in chemistry and worked at the Madras Christian College. Joined the Gemini Studio in 1946 as casting assistant. Became a star with his double role in Manampola Mangalyam, during the making of which he met Telugu and Tamil star Savitri, whom he married. Known mainly for soft romantic roles (e.g. Kalyana Parisu), or Vanjikottai Valiban (where he played opposite two female leads, Padmini and Vyjayanthimala); also for love stories in which he plays the loser. Later played in mythologicals, e.g. A.P. Nagarajan’s Kandan Karunai and several P. Subramanyam films in Malayalam such as Kumara Sambhavam; the melodramatic lead with Sowcar Janaki in Panthulu’s Tamil remake of School Master. Father of Hindi star Rekha.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1947: Miss Malini; 1952: Thayi Ullam; 1953: Avvaiyyar; Manampola Mangalyam; 1954: Penn; 1955: Maheshwari; Valliyin Selvam; Maman Magal; Kanavane Kan Kanda Daivam; Kalam Maripochu; Pennin Perumai; Missiamma; 1956: Prema Pasam; Asai; Devata; Mathar Kula Manikam; Sadaram; 1957: Miss Mary; Manalane Mangayin Bhagyam; Mallika; Maya Bazaar; Yar Paiyan; Saubhagyavati; Karpurakarasi; Kutumba Gauravam; 1958: Thirumanam; Vanjikottai Valiban; Raj Tilak; Pati Bhakti; Kadan Vangi Kalyanam; School Master; Bhuloka Rambha; 1959: Kalyana Parisu; Veerapandiya; Vazha Vaitha Daivam; Nalla Theerpu; Adisaya Thirudan; Bhagya Devatha; Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi; 1960: Kalathur Kannamma; Parthiban Kanavu; Pudhiya Pathai; Meenda Sorgam; Ellorum Innattu Mannar; Kairasi; 1961: Kappalotiya Thamizhan; Pasamalar; Nazrana; Saugandh; Bhagya Lakshmi; Thennilavu; Pavamanippu; Panithirai; 1962: Kathirunda Kankal; Konjum Salangai; Adiperaku; Parthal Pasi Theerum; Sumaithangi; Manithan Maravillai; Patha Kannikkai; Swarnamanjari; 1963: Lavakusa; Idayathil Nee; Karpagam; Ezhai Pangalan; 1964: Oralkoodi Kalanayi; Pasamum Nesamum; Vazhkai Vazhvadarke; 1965: Hello Mister Zamindar; 1966: Ramu; Chinnachiru Ulagam; Thene Mazhai; 1967: Kandan Karunai; Pattathu Rani; Seeta; Padhyam; Penn Entral Penn; 1968: Balaram Shri Krishna; Panama Pasama; Thamarai Nenjam; 1969: Kumara Sambhavam; Avare En Daivam; Iru Kodukal; Kuzhandai Ullam; Thanga Malar; Porsilai; Aindhu Laksham; Manaivi; Shanti Nilayam; Kulavilakku; 1970: Ethirkalam; Tapalkaran Thangai; Sorgam; Sinehithi; Kanmalar; Kaviya Thalaivi; Malathi; 1971: Punnagai; 1972: Kanna Nalama; Enna Mudalali Sowkiyama; Appa Tata; Kurathi Magan; Ellai Kodu; Velli Vizha; Daivam; Shakti Leela; Professor; Shri Guruvayoorappan; 1973: Ganga Gauri; Nalla Mudivu; School Master; Thirumalai Daivam; Malai Nattu Mangai; Kattilla Thottilla; Jesus; 1974: Manikka Thothil; Nan Avanillai; Devi Shri Karumariamman; Devi Kanyakumari; 1975: Swami Ayyappan; Uravukku Kayi Koduppam; 1976: Dashavatharam; Idaya Malar*; Lalitha; Unakkaga Naan; 1977: Naam Pirandha Maan; Shri Murugan; Oka Thalli Katha; 1978: Shri Kanchi Kamakshi; Bhrashthu; 1979: Allavudeenum Albutha Velakkum and the Wonderful Lamp; Gnana Kuzhandhai; 1983: Oppantham; Soorakottai Singhakutty; 1988: Rudraveena; Unnal Mudiyum Thambi; Ponmana Selvan.