Veteran Tamil actor C. R Parthiban passed away on Monday evening due to age-related issues. He was 90. Parthiban is best known among Tamil cinema fans and film adicionados for his memorable performance in the 'Nadigar Thilagam' Sivaji Ganesan blockbuster Veerapandiya Kattabomman. The acclaimed actor had portrayed the role of Jackson Durai in the 1959 biographical war film, which fetched him immense praise from fans and critics alike. Directed by one of the most celebrated filmmakers in Tamil cinema history, B. R. Panthulu, many hailed Parthiban's performance in Veerapandiya Kattabomman as a major highlight considering the film featured a powerhouse cast that included the likes of Gemini Ganesan and Padmini apart from Sivaji Ganesan. 

Hailing from Vellore, C. R. Parthiban had come to Chennai (then Madras) to pursue his Bachelors Degree and had been bitten by the acting bug after reaching the city. Incidentally, he had gotten an opportunity to first act in Hindi films and had then gone on to be noticed in Tamil in Sivaji Ganesan's Veerapandiya Kattabomman. Parthiban's role as Jackson Durai in the film was talked about a lot upon its release as only a few villain performances had made heads turn and the veteran actor made a big impression. 

For his role in Veerapandiya Kattabomman, C. R. Parthiban had been transformed into an Englishman representing the East India Company, which was controlling a large part of the Indian subcontinent. Veerapandiya Kattabomman was adapted from a play of the same name by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy, which as well featured Sivaji Ganesan in the titular character. It also holds the distinction of being the first Tamil film to be released in Technicolor, with a digitally-restored version released in 2015 too turning out to be a success. 

Apart from Veerapandiya Kattabomman, C. R. Parthiban had starred in nearly 120 films in his illustrious career and had maintained an association with legendary Tamil Nadu personalities like Rajaji, 'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi, 'Puratchi Thalaivar' M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), 'Puratchi Thalaivi' J. Jayalalithaa, including former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and iconic Telugu actor N. T. Rama Rao.