Veteran actor Delhi Ganesh has been a Tamil cinema stalwart for more than five decades and was recently seen in Silambarasan TR's Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu under Gautham Vasudev Menon's direction. The Tamil Nadu State Film Award winner reprised his role as Iyer from the 1987 cult classic Kamal Haasan blockbuster Nayakan directed by Mani Ratnam, which came as a big surprise to fans, and has thus also spawned the talk of his appearance in the Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu sequel as well. Delhi Ganesh, who has garnered a name for himself as a highly-talented performer by appearing in several noteworthy films, recently sat down for an interview with Galatta to share his memorable experiences over the course of his year.
Having excelled in any role that has come his way, Delhi Ganesh revealed a never before known secret about his role in 'Thalapathy' Vijay's Thamizhan, while also sharing his experience about filming the iconic cigarette comedy scene in the 2002 film. The veteran actor revealed that his role as Advocate Lakshmi Narayanan was originally played by another person in the courtroom drama film. Delhi Ganesh said, "Initially, the role was performed by another actor, but the scene didn't match Vijay's expectations as it lacked humor. We all know him to be quiet and observing on the sets, but he knows everything. It was Vijay who suggested my name for the role in Thamizhan after which I received a call to be a part of the film."
Talking about his combination with Vijay in Thamizhan which also included the iconic cigarette comedy scene, Delhi Ganesh revealed, "When I got the call for the role, I asked about the call sheet and I was informed it would be around 1 or 2 days. I initially said no because I didn't want to do a role for one or two days. After I said I wouldn't do the role, veteran actor Vairam Krishnamoorthy told me to not let go of the opportunity. He told me that only a story writer or a director or an actor would have suggested my name and advised me to take up the role. After that discussion, I went and did the role and it came out really well. Each time I visit Kerala, Vijay's fans come and re-enact the cigarette comedy scene by speaking my dialogue in the film."
Having also appeared in Vijay's Priyamaanavale, Vettaikaran, and Kaavalan, Delhi Ganesh has been seen in several unforgettable films like Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Nayakan (1987), Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Avvai Shanmughi (1996), Aahaa..! (1997) and Thenali (2000), and will once again share screen space next with 'Ulaganayagan' Kamal Haasan in the highly-anticipated Indian 2 under Shankar's direction being produced by the Lyca Productions and Red Giant Movies banners. As for Vijay, he will be seen in Varisu directed by Vamshi Paidipally releasing in January and is expected to begin shooting for the tentatively titled Thalapathy 67 under Lokesh Kanagaraj's direction soon.
Watch Delhi Ganesh share his memorable film experiences in the interview below:
