Tamil actor Daniel Balaji, renowned for his compelling portrayals of antagonistic characters, passed away late on Friday at the age of 48. The actor was rushed to a private hospital yesterday following complaints of chest pain, where he succumbed to a heart attack. News of his demise swiftly spread across social media, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues alike.
Daniel Balaji embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry as a unit production manager for Kamal Haasan’s shelved film Marudhunayagam. He rose to prominence through his role in the popular serial Chithi, where he adopted the screen name Daniel. His cinematic debut came in 2002 with April Madhathil. Throughout his illustrious career, he delivered memorable performances in films such as Kaakha Kaakha, Polladhavan, Vettaiyadu Vilayaadu, and Vada Chennai. Known for his collaborations with director Gautham Menon, Daniel Balaji brought depth and charisma to a variety of roles, earning acclaim across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema.
His final appearance was in the Tamil film Ariyavan, directed by Mithran Jawahar, which premiered last year. Daniel Balaji’s legacy as a versatile actor and his contributions to Indian cinema will be remembered fondly by audiences and industry peers alike.
