24 October 2014(2014-10-24) (aged 86), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)
Actor, Film director, Film producer, Politician
Sedapatti Suryanarayana Rajendran, also known by his initials SSR (January 1928 – 24 October 2014), was an Indian actor, film director, film producer and politician who worked in Tamil theatre and cinema.
Film career
Sri Aandal was to have been the debut film for S. S. Rajendran as an actor. He received an offer to act in a negative role, and an advance as well. However, T. R. Sundaram, who oversaw the production, overruled Rajendran's selection because he "appeared like a boy with curly hair and was unsuitable for the villain role."[1] S. S. Rajendran was cast in the title role, but was relieved after only two weeks of shooting from the film as T. K. Muthusamy of the TKS Brothers drama troupe revealed that Rajendran was still under contract with them, and threatened legal action if the film continued production. Thus the role went to newcomer S. M. Kumaresan.[1]
Rajendran made his acting debut with the 1952 film Parasakthi,[2] directed by the directing duo Krishnan–Panju, with the character Gnanasekharan.[citation needed] He followed with Mudhalali, President Panchatcharam,[3]Pillai Kani Amudhu, Thalai Koduthan Thambi, Thedi Vandha Selvam, C. N. Annadurai's Edhayum Thangum Idhayam, M. Karunanidhi's Avan Pithana, Poompuhar and Modern TheatresKumudham. SSR acted with M. G. Ramachandran in Raja Desingu as Mohamed Khan and in Kaanji Thalaivan as Paranjothi. He had worked in many films with Sivaji Ganesan such as Manohara, Rangoon Radha, Raja Rani, Deivapiravi, Aalayamani, Pachai Vilakku, Pazhani, Kungumam, Santhi and Kai Kodutha Dheivam.
Director K. S. Gopalakrishnan was introduced from his film Saradha (a silver jubilee hit) and Saradha Studios was established to commemorate the success of this film by its producer A. L. Srinivasan. Likewise, SSRs film Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum, in which his co-star was Raja Sulochana,[6] was a successful film in 1958.
He had 8 children named Elangovan, Rajendrakumar, Kalaivanan, Bhagyalakshmi, Selvaraj, Ravikumar, Kannan & Lakshmi Sitara from his 3 wives including Actress C. R. Vijayakumari.
Rajendran, being a strict follower of Periyar's policy of rationalism, never acted in films based on Ithihasas and Puranas. He earned the sobriquet "Latchiya Nadigar" (Idealistic Actor) as he never acted in films against his policy.[9][10][11]
Death
Rajendran was admitted into Chennai Meenakshi hospital on 20 October 2014 to treat a lung infection. He died on 24 October 2014.[2][12]
^President Panchatcharam was a success at the box office.1959 THE HINDU 2/oct/2011
^P.R.Vasantha kumars'ilatchia selvam SSR 1987 'sironmani publications'
^Manorama in her lifetime award function said (jan 15 2008): "Those were days when even a fleeting presence on the screen was considered a huge achievement. It was Kannadasan Sir who offered the role. But actually I owe all this to S. S. Rajendran. It was he who invited me to Madras to act in the Kalaignar's (M. Karunanidhi) play Manimagudam. That play was a resounding success and I was recognised as an actress. Later, I faced the camera for the first time in an unfinished film that had Rajendran and Devika in the lead roles. Then came Maalayitta Mangai." recounts the actor.
^Rajasulochana's most successful film, according to critics and moviegoers, was "Thai Pirandhaal Vazhi Pirakkum". It was remade in Telugu as "Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu" with N. T. Rama Rao playing the lead. The film was directed by her husband, noted writer-director C. S. Rao. (4/sep/2011)memories linger Raja Sulochana, THE HINDU