Curtain Falls on Rajesh Williams: A Star Bids Adieu, Radhika Remembers

Rajesh Williams, who was well-known for his diverse roles in more than 150 Tamil and Malayalam films and television shows, passing away in Chennai on May 29 at the age of 75. Reports indicate that he faced severe breathing issues and tragically died while being taken to the hospital after experiencing low blood pressure earlier that day. Rajesh leaves behind his daughter Divya and son Deepak, who made his acting debut in 2014. His wife, Joan Sylvia Vanathirayar, sadly passed away in 2012.

 

Rajesh started his journey as a schoolteacher before stepping into the film industry with a small role in the 1974 classic Aval Oru Thodar Kathai. He gained recognition for his leading role in Kanni Paruvathile (1979) and became celebrated for his unforgettable performances in films like Thanneer Thanneer, Andha 7 Naatkal, and Achamillai Achamillai. His most recent appearance was in Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas, where he starred alongside Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif.

 

The Tamil film community, including notable figures like Radhika Sarathkumar and Rajinikanth, has expressed profound sorrow over his passing. Radhika shared, “We worked on so many films together, and I had immense respect for his vast knowledge of cinema and life. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the film industry.” Rajesh’s legacy as a cornerstone of Tamil cinema and television will continue to live on through his remarkable body of work and the cherished memories held by his colleagues and fans.

 

Source: Hindustan Times, Telegraph India