Gemini Ganesan was a well-known South Indian star. He was called `kadhal mannan` (king of love) for the romantic roles that he essayed.Gemini Ganesan was born on 17 November 1920.
His first film was Miss Malini. This was followed by Chakravarthi where he played Lord Krishna. However it was not before 1953 that people noticed him. Strangely it was in a role of a villain in the film Thai Ullam that he received recognition from the masses. In 1954 he appeared in the role of hero in Manampol Mangalyam. He was cast opposite Savithri whom he later married. He was out and out a romantic hero. Ganesan was one of the "Big Three" of Tamil cinema; the other two were M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan.
Fondly remembered as Kadhal Mannan (King of Romance) amongst his fans, Gemini Ganesan had acted in several commercial hit flicks in his prime (1950s-1970s). He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971.
He worked with many established heroines such as Savithri, Anjalidevi, Banumathi, Padmini, Saroja Devi, former Rajya Sabha member Vajayanthimala, "Sowcar" Janaki, Vijaya, Devika, and Jayalalitha.
In a later stage of his career he swiftly shifted to character roles. Some of the popular roles in this genre are Avvai Shanmughi (1996) he portrayed the role of an old man longing for an old maid. He has also been part of television industry at a later stage. To put it briefly he has acted in over 200 films, including a few in
Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Gemini Ganesan passed away on 22 March 2005. He was death rites were done with full state honours.
Some of the popular films of Gemini Ganesan are as follows:
| Kanavane Kankanda Deivam |
Konjum Salangai |
Aindhu laksham |
Mugaraasi |
| Manalane Mangaiyin Baakyam |
Sumaithangi |
Avalukkendru ore manam |
Bhagyalakshmi |
| Yaar Paiyan |
Iru Kodugal |
Velli vizha |
Seetha |
| Vanjikottai Vaaliban |
Naan Avan Illai |
Kaviya Thalaivi |
Poojaikku vandha malar |
| Maya Bazar |
Punnagai |
Thamarai Nenjam |
Pathi bakthi |
| Kalyana Parisu |
Poova Thalaiya |
Unakkaga naan |
Maaman magal |
| Kalathur Kannamma |
Santhi Nilayam |
Ezhai pangalan |
Sowbhagyavathi |
| Parthiban Kanavu |
Vaazhkai Padagu |
Saraswathi sabatham |
Kuzhandhai Ullam |
| Pasamalar |
Ramu |
Meenda sorgam |
Panithirai |
| Paava Mannippu |
Missiamma |
Avvai Shanmugi |
Pandhayam |
| Parthal Pasi Theerum |
School Master |
Panama pasama |
Kaathirundha kangal |
| Avvaiyyar |
Bandha pasam |
Unnal mudiyum thambi |
Then Mazhai |
| Then Nilavu |
Kairasi |
Kandan karunai |
|
| Aadi Perukku |
Sangamam |
Karpagam |
|
