Tuesday, March 22 2005 10:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: "Gemini" Ganesan, a popular South Indian film actor of yesteryear, died at his residence in Chennai in the wee hours today (Mar 22, 2005) after prolonged illness.

Ganesan, 84, is survived by wife T R Alamelu (Bobji), seven daughters and a son. Popular Hindi actress Rekha is one of his daughters. Ji Ji, another daughter, has also acted in a couple of Tamil films.

He had been ailing since November 2004 and passed away peacefully at 1.15 hrs (IST), his family said.

Ganesan in his long film career spanning five decades had acted in all southern languages besides some in Hindi.

Fondly known as "Kadal Mannan" (King of romance), he was one of the "Big Three" of Tamil cinema of yesteryear, the other two being late M G Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan.

Several of his films were box-office hits during his heydays between 1950 and 1970 and he paired with then top heroines such as Saroja Devi, Vaijayanthi Mala, "Sowkar" Janaki, Devika and Savithri, whom he married later. He had also combined with Sivaji Ganesan in several films.

Memorable among his hit films are "Vanjikottai Valiban", "Kalyana Parisu", "Pasamalar", "Iru Kodugal" and "Then Nilavu".