The actor who redefined romance in Kollywood
Neeraja.Ramesh@timesgroup.com 23.03.2018
Ganapathi Subramania Sarma alias Gemini Ganesan or ‘Kaadhal Mannan’ (king of romance) was a genius who knew he had to be very unlike MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan, to succeed in films. He had no stage background, too.
Sandwiched between giants of his time, he carved out a niche for himself by doing gentle, breezy romantic roles — pitted against the action of MGR, and grandstanding dialogues of Sivaji Ganesan. A graduate with an easy-go attitude, Gemini had a brief stint as a chemistry lecturer at Madras Christian College before joining Gemini Studio as a production manager. Bucking the trend, he entered the film world with little training or backing. A director’s actor, Gemini created a unique spot in the tinsel world and drew women fans like a magnet. TOI remembers the romantic hero on his 13th death anniversary (March 22).
Daughter Kamala Selvaraj proudly says she and her siblings were gifted to a have a forward-looking father like him. “He was such a simple man with brilliant thoughts. When I wanted to learn driving at the age of 14, he took me to Island Grounds in Chennai and made me drive a Ford in two days, which I have kept till date. Though he had many wives, he never shied away from responsibilities. As regards to his films, he always did his own stunt scenes,” she says.
Envied for the ‘king of romance’ tag, that remained stuck to him even when he did ‘Avvai Shanmugi’ with Kamal Haasan, when he was 76, Gemini was paired with every top heroine of his time. Asked about her experience, actor Saroja Devi says Gemini respected, taught and was friendly with his co-stars. “When I lost my husband at an early age, he wept and referred to my movie ‘Aadi Perukku’ saying my life too had become like the character I played in that movie — a young widow who struggles to battle life,” says Saroja Devi.
Film historian Vamanan says Gemini was easy-going, mingled well with people and had great patience, which endeared him to top directors. “K Balachander never fancied big stars who threw tantrums, but he cast Gemini repeatedly because of his attitude. The duo gave hits like ‘Iru Kodugal,’ Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, ‘Naan Avanillai’ and ‘Velli Vizha.”
Film critic Subagunarajan says Gemini had a fine off-screen equation with Sivaji Ganesan’s family and dined with them on almost every special occasion. They bonded beyond movies and Sivaji-Gemini starrers like ‘Paasa Malar’, ‘Paarthal Pasi Theerum’ and ‘Paava Mannippu’ were blockbusters.
Email your feedback to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com
Neeraja.Ramesh@timesgroup.com 23.03.2018
Ganapathi Subramania Sarma alias Gemini Ganesan or ‘Kaadhal Mannan’ (king of romance) was a genius who knew he had to be very unlike MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan, to succeed in films. He had no stage background, too.
Sandwiched between giants of his time, he carved out a niche for himself by doing gentle, breezy romantic roles — pitted against the action of MGR, and grandstanding dialogues of Sivaji Ganesan. A graduate with an easy-go attitude, Gemini had a brief stint as a chemistry lecturer at Madras Christian College before joining Gemini Studio as a production manager. Bucking the trend, he entered the film world with little training or backing. A director’s actor, Gemini created a unique spot in the tinsel world and drew women fans like a magnet. TOI remembers the romantic hero on his 13th death anniversary (March 22).
Daughter Kamala Selvaraj proudly says she and her siblings were gifted to a have a forward-looking father like him. “He was such a simple man with brilliant thoughts. When I wanted to learn driving at the age of 14, he took me to Island Grounds in Chennai and made me drive a Ford in two days, which I have kept till date. Though he had many wives, he never shied away from responsibilities. As regards to his films, he always did his own stunt scenes,” she says.
Envied for the ‘king of romance’ tag, that remained stuck to him even when he did ‘Avvai Shanmugi’ with Kamal Haasan, when he was 76, Gemini was paired with every top heroine of his time. Asked about her experience, actor Saroja Devi says Gemini respected, taught and was friendly with his co-stars. “When I lost my husband at an early age, he wept and referred to my movie ‘Aadi Perukku’ saying my life too had become like the character I played in that movie — a young widow who struggles to battle life,” says Saroja Devi.
Film historian Vamanan says Gemini was easy-going, mingled well with people and had great patience, which endeared him to top directors. “K Balachander never fancied big stars who threw tantrums, but he cast Gemini repeatedly because of his attitude. The duo gave hits like ‘Iru Kodugal,’ Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, ‘Naan Avanillai’ and ‘Velli Vizha.”
Film critic Subagunarajan says Gemini had a fine off-screen equation with Sivaji Ganesan’s family and dined with them on almost every special occasion. They bonded beyond movies and Sivaji-Gemini starrers like ‘Paasa Malar’, ‘Paarthal Pasi Theerum’ and ‘Paava Mannippu’ were blockbusters.
Email your feedback to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com 
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