Tamil Actor Daniel Balaji Passes Away At 48

Daniel Balaji Passes Away: The Tamil industry woke to one of the most heartbreaking news this morning as renowned actor Daniel Balaji passed away on Friday (March 29) night in Chennai. According to media reports, Daniel Balaji passed away due to a heart attack and breathed his last in a private hospital in Chennai. The media reports suggested that Daniel Balaji was rushed to hospital after he complained of chest pain.

Reportedly, Daniel Balaji died during the treatment. He was 48. The news of his sudden demise has sent a wave of shock and grief across the industry and the social media is abuzz with tweets and post mourning his demise. Film analyst Siddarth Srinivas wrote, "RIP #DanielBalaji, the talented actor passed away an hour ago due to a heart attack. May his soul rest in peace. His voice and his performance in Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu, Polladhavan will never be forgotten"

On the other hand, director Mohan Raja tweeted, "Such a Sad news. He Was an inspiration for me to join film institute. A very good friend. Miss working with him. May his soul rest in peace. #RipDanielbalaji" along with broken heart emoticons.

Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan also took to social media and mourned Daniel Balaji's demise. He tweeted, "தம்பி டேனியல் பாலாஜியின் திடீர் மரணம் அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது. இளவயது மரணங்களின் வேதனை பெரிது. பாலாஜியின் குடும்பத்தாருக்கும் நண்பர்களுக்கும் ரசிகர்களுக்கும் எனது ஆறுதல்களைத் தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். கண் தானம் செய்ததனால் மறைந்த பின்னும் அவர் வாழ்வார். ஒளியை கொடையளித்துச் சென்றிருக்கும் பாலாஜிக்கு என் அஞ்சலி. (The sudden death of brother Daniel Balaji is shocking. The agony of young deaths is great. My condolences to Balaji's family, friends and fans. He will live even after his death by donating his eyes. My tribute to Balaji who has given light.)"

For the uninitiated, Daniel Balaji started his career with Kamal Haasan's unfinished dream project Marudhunayagam wherein he worked as a unit production manager. Later he ventured into television and got his share of fame with Radikaa Sarathkumar's Chithhi and got the screen name Daniel Balaji courtesy of his character.

Daniel Balaji made his debut in Tamil film industry with 2022 release April Madhathil. However, it was Suriya-Hyotika and Gautham Menon's Kaakha Kaakha which made him a household name. Daniel Balaji was also seen playing the role of an antagonist in Vetri Maaran's Polladhavan and also featured in movies like Ajit's Yennai Arindhaal, Thalapathy Vijay's Bairavaa & Bigil, Dhanush's Vada Chennai etc. He was last seen in Ariyavan.