Biography

Tirunelveli S. Balaiah (August 22, 1914 – July 22, 1972) was a Tamil film actor best known for playing supporting roles in the Tamil film industry. He was introduced to the cine field by directorEllis R. Dungan in Sathi Leelavathi (1936), along with MGR, N.S.Krishnan and M.K. Radha. He was one of the very few actors who excelled as a villain, as well as in character roles and comic roles. Among his villain roles, Ambikapathy (1937), Madurai Veeran (1956), Hello Mr. Zamindar, andThiruvilayadal (1965) were classics. Balaiah also excelled in comedy roles in movies such asKavalai Illatha Manithan (1960), Kaadhalika Neramillai (1964), Bama Vijayam (1967) and Thillana Mohanambal (1968). Actor Sivaji Ganesan had once mentioned that Balaiah was his most admired actor.

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