(This article is authored by Alar)

The Tamil film industry is mourning the loss of one of its finest actors and comedians, RS Shivaji, who breathed his last in Chennai on Saturday morning. He was 66 years old and had been suffering from a kidney ailment for some time.

Shivaji was born into a family of film personalities. His father, MR Santhanam, was a producer and his brother, Santhana Bharathi, is a director and actor. Shivaji made his debut as a child artist in the 1967 film Paneer Pushpangalvn 1981.

He went on to act in over 100 films, mostly in supporting roles. He was known for his impeccable comic timing and his ability to make people laugh with his expressions and dialogues. He was a regular collaborator with Kamal Haasan, appearing in many of his films such as Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Vikram, Sathya and Anbe Sivam. He also acted with other leading stars like Rajinikanth, Vijay, Ajith and Suriya.

One of his most memorable roles was in the 1989 blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal, where he played a dwarf along with Kamal Haasan and Janagaraj. The film was a huge hit and Shivaji’s comedy scenes were widely appreciated by the audience. He also received critical acclaim for his performances in films like Kolamavu Kokila and Gargi, where he showcased his versatility as an actor.

Shivaji’s last film appearance was in the Yogi Babu-starrer Lucky Man, which was released last Friday. The film is a comedy thriller and Shivaji played a pivotal role in it. His fans and admirers were happy to see him on the big screen after a long gap.

Shivaji’s demise has left a void in the Tamil film industry, which has lost many of its stalwarts in recent times. He is survived by his wife and two sons. His funeral will be held today at 4 pm at the Besant Nagar crematorium.