Popular South Indian actor Daniel Balaji dies aged 48

CHENNAI: Popular Tamil film actor Daniel Balaji passed away Saturday morning. He was 48. After experiencing chest pain on Friday night, Balaji was rushed to a hospital in Kottivakam, Chennai but his life couldn't be saved. The final rites will be held at his residence on Saturday.

Daniel Balaji first made his entry into the cinema world as Unit Production Manager in actor Kamal Hassan’s unreleased movie 'Marudhanayagam'. Balaji later found his way into Tamil serials and made a mark playing a slew of remarkable roles, which eventually caught the attention of prominent filmmakers.

In 2006, Balaji got his first major break in Kamal Hassan’s ‘Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu’ where he played the antagonist. Balaji also jumped borders to try his luck in Malayalam industry with Mammootty's movie ‘Black’, but his most acclaimed character remains Shiva in Mammmotty’s ‘Daddy Cool’.