He was a BSc graduate from Madras University whereas the others, having taken to the stage in childhood, learnt from the school of life. Unlike them Gemini had tertiary qualifications. Both MGR and Sivaji had learnt the ropes as part of the Madurai Boys Company drama group. Unlike MGR and Sivaji, he had no professional experience as a stage actor. Gemini however was the odd man out among the top three. They ruled the roost in “Kollywood” as the Tamil Nadu film industry is referred to in lighter vein. The top thespian trinity of that vintage in Tamil cinema were Sivaji, MGR and Gemini. Rajendran, strove valiantly to make this trio a quartet but failed. Ramachandran (MGR) and Gemini Ganesan comprised the triumvirate that dominated Tamil movies from the fifties to the seventies of the 20th century. Soon the Tamil film industry began distinguishing between the two Ganesans by calling one Sivaji and the other Gemini. By a coincidence his contemporary and namesake Sivaji Ganesan too got the prefix “Sivaji” due to his acting as the Mahratta King in a drama written by former DMK Chief Minister C.N. The prefix “Gemini” came into being because prior to acting Ganesan had worked as casting director at the prestigious Gemini studios in Tamil Nadu. As his screen career blossomed, the actor became known as “Gemini” Ganesan. In some of the earlier films in which Ramaswami Ganesan acted, the credits show him only as R.G. Soon he became known as Ramaswami Ganesan or R. His given name at birth was Ganapathi Subramania Sarma but was generally called Ganesan. His father was Ramaswami and mother Gengamma. Gemini Ganesan hailed from a Brahmin family. When the magazine wanted more details, Gemini declined to elaborate saying, “Gentlemen don’t tell!” He himself admitted to his numerous affairs with other married women to an Indian magazine. While the evergreen actor Gemini crooned his way into the hearts of many lovely heroines on screen, the off-screen hero in real life had four wives plus several liaisons with attractive women. Interestingly his on-screen and off-screen persona got intertwined in this respect. It was this which earned him the sobriquet “Kaadhal Mannan”. Though he played a number of diverse roles he made his mark as a lover on screen. In a career spanning more than five decades Gemini Ganesan made his mark in Tamil films as the romantic hero par excellence. Gemini Ganesan has visited Sri Lanka several times and had many good friends in the island. I shall rely upon some of these writings as this week’s ‘Spotlight’ focuses upon “Kaadhal Mannan” Gemini Ganesan. I have written about him earlier when he passed away 10 years ago. I am of course referring to the actor Gemini Ganesan who is no more now. In fact he was dubbed “Kaadhal Mannan,” meaning ‘King of Romantic Love’. However, her comment about Tony struck a chord in my memory about another actor in Tamil cinema who was also regarded widely as the greatest romantic lover. Malani Fonseka’s description of Tony Ranasinghe as most romantic lover of the Sinhala screen will certainly be endorsed by many. The queen of Sinhala cinema who has acted in about 40 films with him said of Tony Ranasinghe “I find him the most romantic lover we’ve had in our films.” In writing last week about legendary film actor Tony Ranasinghe, I referred to the comment by Malani Fonseka about Tony being the greatest romantic lover in Sinhala films.
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