CHENNAI: Actor Gandhimathi passed away on Friday morning in Chennai after a long illness. She was 65-years old and said to have been diagnosed with cancer. Gandhimathi known for her dialogue delivery had acted in more than 300 films.
Gandhimathi’s film journey began as a heroine in the 1960s, but later she played the role of sister and mother in the 1980s and 1990s.
After a heart surgery in 2000, she did not accept many roles, and one of her best remembered character was in the Kamal Haasan film — 'Virumaandi'. Gandhimathi began her career as a stage artiste as part of SV Sahasranamam’s Seva Stage, where she played the lead role. Her performance ear-ned her a break in films in 1966 through the critically acclaimed Jayakanthan film, 'Yarukkaaga Azhudhaan'.
Her most popular role arrived a decade later in 1977 in the film 'Pathinaaru Vayathiniley', where she played the role of Kuruvamma. Her other popular flicks include 'Savaale Samaali' with Sivaji Ganesan (1971), 'Sirithu Vaazha Vendum' (1974) with MGR and 'Muthu' (1995) with Rajinikanth, apart from 'Man Vaasanai' (1983), 'Karakaattakaaran' (1989), 'Walter Vetrivel' (1994) and 'Dasarathan' (1993).
Gandhimathi, who has donned several mother roles, is a recipient of the Kalaimaamani award. She recently acted in TV serial 'Pondaati Thevai'.
Actors Sarath Kumar, Radhika, Vijaykanth, T P Gajendran, Senthil and Goundermani paid their tributes by visiting her home in Vadapalani where her body was kept before cremation Friday evening. Gandhimathi, who never married, is survived by her adopted children Deenadhayaalan and Balasubramanian.