CHENNAI: Actor Murali’s demise on Wednesday morning has left the Tamil film industry in a state of complete shock. All shooting schedules have been cancelled as a mark of respect for the 46-year-old actor, who is also an executive committee member of the South Indian Film Artistes Association.
Actor Rajinikanth had earlier during the day paid homage to the departed actor and consoled Murali’s family members. Other actors who visited his house, include actors Sarath Kumar, Arjun, Sivakumar, Suriya, Mohan, Radhikaa, Parthipan, Nasser, Ponvannan, Radha, Sneha, Revathy, Saranya, Chinni Jayanth, Chandrasekar, directors Cheran, Thankar Bachan, Pavithran, producers Rama Narayan, Khaja Moideen, Sivasakthi Pandiyan and Sathyajothi Thyagarajan.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Murali’s house, actor Sivakumar called Murali an evergreen actor. “Actor Murali’s son Atharva had only recently debuted as an actor. His daughter’s wedding has been slated for May next, while the engagement was conducted only a few days ago. It is unfortunate that his demise happened so early and at this juncture.” Filmmaker-actor Cheran, who has worked with the actor in films Porkalam, Desiya Geetham and Vetri Kodi Kattu, called Murali a good-hearted person.
MLA SVe Shekher, for whom actor Murali campaigned for in the 2006 Assembly elections, told Express that Murali was a down-to-earth person who would not complain about anything.
“He was a lover of dogs and had 10 at home. Murali was also a good dancer and an actor whose face sparkled with ‘nativity’,” he said. S Ve Shekher had also acted in Murali’s recent 2009 Enga Raasi Nalla Raasi.
Though he was never the top most actor in the industry, he had his share of hits and had worked with most of the celebrities like Sivaji Ganesan, Sarath Kumar, Suriya, Parthipan, Prabhu Deva and directors Mani Ratnam, Bharathiraja and Cheran.
His career bests include Pudhu Vasantham, a cult film by Vikraman in 1989 on friendship, Idhayam, a love story by Kathir in 1991, apart from Vetri Kodi Kattu, Porkkalam, Sundara Travels and Anandham.
Son of Kannada director Siddalingaia, Murali was introduced in Tamil cinema through the film Poovilangu, produced by K Balachander. He was the hero of Mani Ratnam’s Tamil directorial debut, Pagal Nilavu.
His latest film Kavasam is slated for release this month and he had a cameo role in the now running Baana Kathadi, in which his son Atharva made his film debut.