The many shades of Cho Ramaswamy -actor, writer and political advisor

Who can be an actor, a journalist, a satirist, a comedian, a playwright, an editor, a filmwriter, a director, a politician and a pundit, all at once? Only Cho could.

Originally known as Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, he was fondly addressed and remembered as Cho. Here he is with Subramanian Swamy.(Express Archives) 

Cho was well known for his play Mohammed bin Tughlaq, a seminal work that was first staged in 1968.(Express Archives)

Cho Ramaswamy dressed up as Tuglaq for the play by the same name.(Express Archives)

DMK President and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi with Cho Ramaswamy (left) and BJP President L K Advani.(Express Archives)

Thuglak Editor Cho S Ramaswamy speaks during anniversary function of the magazine back in 2012.(P Jawahar| EPS)

Throughout his 50-year career, Cho's unbaised views and his audacity to question the system was what made him popular amidst literary circles.(EPS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Cho Ramaswamy at his home in Raja Annamalaipuram in August 2015 , Modi took an unscheduled departure from his program to visit the political stalwart .(EPS)

Cho played a major role in introducing satire about socio-political issues, to the Tamil audience, through his magazine. (Express photo)

Cho and Jayalalithaa have worked together in 19 films and also been part of theater together. In later years, Cho advised both MGR and Jayalalithaa. The late CM called on her advisor in 2015.(DIPR)

Thuglak Editor Cho Ramaswamy (Centre) seen during the inaugural function of Hindu Spiritual Service Fair 2009 (EPS)