Deepak remembers father Rajesh’s final moments: “He held my hand and kissed it”

The demise of Tamil actor Rajesh sent shockwaves through the Kollywood film industry, with fans, filmmakers, actors and friends, paying tribute to the film legend. Speaking through tears with the media at the funeral, Deepak, the son of veteran actor Rajesh, shared a deeply emotional account of his father’s final moments.

He said, “While we were bringing him down from the upper floor of our house, his oxygen levels suddenly dropped. As we placed him on the stretcher, he held my hand and kissed it."He also expressed profound pride in his father’s legacy, saying, “It makes me happy to see how much love and respect my father earned. If I can achieve even half of what he did, only then will his soul rest in peace.”Farewell from the Tamil fraternityRajesh's demise on May 29, 2025, at the age of 75 eft the Tamil film industry in mourning.

Several celebrities and political leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, paid their respects in person at his Ramapuram residence.Sudden decline in healthAccording to reports, Rajesh had recently returned from a trip to Dubai, and according to Deepak, he seemed fine. “He always took me along on trips, but this time I couldn’t go. I don’t know what he ate there. Even small things like a change in drinking water wouldn’t agree with him,” Deepak said, hinting that his health may have deteriorated due to travel-related issues.

A prolific career in cinema and beyond

A towering presence in Tamil cinema, Rajesh acted in over 150 films in multiple languages across a 45-year career. He debuted as a lead in 'Kanniparuvathile' and later transitioned into important supporting roles. He was not only an accomplished film actor but also a noted dubbing artist, writer, and television actor. He recently appeared in 'Merry Christmas' alongside Vijay Sethupathi. Additionally, Rajesh was known for hosting an astrology show on the 'Om Saravanaa Bhava' YouTube channel and served for two years as chairman of the M.G.R. Film and Television Training Institute.