Kamal Haasan pays tribute to Sivaji Ganesan

Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to pay tribute to the legendary Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan on the latter's 20th death anniversary. Kamal shared pictures with Sivaji from the sets of Paarthal Pasi Theerum (1962) and Thevar Magan (1992). 

"Today is the memorial day of Sivaji Ganesan, who has set a milestone for film acting. As long as there is a film running on some theatre screen, the memories of Nadigar Thilagam will linger in the hearts of Tamilians," he wrote.

The reverence Kamal Haasan had for Sivaji Ganesan is well known. The two shared a good rapport, and have also acted together in Naam Pirandha Mann (1977). They also played cameos together in films like Uruvangal Maralam (1983) and Natchathiram (1980). 

Kamal Haasan's Thevar Magan, which was released about three decades ago, is still known for the father-son chemistry of the two actors, and some of its scenes are still part of pop culture. 

A well-known theatre actor Sivaji Ganesan made his film debut at the age of 24 in 1952 with the film Parasakthi. He went on to become one of the most celebrated Indian actors, and won two National and several state awards. He was also the first Indian actor to be made Chevalier of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. 

A Dadasaheb Phalke award recipient, Sivaji also won Padma Bhushan, the third-highest Civilian Award of the Indian government in 1984. Over a career that spanned five decades, he acted in about 288 films. He breathed his last in 2001 at the age of 72.