Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Oct 31: Veteran actor Vatsala Rajagopal, known for her memorable roles in Tamil films such as Roja, Anniyan, Sathi Leelavathi and Mozhi, passed away in Chennai on Friday. She was 93.

The actor died due to age-related ailments, bringing to an end a career that spanned several decades across theatre, cinema and television.

Born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, Vatsala developed an interest in dance and theatre during her school years. In 1953, she joined the Accountant General's office as a clerk, where legendary filmmaker K Balachander was then working as a senior officer.

Her association with theatre began when she got an opportunity to perform with Rasika Ranga, a theatre group run by cartoonist Sridharan. She went on to perform in more than 450 stage plays, establishing herself as a familiar name in Tamil theatre.

Her stage performances eventually caught the attention of filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who offered her a role in his 1992 film Roja, starring Arvind Swamy and Madhoo. Vatsala played Madhoo's grandmother in the film.

Interestingly, she was around 60 years old when she received her first film opportunity. Despite entering cinema relatively late, she went on to appear in several notable films, including Winner, Pattiyal, Dhaam Dhoom and Kalyana Samayal Saadham. She was often cast in affectionate and humorous grandmother roles that became familiar to audiences.

Vatsala was also a well-known face on Tamil television, appearing in popular serials such as Chithi, Anandham, Mundhanai Mudichu and Vasantham.

She also collaborated with filmmaker Balu Mahendra in his television anthology Kadhai Neram.

Through her performances across theatre, television and cinema, Vatsala Rajagopal earned a special place among Tamil audiences and remained familiar to viewers across generations.