Kovai Senthil
Character artist Kovai Senthil aka Kumaraswamy, who was also seen in comedy roles, passed away on September 9 morning. Aged 74, he succumbed to age-related ailments and breathed his last in Vadavalli, Coimbatore.
His mortal remains were cremated in Coimbatore. Kovai Senthil's death has come across as a shock to many in the Tamil film industry and his immediate family.
Nadigar Sangam has extended their condolences to Kovai Senthil's family and friends. In a press statement, the Sangam said, "The sudden demise of Kovai Senthil has shocked us. Along with his family, South Indian Artistes Association would pray for the soul to rest in peace."
Kovai Senthil was a regular in director K Bhagyaraj's films. Since they both hailed from the same district, the director used to make it a point to give him a role in each of his films.
He was known for his roles in Oru Kai Osai, Idhu Namma Aalu, Aararo Aariraro, En Rathathin Rathame, Avasara Police 100, Tamizh Padam, Avvai Shanmugi, Padaiyappa and Goa.
Senthil made his screen debut in 1980 with K Bhagyaraj’s Oru Kai Osai. In a career spanning nearly 40 years, he acted in more than 200 films. A regular in director Vikraman’s movies, he shared screen space with several leading stars of the film industry, including Superstar Rajinikanth in Padaiyappa (1999) and Kamal Haasan in Avvai Shanmugi (1996). He is also known for films like Namma Aalu, Chinna Kuyil Paduthu and Goa among others.
He was last seen in director CS Amudhan’s spoof movie Thamizh Padam, which came out in 2010. In a tweet, Amudhan recalled working with Kovai Senthil in the film. The director said the actor managed to get a long dialogue in a single take. “Oh yes… :( I remember we were under pressure to finish that day’s shoot at 6pm & he got that long dialogue in one take much to our relief. #RIP(sic),” he tweeted.
