Chennai: Veteran film and TV actor Bala Singh passed away early on Wednesday morning. Bala Singh was admitted to a private city hospital for food poisoning and was undergoing treatment for the last few days. He was 67.
A graduate from National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi, he began his career as a theatre artiste. He later entered the world of films through 1983 Malayalam film Malamukalile Deivam.
Though he appeared in brief roles in a few Tamil films, his major breakthrough came with the debut directorial venture of his childhood friend and ace actor Nasser titled Avatharam (1985). While Nasser essayed the lead, Bala Singh's performance as an antagonist was noticed.
Since then there was no looking back. He has acted in hundreds of Tamil films mostly as a villain or in supporting roles along with top heroes.
His notable works include Virumaandi, Pudhupettai, Saamy, Simmarasai, Dheena, Kannathil muthamittal and Indian among many other flicks. Singh was also said to be a part of Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, releasing in 2020.
The powerhouse performer was last seen in Arya's Magamuni in which he played a politician. Bala was also part of recent films in prominent roles like Karthik Subbaraj's Jigarthanda, Suriya- Selvaraghavan's NGK, Sarvam Thaala Mayam, Saamy Square and Thaana Serndha Koottam.
His popular TV mega soaps include Soolam, Nalla Neram, Rudhraveena and Aathira.
His mortal remains were kept at his house in Virugambakkam on Wednesday for his family and friends to pay their last respects. Family sources said that he would be cremated in his native place Nagercoil on Thursday.
South Indian Artistes Association said that Bala Singh’s demise is a great loss to the Tamil cinema industry.
