S. S. Rajendran
Sedapatti Suryanarayana Rajendran, also known by his initials SSR (January 1928 – 24 October 2014), was an Indian actor, director, producer and politician who worked in Tamil theatre and cinema. Film career. Rajendran made his acting debut with the 1952 film "Parasakthi", directed by the directing duo Krishnan–Panju, with the character Gnanasekharan. He followed with "Mudhalali", "President Panchatcharam", "Pillai Kani Amudhu", "Thalai Koduthan Thambi", "Thedi Vandha Selvam", C. N. Annadurai's "Edhayum Thangum Idhayam", M. Karunanidhi's "Avan Pithana", "Poompuhar" and Modern Theatres "Kumudham". SSR acted with M. G. Ramachandran in "Raja Desingu" as Mohamed Khan and  in "Kaanji Thalaivan" as Paranjothi. He had worked in many films with Sivaji Ganesan such as "Manohara", "Rangoon Radha", "Raja Rani", "Deivapiravi", "Aalayamani", "Pachai Vilakku", "Pazhani", "Kungumam", "Santhi" and "Kai Kodutha Dheivam". Other notable films were "Sorgavasal", "Ammaiyappan", "Ratha Kanneer", "Kula Dheivam", "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum", "Kalyanikku Kalyanam", "Sivagangai Seemai", also in AVM's "Kaakum Karangal", "Poomalai" and K. Balachander's "Ethiroli". His drama company "SSR Nadaka Mandram" staged plays including"Or Iravu" (C. N. Annadurai), "Manimagudam" (M. Karunanidhi) and "Thenpaandi Veeran" (P. Nedumaran). He introduced and gave opportunities to actress Manorama. Director K. S. Gopalakrishnan was introduced from his film  Saradha (a silver jubilee hit) and "Saradha Studios" was established to commemorate the success of this film by its producer A. L. Srinivasan. Likewise, SSRs film "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum", in which his co-star was Raja Sulochana, was a successful film in 1958. Personal life. He had 8 children named Elangovan, Rajendrakumar, Kalaivanan, Bhagyalakshmi, Selvaraj & others. Political life. He joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and became the first elected member of a legislative assembly among actors in India when he was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a DMK candidate Theni (State Assembly Constituency) in  1962 Madras State legislative assembly election. Subsequently, he was elected as a member (MP) of Rajya Sabha. He joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and was elected from Andipatti constituency in the 1980 assembly election. Later, he became a critic of M. Karunanidhi and of the DMK's family policies. Personal interests. Rajendran, being a strict follower of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's policy of rationalism, never acted in films based on Ithihasas and Puranas. He earned the sobriquet "Latchiya Nadigar" (Idealistic Actor) as he never acted in films against his policy. Death. Rajendran was admitted into  Chennai Meenakshi hospital on 20 October 2014 to treat a lung infection. He died on 24 October 2014.