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Sivaji Ganesan's Grandson Breaks into Bollywood with Debut Film
4 Nov
Summary
- Dhaarshan Ganesan, grandson of legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan, makes feature film debut
- Ganesan did not want a typical city-based debut, chose a character-oriented village film instead
- Ganesan says nepotism doesn't guarantee long-term success, work must speak for itself
In November 2025, Dhaarshan Ganesan, the grandson of legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan, is making his feature film debut with debutant director DD Balachandran's Lenin Pandiyan, co-starring Gangai Amaren. Ganesan, who has previously done theatre and ads in Mumbai, says he didn't want to take the usual route for his debut.
Instead of a typical city-based subject with songs and romance, Ganesan chose to be part of a character-oriented film set in a village. Lenin Pandiyan follows the journey of two men fighting for self-respect against a system trying to put them down. Ganesan plays a police constable and did extensive research to ensure his performance doesn't come across as superficial.
Ganesan's family had reservations about him entering the industry, but he was determined to make his own mark. He believes nepotism can't guarantee long-term success, and one's work must speak for itself. Despite the challenges, Ganesan has become more confident with every audition and is used to rejections, which he says he has to brush aside and keep improving.
Through his co-star Gangai Amaren, Ganesan also got to learn more about his own family members, including his grandfather Sivaji Ganesan, whom Amaren described as sensitive and always open to learning.
