Sivaji followed Annadurai when he started the DMK in 1949. He made his film debut
playing the lead role in Parasakthi (1952).The film is one of the most controversial
films in the history of Tamil Cinema, replete with assonant monologues. It owed its
success in large part to its dialogues written by Karunanidhi who used the film to
express his ideas on religion, god and priesthood. He has won several awards including
the Padma Shri in 1966, the Padma Bhushan in 1984 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his
contribution to Indian Cinema in 1997.Mostly retired and plagued by ill-health through the last few years, Sivaji took each day as it came. To quote him..."I don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow's problems are for another day."Sivaji passed away in a hospital in Chennai on July 21, 2001 following a prolonged heart ailment.
