Actor Daniel Balaji, 48, dies of heart attack in Chennai. Kamal Haasan reacts

Daniel Balaji began his career working as a unit production manager in Kamal Haasan's unfinished dream project, Marudhunayagam. (Image credit: Twitter/@Karthik_Balasub).

Actor Daniel Balaji, of "Vettaiyadu Vilayadu" and "Kaakha Kaakha" fame, died of a heart attack in Chennai on Friday night. He was 48.

The actor was rushed to a hospital in the city after he complained of chest pain and died, despite receiving treatment. A report in India Today said that Balaji's body was taken to his house in Purasaiwalkam area of the city for final rites.

Director Mohan Raja paid tribute to the actor and said that he inspired him to join the film institute.

Such a Sad news He Was an inspiration for me to join film institute A very good friend Miss working with him May his soul rest in peace #RipDanielbalajihttps://t.co/TV348BiUNJ

— Mohan Raja (@jayam_mohanraja) March 29, 2024

Balaji began his career working as a unit production manager in Kamal Haasan's unfinished dream project "Marudhunayagam". However, it was his performance as an IPS officer in the 2003 Suriya-starrer "Kaakha Kaakha" that propelled him to fame and brought him into the limelight among the film fraternity, critics and fans in the Tamil film industry.

Apart from acting in Tamil movies, Balaji also acted in a few Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu movies. Balaji also forayed into television with his role in Radikaa Sarathkumar's "Chithhi" and his portrayal of Daniel in the series, earned him the screen name Daniel Balaji.

The news of Balaji's death comes only a few months after the industry lost Vijayakanth due to complications related to pneumonia and testing positive for COVID-19.

Actor Kamal Haasan reacted to Balaji's death on Saturday and offered his condolences at the passing away of the actor.

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) March 30, 2024 "The sudden death of brother Daniel Balaji is shocking. The agony of young deaths is great. My condolences to Balaji's family, friends and fans. He will live even after his death by donating his eyes. My tribute to Balaji who has given light," Haasan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Haasan and Balaji's 2006 starrer "Vettaiyadu Vilayadu" had emerged as a box office success.