Sivaji Ganesan, the legendary thespian of Tamil cinema, was often compared with Marlon Brando, one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, as both were celebrated for their mastery of method acting. Yet the two had never met until 1962, when Sivaji Ganesan was invited to the United States as part of the U.S.–India Cultural Exchange Programme, reportedly after President John F. Kennedy inquired about him.
What had drawn Kennedy’s attention was Sivaji Ganesan’s unusual gift to the children of the United States — a baby elephant. Sivaji had a friend at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, and when he asked what gift from India would delight American children, the suggestion set him thinking.
“He pondered deeply. At last, he decided he would send them a baby elephant. From India, the little elephant was flown all the way to Indianapolis in the United States,” writes Dr. S.A.P. Jawahar Palaniappan, the noted cardiologist who later treated Sivaji Ganesan.
The cover of the book ‘Sivaji: My Guest in America — The Untold Story of the Legend’ by noted cardiologist Dr. S.A.P. Jawahar Palaniappan who later treated Sivaji Ganesan
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Special Arrangement
In his book Sivaji: My Guest in America — The Untold Story of the Legend, Dr. Palaniappan — son of S.A.P. Annamalai, the late editor of Kumudham — records several conversations and incidents from Sivaji Ganesan’s visit. During the trip, Sivaji was treated as a state guest, assigned two officials to assist him, and given a daily allowance of $160, a considerable sum at the time.
Sivaji Ganesan is being greeted by Charles Lanier, president of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce at Albuquerque airport on June 2, 1962
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The Hindu Archives
Sivaji Ganesan meets Marlon Brando
One of the most memorable moments of the visit came when Sivaji Ganesan met Marlon Brando on the sets of the film The Ugly American. The two actors spoke at length about cinema and India. A curious Sivaji asked Brando whether he had watched any Indian films.
“I’ve seen Satyajit Ray’s films,” Brando replied. “They show India’s poverty — children playing in gutters with pigs, women pushed into prostitution by hardship. I was heartbroken. Is India really like that?”
Quietly but firmly, Sivaji responded: “In America, wealth surrounds you. India’s poverty may appear to you as a kind of spectacle. But remember — what you see in those films is only one face of India, not the whole. You cannot judge an entire nation from that alone.”
Sivaji Ganesan (left) was welcomed by Marlon Brando (centre) at Universal International Studios during Ganesan’s visit to Hollywood. Dennis H. Kux, American Consul in Madras, who accompanied Sivaji Ganesan on his tour of the USA, is also seen.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
He then made a striking point. “I am an actor, and so are you. Look at me — the way I dress, the way I speak, the way I carry myself. Do you find anything lacking? Now tell me again: what is your opinion of India?”
Brando did not reply. Instead, he lifted his cup of coffee and took a slow sip. Sivaji would later say with pride that though Brando did not answer, he believed the Hollywood star had reconsidered his views about India that day. Sivaji Ganesan had recalled these incidents and anecdotes during a dinner at Dr. Jawahar Palaniappan’s residence which was attended by Mayor of Colombus Greg Lashutka, who presented him the key to the city, and the Mayor of Mount Vernon.
Dr. Jawahar Palaniappan records that many of these recollections were narrated to him directly by Sivaji Ganesan during his stay as his guest in the United States. The cardiologist would later successfully treat Sivaji with modern medicines, avoiding the surgery that had earlier been suggested by a French doctor.
Sivaji Ganesan is at Telegraph Hill, California during his two-month tour of the USA. With him are two Indian students who recognised and greeted him. Also seen is V.E. Chetty of Madras, who accompanied him.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
Sivaji and Hollywood action movies
Despite his reputation for portraying intense and serious roles in Tamil cinema, Sivaji Ganesan had a surprisingly playful side when it came to watching films. He was particularly fond of Hollywood action movies.
When Dr. Palaniappan — who had already collected more than 200 DVDs — asked Sivaji what he would like to watch, the reply came instantly: an action film.
“He watched those Hollywood action films with joyous enthusiasm. During the first scenes, he would sway his hand, move his head and exclaim: ‘That is it! Hit him again — one more punch!’ He became one with the film. That day, I discovered a new, playful side of Sivaji,” writes Dr. Palaniappan.
Sivaji Ganesan strolls along Broadway during a sight-seeing tour of New York City, on April 18, 1962.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
Among the actors he particularly admired were Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery and, of course, Marlon Brando — the very star with whom he had once shared a memorable conversation about India.
Dr. Palaniappan also arranged an interview for the local daily The Columbus Dispatch, introducing Sivaji as the “Marlon Brando of South Indian cinema.” The newspaper carried an impressive full-page feature on him, complete with colour photographs.
Favourite actor of Sivaji’s wife
Dr. Palaniappan’s book does not confine itself to Sivaji Ganesan’s visit to the United States and his stay at his residence. It extends into a biographical narrative, revealing several little-known details about the actor.
Sivaji Ganesan may have been a towering figure in cinema, but during their stay in the United States, his wife, Kamala, told Dr. Palaniappan’s mother that her favourite actor was none other than M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).
Sivaji Ganesan with his wife Kamala when he was presented the ‘Dada Saheb Phalke Award’ in New Delhi on July 21, 1997
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
When Sivaji turned his head towards the conversation, Kamala quickly clarified: “You have your own unique style in acting. Just like that, MGR has his own style. I happen to like his style — that is all I meant. But you are the Nadigar Thilagam. There is no second opinion about that.”
Though the fans of Sivaji and MGR often clashed over the merits of their films, the two actors — friends from their theatre days — shared a deep bond. When MGR was undergoing treatment in the United States, he wished to see Sivaji Ganesan and visited him along with his wife. “Seeing him made me deeply happy — but I could not control my tears,” the book recalls Sivaji Ganesan as saying.
Another actor whom Sivaji admired greatly was M.R. Radha, whom he affectionately called Radha Anna (elder brother). “Radha Anna was not only a lion in acting. He knew every job in the theatre — even electrical work,” Sivaji would often say.
Published – March 11, 2026 06:00 am IST
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