T. C. Balaji, better known as Daniel Balaji was an Indian actor, who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry and in some Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films. After beginning his career in 1998 as a unit production manager on the set of Kamal Haasan's unreleased Marudhanayagam, he acted in television serials before breaking into the film industry. His first major role was in Kaakha Kaakha (2003) as a police officer alongside Suriya, who played the leading role. Balaji also had gained recognition for his performance as the antagonist in the Dhanush-starrer Polladhavan (2007), which was a success with critics and audiences alike.