Legendary Director K Balachander has died due to prolonged illness on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. He was 84 and had undergone a surgery to remove a brain tumour only a month prior. A week later, his condition quickly deteriorated and he slipped into a coma.
He directed 101 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. He was a recipient of 9 National awards and was conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in the year 2011. Padma Shri, Kalaimamani and ANR National Award are the other prestigious awards that came by his way. He is a mentor to Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Prakash Raj.
Among Mr Balachander best-known films are Aval Ora Thodar Kathai, Apoorva Raagangal, Avargal, Varumayin Niram Sigappu and 47 Natkal. He also directed Bollywood hit Ek Duuje Ke Liye starring Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri.
As Producer, He made successful films like ‘Roja’ and ‘Muthu’. He also directed ‘Rahasyam’ & ‘Marmadesam’ which were still touted to be the best suspense thrillers ever made on Television. He played a key role in Kamal Haasan’s upcoming film ‘Uttam Villian’.