Legendary Director J Mahendran, dies aged 79
Veteran Tamil film director J Mahendran died in Chennai on Tuesday morning. He was 79.The director’s son John Mahendran tweeted announcing his deaath: “Director Mahendran passed away this morning.”Mahendran was undergoing treatment in Apollo Hospitals. He was rushed to the ICU last week after a dialysis session and had been on ventilator.Family sources said the cremation would be held at 5.00pm.
Mahendran, who started his career as a writer in the 60s, directed 12 films, including “Uthiri Pookkal” “Nenjathai Killathey”,”Johnny” and “Kai Kodukum Kai“. He was instrumental in shaping superstar Rajinikanth’s career in many ways by giving him memorable roles in films like “Johnny” and “Mullum Malarum.”
Of late, the veteran director moved to acting and did roles of the antagonist in actor Vijay’s Theri and Rajinikanth’s “Petta”. He was part of the BOFTA film school where he headed the screenplay writing and direction course.
The South Indian Film Fraternity were tweeting about the director’s demise,while Director Mahendran’s body was kept in his residence at Kolathur for public homage. Celebrities are on arrival to pay homage to the Master Piece Soul for the One Last Time..!! #RIPMahendranSir
DIRECTOR MAHENDRAN PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING. pic.twitter.com/usCPXX7Qsr
— Dir.JohnMahendran (@johnroshan) April 2, 2019
