Veteran film director K Balachander died in Chennai after a cardiac arrest on Tuesday. He was 84 and was undergoing treatment for renal issues at a private hospital in Chennai.
He was the one who introduced superstar Rajinikanth and actor Kamal Haasan.
A Padma Shri and recipient of the Dada Saheb Phalke award, Balachander has directed and written for around hundred films in Tamil, Telegu, Kannada and Hindi.
KB, as he's fondly called, was active in theatre during his younger days. He began his career as government employee and made a debut in films when late veteran actor and former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran assigned him writing screenplay for his movie.
Called Iyakunar Sigaram (a director who has scaled the peak) Balachander is also known for his unconventional subjects and social themes. He also had his own production house "Kavithalaya".
The Tamil film industry has decided to shut down all filming activity tomorrow as a tribute to the legend.
KB's body would be placed for public homage on Wednesday. The funeral is likely to be on Thursday.
DMK Chief Karunanidhi who was among the first to pay homage to the departed film maker recollected his long association with Balachander from his student days. He said "it's an irreparable loss. But his work and the great artists he chiseled can neither be hidden nor denied".
Actor Sarath Kumar, who is also the President of Tamil Film Artists Association, said, "He's a legend, an irreparable loss . Almost all directors are his disciples. "
