Tamil director-producer Muktha Srinivasan dies at 88

Director-producer Muktha Srinivas died on Tuesday in Chennai. Aged 88, he reportedly suffered from various health issues. The film fraternity has been paying tribute to the filmmaker on social media. Producer Dhananjayan Govind wrote, “Very sad to hear the passing away of one of the oldest & passionate Director & Producer Muktha V. Srinivasan sir, who produced films like #Nayagan #Polladhavan ...he was the one who pioneered small budget films like #Mudhalali & made it a huge hit. Rest in peace the great man.”

The director debuted with Mudhalaali in 1958 starring SS Rajendran and Valli and won a National Award for this film. He then went on to work in more than 50 projects, out of which 11 films had Shivaji Ganesan. Some of the unforgettable ones being Andhaman Kadhali, Imayam, and Iru Medhaigai. He introduced the industry’s celebrated comedian-actor Nagesh in 1959 film Thamarai Kulam and also gave superstar Rajinikanth one of his biggest hit films, Polladhavanl. He is also said to have introduced lyricist Vaali to the film industry.

Suryagandhi starring Muthuraman and former chief minister J Jayalalitha was one his best works and the director had also said in several interviews that Jayalalitha had given one of her best performances in the film.

The filmmaker’s acclaimed project also includes Mani Ratnam’s cult classic Nayagan starring Kamal Haasan. According to a report in Hindu, Srinivasan had founded the Tamil Film Producers Council at the insistence of former chief minister MG Ramachandran.

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