Veteran Tamil director and producer K S Gopalakrishnan passed away at the age of 86 at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday. He was suffering from respiratory problems.
"He had phlegm and was admitted to a private hospital. He passed away tonight (Saturday night)," Gopalakrishnan's son K S G Venkatesh told PTI.
The family will perform his last rites on Sunday. He is survived by six sons. His wife had died earlier.
Gopalakrishnan was known for making films with social and devotional themes, and introducing top yesteryear stars. He has worked with Gemini Ganeshan, Sivaji Ganeshan, K R Vijaya, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and many other top stars.
The yesteryear filmmaker was also a noted lyricist, story and dialogue writer. The super hit yesteryear song "Unnazhagai Kanniyargala" from the film "Uttama Puthiran" was penned by him.
He was also the lyricist for Tamil films "Amaradeepam", "Deiva Piravi" and "Padikkadha Pannaiyar". He wrote dialogues for the films "Padikkadha Medhai", "Annai", "Naan Kanda Sorgam" and "Per Sollum Annai".
His directorials include "Deivathin Deivam", "Pesum Deivam", "Karpagam", "Chitthi", "Panama Pasama" and "Kurathi Magan". He has both written and directed successful films like "Vanthale Maharasi", "Saradha", "Gunama", and "Adukku Malli".
