Chennai, Dec 23: Legendary film director, screenwriter and producer Kailasam Balachander, known for introducing icons such as Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan passed away on Tuesday due to prolonged illness. He was 84.
Popularly known as K. Balachander, he won critical and commercial acclaim for his sensitive themes and hard-hitting films across the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner was undergoing treatment at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. He is survived by his wife Rajam, two sons and a daughter.
In a career spanning more than 45 years and close to 100 films, Balachander won at least nine National Film Awards and multiple Filmfare Awards. He was also instrumental in introducing and honing talents such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Saritha, Prakash Raj and Vivek.
Some of his famous films include Aval Oru Thodarkadhai, Apoorva Raagangal, Avargal, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Varumayin Niram Sigappu, Ethir Neechal, Thillu Mullu, Sindhu Bhairavi and Arangetram.