ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Director Bharathan dead

Noted south Indian film director Bharatan died at a private hospital in Madras following prolonged illness. He was 50 and is survived by his actress wife Lalitha, a son and a daughter.

He was suffering from liver cirrhosis.

Bharathan had directed over 50 Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, with such runaway hits like Thevar Magan (Tamil) and Vaishali and Amaram (both Malayalam).

Starting his career as a painter and moulder, he later became an art director. His first directorial venture was Prayanam (1974).

His films, noted for their artistic quality, have won national and several state awards. Thevar Magan, a Kamal Hasan starrer, also earned him the best director award for regional films.

Friends and admirers bade a tearful farewell to Bharathan when his embalmed body was taken this afternoon to Vadakkanchery near Trichur for cremation tomorrow.

Actors Mohanlal, Mammootty, directors Hariharan and K S Sethumadhavan, film producers Mo Joseph and Kunjumon were among those who went to Bharathan's Kalaignar Nagar in Madras residence to pay their last respects.

Tell us what you think of this report