Ace Tamil film director Gopalakrishnan passes away

Chennai: Noted yesteryear Tamil film director-cum-lyricist and producer K S Gopalakrishnan passed away in a private hospital here tonight.

He was 86 and is survived by six sons. His wife had predeceased him.

"He had phlegm and was admitted to a private hospital. He passed away tonight," his son K S G Venkatesh told PTI.

The funeral will take place on tomorrow here, he said.

Credited for introducing top star of yesteryear actress K R Vijaya (film Karpagam 1963), Gopalakrishnan was also well-known as a lyricist and story and dialogue writer.

The super hit yesteryear song "unnazhagai kanniyargal (uthama puthiran)" was penned by him.

Interestingly Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had essayed a double role in Gopalakrishnan's directorial venture Vanthale Maharasi (1973). Saradha (1962), Kulama Gunama (1971), and Adukku Malli (1979) were among the successful films written and directed by him.

He had penned lyrics in movies like 'Edhirparaadhadhu,' 'Amaradeepam', 'Engal Veetu Mahalakshmi' and 'Uthama Puthiran' which became popular.

Gopalakrishnan had also written dialogues for movies, including 'Naan Kanda Sorgam' and 'Padikkadha Medhai'.

Among the films directed and produced by him are Deivathin Deivam (1962), Karpagam (1963), Kai Koduttha Dheivam (1964), and Ennathan Mudivu (1965). Athaimadi Methaiadi (1989) was his last directorial venture.