Acclaimed filmmaker K Balachander, who brought in a new wave of filmmaking in Tamil cinema with bold themes and mentored talented actors like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Sridevi, died here on Tuesday.

The 84-year-old Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, who carved out a niche for himself on the national stage with memorable films like ‘Arangetram’, ‘Aval Oru Thodarkadhai’, Rajini and Haasan-starrer ‘Apoorva Raagangal’, ‘Avargal’, ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’ and ‘Aaina’, died of heart attack following a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife, son and daughter. His other son, Kailasam died on August 15 this year. A multi-lingual filmmaker, Balachander made his debut with his Tamil film Neerkumizhi (by adapting his play of the same title) in 1965.

Balachander, who was hospitalised following age related ailments on December 3, breathed his last at 7.02 pm today, hospital authorities said.

“He suffered a heart attack by 6.45 pm and he succumbed to it. His infection too had intensified. Though the fever was under control there was little that we could do given his age,” a hospital spokesperson said.

Popularly known as KB, Kailasam Balachander broke away from the staple Tamil films of that time in the early ‘70s by championing bold themes and the cause of women and downtrodden in his films and was a trend-setter.

He often courted controversies, the early one of which was portrayal of a Brahmin girl as a prostitute that shook the community to which he belonged.

Hailed as “Iyakunar Sigaram” (peak among directors), Balachander stood out for experimenting with new faces like Saritha, Sujatha, Mohan, Prakash Raj, comedian Vivek and character artiste Nazar. A tough taskmaster, he brought out the best from his actors.

He has directed films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi and has written, directed and produced more than 100 films. He has launched more than 65 actors, actresses and technicians in the Tamil film industry. His blockbusters include Aval Oru Thodarkathai, (Tamil) which was remade in Telugu, Maro Charitra (Telugu), Ek Duje Ke Liye (Hindi), and Thillu Mullu (the Tamil remake of Golmaal).

He has received several accolades including the Dadasaheb Phalke award (2010), Padmashri (1987), Kalaimamani Award (Tamil Nadu) Nandi and Golden Nandi (Andhra Pradesh) besides several film awards.

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