Acclaimed Malayalam film director IV Sasi died in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 69. The filmmaker had been ailing for sometime.
In a career spanning close to four decades, he directed more than 150 films. Particularly known for his Malayalam films between 1970 and 1990, Sasi was best known for films like Devasuram, Mrigaya, Adiyozhukkukal among others. He also made iconic Tamil films such as the Kamal Haasan and Sridevi-starrer Guru in 1980, and the Rajinikanth film Kaali in the same year.
He made Hindi films, too, such as Patita, Karishma, and Ankhon Ki Rishta. A director considered way ahead of his times, he was instrumental in introducing new aspects to filmmaking, and has been the recipient of awards such as National Film Awards and the Nargis Dutt award. He even served as the festival director of the second edition All Lights India International Film Festival, which was held at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. He was also known for being the filmmaker introducing actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty to the film industry.
He is survived by his wife, the popular yesteryear actress Seema, a son and a daughter.
Tributes have since been pouring for him on social media:
Sad to hear abt the passing away of film maker I.V.Sasi, hav worked with this dynamic director.Sympathies 2his wife Actress Seema &kids.
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) October 24, 2017
The man who rewritten the course of mainstream Malayalam cinema #IVSasi is no more.We been discussion a film together,it’s my personal loss!
— resul pookutty (@resulp) October 24, 2017
The famous director and wonderful human Thiru .IV.SASi no more..great loss seems chechi..RIP
— manobala (@manobalam) October 24, 2017
Mal film industry has lost another of its stalwarts #IVSasi. He was truly a game changer & handling multi starrers came easy 2 him #pranamam
— Sangeeth Sivan (@sangeethsivan) October 24, 2017
(with inputs from IANS)
Feature Image: Deccan Abroad
