Veteran Tamil film director AC Tirulokachandar passes away

Veteran Tamil film director AC Tirulokachandar, who had directed over 60 movies including Tamil, Telugu and some Hindi films, passed away on June 15.

"He was 85 and he passed away at a hospital here due to age related health issues and he is survived by a son and a daughter," N Shan, son-in-law of Raj Chandar, son of Tirlokachandar told PTI.

Remembered for films in which he directed iconic yesteryear actors like MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan, he debuted in the Tamil film industry with the 1962 movie Veera Thirumagan, a AVM production.

Before that AC Tirulokachandar worked in film studios and had written numerous short stories in Tamil magazines.

Films like Anbey Vaa (1966), Ramu (1966), Athey Kangal (1967), Naanum Oru Pen (1963), Baratha Vilas (1973), Enga Mama (1970) were among his Tamil hits.

"The last movie that he directed was Sivaji starrer Anbulla Appa (1986)," Shan said.

Totally, he had directed 65 films, most of them in Tamil followed by Telugu and Hindi, he said. He also directed Rajinikanth starrer movies, including Badrakali.

Meanwhile, a press release from his publicist said he won a host of awards, which included Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government, and Filmfare Awards.

He also headed a State government panel to select best movies, it added. The cremation would be held on June 16, Shan said.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa expressed her grief over the demise of the veteran director.

"He was a very learned, and well bred individual and an excellent film director who directed his movies with dexterity," she said in an official release.

She further stated he was an expert in making women-centric movies and "a pastmaster in excellent characterisation."

Jayalalithaa recalled that he directed Anbey Va (her mentor and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran starrer-movie) Deiva Magan, Engiruntho Vanthal, Dharmam Engey and Enga Mama, in which she played the lead roles.

Deiva Magan was first Tamil film sent by India to the Oscars in the best foreign language film category.