Film director and producer Muktha Srinivasan, 88, passed away in Chennai on Tuesday, according to media reports. He is survived by his wife and children. Muktha, who is a prominent member of the film industry, has produced and directed around 50 films.
Srinivasan’s first film Mudhalali, released in 1957, and the film went on to win the National Award for the best feature film in Tamil that year. He has directed several films and with biggest stars, including Gemini Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, Sivaji Ganesan and later Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
He introduced Vaali as a lyricist, actresses Devika, Deepa and others to the silver screen. He brought to light Actor-Director T. S. B. K. Mouli’s acting prowess in his film Sooryakanthi. Visu the dramatist became Visu the filmmaker after working in his Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum. He has received numerous awards and as of 2018, he was the most senior director alive and active producer in the Tamil film industry.
Srinivasan was one of the founders of, and served as President for, the Tamil Film Producer Council. He served as President of the South Indian film chamber of commerce He was Chairman of Film City, owned by the state government of Tamil Nadu. He was also Member of Award Films Committees and a Board Member of the Film Censor Board.
Tributes poured in for the veteran on social media.
My condolences on the passing away of veteran director and producer Muktha Srinivasan. Great contributor to Cinema.
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) May 30, 2018
Veteran director and producer #MukthaSrinivasan passes away
Read more at: https://t.co/S1ZAqzxP1u pic.twitter.com/vOwcmqwIoZ
— sridevi sreedhar (@sridevisreedhar) May 30, 2018
Muktha Srinivasan is dead. My fav among his movies was the stellar comedy 'Kathanayagan' with Pandiarajan and S Ve Shekar. He made so many successful movies with second rung stars like Jaishankar, SSR. Was instrumental in Gemini Ganesan's rise. Also, produced Nayagan.
— Sruthisagar Yamunan (@sruthisagar) May 29, 2018
Regret to inform the sad passing away of Veteran Director and Producer Muktha Srinivasan. I pray for his athma to attain the lotus feet of the Lord. pic.twitter.com/siESBpJ14N
— Mohan Raman (@actormohanraman) May 29, 2018
#MukthaSrinivasan made the stars of South work wonders, touching their talent with class.
— Ranveer Singh Dalal (@ranveersd) May 30, 2018
Muktha Films Muktha Srinivasan passes away, who gave unforgettable comedy delights like Aayiram Poi, Then Mazhai, Ninaivil Nindraval, Bommalattam and many more! #RIP
— Ethirajan Srinivasan (@Ethirajans) May 30, 2018
Muktha Srinivasan’s elder brother is Muktha Ramaswamy and his sister is Revathi. He married Prema in 1951. He has three children Muktha S. Sundar, Mukhta Ravi and Maya. He expired at his residence in T Nagar, Chennai on 29th May, 2018 due to old age.
RIP Muktha Srinivasan
