Renowned director GN Rangarajan passed away today morning at around 8.45 am today, due to age-related illness. He was 90. Reports suggest that his final rites will take place today in Chennai. Rangarajan was known for hit films such as Meendum Kokila, Kalyanaraman, Maharasan, among others.
Rangarajan's son GNR Kumaravelan is also a director in the Tamil film industry. He took to social media to share a photo of his father and informed the demise of Rangarajan. Announcing the death of his father, GNR Kumaravelan wrote, "My Father, my mentor, my love ... passed away today morning around 8.45 am. Need all your prayers to keep my family in strength (sic)."
My Father, my mentor , my love ... passed away today morning around 8.45 am. Need all your prayers to keep my family in strength pic.twitter.com/tpTfvjG474
— Gnr.kumaravelan (@gnr_kumaravelan) June 3, 2021
Earlier, during Rangarajan’s 90th birthday, which was celebrated on December 17, 2020, GNR Kumaravelan had shared some of the valuable advice he received from his father and guru. He had said, “More than imparting the technical aspects of filmmaking skills, my father would always insist me to be disciplined and never hurt anyone with words and deeds. He would always warn me, saying, 'Once your character loses its reputation, you will never get it back. So, beware of your words and actions. At the same time, be strong and never lose confidence in yourself as you will come across many, who will try to hurt you and hamper your success.' Well, I think, I am somewhat inclined to his teachings that keep my journey in the industry going."
Talking about his dad’s career, he had further said, “My father started his journey as assistant editor to Dorai Singam and was deeply influenced by the films of director Bheem Singh. Later, he was associated with director SP Muthuraman sir for many years in around 25 movies, which includes Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri, Aaril Irundhu Aruvadhu Varai and Priya. During this period, he became acquainted with Rajinikanth sir and Kamal Haasan sir. Well, he had the call sheet of both these iconic actors, but it was during the same point of time when Rajini sir and Kamal sir had made a mutual decision of not sharing the screen space anymore. He made the film Kalyana Raman with Kamal sir, which was a super hit. Following this, my father worked with Kamal Haasan sir in nine movies that include Meendum Kokila, Kadal Meengal and Maharasan. All these movies were silver jubilee hits. Later, he became a producer with the movie Rani Theni, for which Kamal Haasan sir never took any salary. Unfortunately, one of the films produced by my father turned out to be a failure. It was Kamal sir who gave call sheet for Maharasan then and all our financial issues were cleared off overnight. Such is the beautiful friendship that existed between my father and Kamal sir. Even my debut film as an assistant director was his all-time classic comedy flick Sathileelavathi, directed by Balu Mahendra sir.”
(Source: Twitter/TOI)
