Veteran film director CV Rajendran passed away in Chennai on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 81.
The director had worked with several big names in the film industry, such as Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan, among others. His first directorial was in 1967 with the Tamil film Anubavam Pudhumai starring R Muthuraman.
Some of his well-known films include Raja (Tamil | 1972), En Magan (Tamil | 1974), Thrimurthy (Kannada | 1975), Dulhan (Hindi | 1975), Garjanam (Malayalam | 1981), Chiranjeevi (Telugu | 1985) and Ullassa Paravaigal (Tamil | 1980). His work is spread across the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi film industries.
Rajendran also directed former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in films like Galatta Kalyanam (1968), Raja, Needhi (1972) and Sumathi En Sundari (1971).
CV Rajendran began his career by assisting his brother, legendary director CV Sridhar. He worked as associate director for hit films such as Nenjam Marapadhillai (1963), Kadhalikka Neramillai (1964) and Vennira Aadai (1965 | Jayalalithaa’s debut film).
Rajendran also produced two films – Vietnam Colony (1994) and Once More (1997).
The director was the one who introduced actor Prabhu in the 1982 film Sangili. The film also starred Sivaji Ganesan and was a remake of the 1976 Hindi film Kalicharan.
The veteran director was felicitated in January last year by the Nadigar Thilagam Fans Association for completing 50 years as a filmmaker. Director Chitralaya Gopu, actors Kanchana, Nirmala, Sachu and Prabhu were present at the event.
The mortal remains of the director will be placed at Arcot Road, T Nagar after 11 am on Sunday for people to pay their respects.
Following his demise, several of the director’s fans took to Twitter to share their condolences.
Veteran Tamil Director #CVRajendran who directed #SivagamiyinSelvan , #UllasaParavaigal , #Garjanai , #Sangili , #Chiranjeevi (Telugu) passed away in #Chennai
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) April 1, 2018
May his soul RIP! pic.twitter.com/FqXIxK5Xoj
RIP #CVRajendran , popular yesteryear director. He had directed many popular films with top actors including the legendary Sivaji Ganesan.
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) April 1, 2018
Tamil director CV Rajendran passes away at 81: Fans mourn his death #CVRajendran #Rajendranhttps://t.co/cHQUHalhN4
— Shekhar H Hooli (@shekharhhooli) April 1, 2018
About one and a half years ago I interviewed him for @NewIndianXpress when he was at Trichy. And this man is no more now. Though we cannot tag him as an ace director, his movie 'Galatta Kalyanam' is one irreplaceable humour flick of all times. #CVRajendran pic.twitter.com/hzUdAoO7BC
— Santhosh Mathevan (@myself_santhosh) April 1, 2018