New Delhi, Delhi, India

Renowned director and producer Muktha V. Srinivasan died on Tuesday night in Chennai. The veteran filmmaker was 88 years old. 

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Muktha directed his first film Mudhalaali in 1957 that had SS Rajendran in the lead. The film went on to win the National Award for the best feature film in Tamil that year.

In his six-decades-long career, Muktha directed several memorable films including Paanchali, Ninaivil Nindraval, Suryagandhi, Simla Special and Polladhavan. He worked with some notable actors that established him as the stars’ director. He worked with Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. 

Apart from being a great filmmaker, Muktha also identified himself as a ‘die-hard book lover’ who authored many non-fiction and fictional works including novels, short story collections and essays.

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In his later years, he also helped with the founding of the Tamil Film Producers Council -- with the help of former Chief Minister and on actor MG Ramachandran’s insistence.