The Tamil film industry is mourning the loss of veteran director and cinematographer Velu Prabhakaran, who passed away early Friday morning at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 68.
According to family sources, Prabhakaran had been battling a prolonged illness and suffered a heart attack. He had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for several days prior to his death.
His mortal remains will be kept for public homage at Valasaravakkam in Chennai from Saturday evening (July 19) to Sunday afternoon (July 20). The cremation is scheduled for Sunday evening at Porur crematorium, attended by close family and friends.
Prabhakaran began his cinematic journey as a cinematographer before making his directorial debut with Nalaya Manithan in 1989. He followed it up with its sequel, Adhisaya Manithan, but faced setbacks with Asuran and Rajali. He later pivoted to action films and controversial themes, most notably in Kadhal Kadhai, which faced censorship challenges due to its bold portrayal of caste and sexuality.
In 2017, he directed his final film, Oru Iyakkunarin Kadhal Diary. Since 2019, Prabhakaran had taken on acting roles in films like Gangs of Madras, Cadaver, and Pizza 3: The Mummy. His last appearance was in Gajaana.
He was previously married to actor-director Jayadevi and later to Shirley Das, who starred in Kadhal Kadhai.
Velu Prabhakaran’s fearless approach to storytelling and his willingness to challenge societal norms made him a unique voice in Tamil cinema. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to influence filmmakers and cinephiles alike.
