Kamal Haasan's elder brother, Chandra Haasan, passes away

Chandra Haasan, the elder brother of actor Kamal Haasan, died following a massive cardiac arrest in London, family sources said.

Chandra Haasan (82) who was staying with his daughter Anu Haasan, also an actor, and son Nirmal Haasan in London collapsed following massive cardiac arrest last night, they said.

Chandra Haasan’s wife Geethamani predeceased him in January this year.

Besides Chandra Haasan, Kamal Haasan has another brother Chaaru Haasan, also an actor.

The three were managing The Raj Kamal Films International, the production venture of Kamal Haasan.

Some of the flicks like Virumaandi, Sathileelavathi, Viswaroopam were produced by the firm.

Chandra Haasan actively participated in the several round of talks with a section of Muslim outfits, who objected to some contents in Viswaroopam, which faced several hurdles before its release few years ago.

South Indian Film Artists Association, representing the film fraternity, condoled the death of Chandra Haasan.

The association said Chandra Haasan was a guiding force to Kamal Haasan right from his early days in the tinsel world.

“The association extends its deep condolences to family of Kamal Haasan and Chaaru Haasan on the demise of Chandra Haasan,” it said in a release.

The association’s former president and actor R Sarath Kumar also condoled the death of Chandra Haasan.