Veteran filmmaker Balu Mahendra is no more

A shocking news has just arrived that acclaimed filmmaker-cinematographer Balu Mahendra passed away around 11 a.m. this morning, at the age of 74. Following a severe heart attack, the National Award winning director was admitted to Vijaya Hospital this morning in a critical condition.

Born on May 20, 1939, Mahendra debuted in his filmmaking career in 1977 with a Kannada film titled Kokila. His debut film helped him bag National Film Award for Best Cinematography (Black and White) and Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay. Since then he went on delivering blockbusters and winning several prestigious awards. Some of his films, which will stay with us forever and keep him in our memory, are Moondram Pirai, Veedu, Sandhya Raagam, Vanna Vanna Pookkal, Sadma, Olangal, Nellu, Manavoori Pandavulu and Nireekshana, to mention quite a few. The legend will be missed in the film industry forever. May his soul rest in peace.