Director Mahendran: J Mahendran, Tamil director, dies at the age of 79 | Chennai News

CHENNAI: Veteran Tamil filmmaker J Mahendran died in Chennai on Tuesday morning. He was 79 years old.

The director's son, John Mahendran, tweeted in announcing his death: "The director Mahendran died this morning."

Mahendran was being treated in Apollo Hospitals. He was rushed to the USI last week after a dialysis session and was under ventilation.

Family sources said cremation would occur at 5:00 pm |
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Mahendran, who began his career as a writer in the 1960s, directed 12 films, including "Uthiri Pookkal" and "Nenjathai Killathey". He played a pivotal role in Rajinikanth superstar's career in many ways by giving him memorable roles in films like "Johnny" and "Mullum Malarum".

Lately, the veteran director has become an actor and played the role of the antagonist in Thery's actor Vijay and "Petta" of Rajinikanth.

He was part of the BOFTA film school where he directed the course of writing and directing scripts.