J Mahendran: A legend who redefined Tamil cinema

It was Mahendran who truly ushered in a new era in Tamil cinema, infusing realism and taking audience to connect quotient several tches higher that resulted in a whole new experience for filmgoers.

Screenwriter, film director, critic and playwright, he wore many hats in his life and sharp dialogues flowed from his pen like "Romba kettavan sir intha Kaali," (by Rajinikanth) in Mullum Malarum (1978) which was his directorial debut.

79-year old veteran director passed away in Chennai following a brief illness.

Born as Alexander in 1939 at Ilayankudi in Tamil Nu, he assumed name of Mahendran later in his life. He began writing plays in early 1960's. 1966 film

"Naam Moovar," was his story and he went on to write many more for several or movies. Mahendran h also been a film critic in a Tamil magazine. One example of his craft was seen in 1974 blockbuster

'Thanga Phakkam', essayed by top star Sivaji Ganesan, where he does t utter a single word after death of his wife, which was something new for audiences used to hyperbole in Tamil cinema.

"That is way he started his brand of cinema. Truly, he redefined Tamil cinema," Mahendran's longtime associate and film maker G Dhananjayan told PTI and cited scene from 1974 movie. Story, screenplay, and dialogues for Thanga Phakkam was written by Mahendran and it was directed by P Mhavan. An understatement of emotive ambience, consequences, and body langu of characters did all talking.

Shining light on myri human emotions always does t need crutch of words was Mahendran's mantra in an era when filmdom heavily depended on catchy lines and lengthy dialogues.

wonder n that top star Rajinikanth said "Mahendran sir taught me a new phemen in acting. After watching 'Mullum Malarum', director K Balachander wrote to me saying he was proud to have launched my film career."

"It was Mahendran sir who showed ar Rajinikanth in me," actor said. Heaping praise on his mentor, top actor, after paying hom and placing a wreath on Mahendran's body here said: "His death is a huge loss for Tamil film world. He will have a placed etched for himself for all time to come in realm of cinema."

Wher in cinema or in his personal life Mahendran never compromised on his self-respect and he was a model to up and coming film makers, Rajinikanth said. Mahendran's 'Mullum Malarum' launched Rajinikanth on a new pedestal of acting and ir partnership resulted in memorable movies like Johnny (1980) and Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984).

Dhananjeyan, giving an example of Mahendran's style of film making, pointed out that hugely popular "Paruvame" song in "Nenjathai Killa" did t feature usual "lip sync," a rm till n. song's visual representation, replete with natural settings, offered a whole new experience.

Veteran film journalists pointed out that Mahendran h a streak of realism even when he was in college in 1958.

"At a college event, when n top star M G Ramachandran took part, Mahendran said while women and men in love invited wrath of people, y enjoyed MGR's romances on screen," a senior journalist said.

For Mahendran, this led to an enduring relationship with MGR, who reined him as an associate director for his film "Kanchi Thalaivan."

Apart from Thanga Phakkam, Mahendran h written story for Sivaji Ganesan's 'Niraikudam' (1969), 'Rishi Moolam' (1980) and 'Hitler Umanath' (1982). Though Mahendran directed only 12 films, his fame as an original creative icon stood him in good ste till his last breath

Mahendran h said that "Uthiri Pookal" was his best work since it h "minimum flaws." 'Metti', 'Nandu' and 'Sasanam' are his or ted films. He was also a faculty at Blue Ocean Film and Television Acemy.