Legendary Tamil filmmaker and actor Velu Prabhakaran passed away on Friday, July 18, at a hospital in Chennai. He was 67. The acclaimed director, known for pushing boundaries with bold themes of atheism, caste, and sexuality in Tamil cinema, had been battling a prolonged illness and was admitted to the ICU a day prior to his death. He was on ventilator support.
Prabhakaran’s mortal remains will be kept for public homage at his residence in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon. A private cremation ceremony with close family and friends will take place on Sunday evening.
A Pioneering Voice in Tamil Cinema
Born on May 6, 1957, Velu Prabhakaran began his journey in the film industry as a cinematographer. He made his directorial debut with the 1989 horror film Nalaya Manithan. Known for his fearless and unconventional storytelling, he went on to helm several thought-provoking films such as Puratchikkaaran, Asuran (1995), Rajali, Kadavul, Sivan, and Puthiya Aatchi.
Among his notable and controversial works are Oru Iyakkunarin Kadhal Diary, Kadhal Kadhai, and Adhisa Manithan. His storytelling often stirred debate for its socio-political undertones and treatment of taboo topics.
Personal Life and Later Years
Velu Prabhakaran’s life, both personal and professional, was marked by controversies. He was first married to actor and filmmaker P. Jayadevi. Later, at the age of 60, he married Shirley Das, the lead actress of his film Kadhal Kadhai. Following a series of commercial failures, Prabhakaran shifted his focus from direction to acting.
In recent years, he appeared in supporting roles in films like Gangs of Madras, Jango, Cadaver, Weapon, and Gajaana. One of his memorable contributions to Tamil cinema, the song Chakku Chakku Vathikuchi from Asuran (1995), found a new wave of popularity after it was reused in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s 2022 hit Vikram, starring Kamal Haasan.
His final directorial venture, Yaar Antha Sir? featuring Mansoor Ali Khan, has yet to secure a theatrical release.
Velu Prabhakaran leaves behind a legacy of fearless cinema that challenged norms and provoked conversations, making him a unique voice in Tamil filmmaking.
