Visu
Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan (1 July 1945 – 22 March 2020), best known by his stage name Visu, was an Indian writer, director, stage, film and television actor and talk-show host.[3] Visu initially worked as an assistant to director K. Balachander until becoming a director himself. He later began acting, with his first film being Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981), directed by S. P. Muthuraman.
Visu | |
---|---|
Born | Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan[1] 1 July 1945[2] Tamil Nadu, India |
Died | 22 March 2020 74) Chennai, India | (aged
Occupation(s) | Director, writer, actor, television host. |
Years active | 1977–2019 |
Spouse | Uma |
Children | 3 |
Career
He started his career as a theatre artist, working with Y. G. Parthasarathy's drama troupe. He was writing scripts for stage dramas before getting into the film industry as an assistant to legendary director K. Balachander. During his time with Balachander, he wrote screenplays for numerous films including Pattina Pravesam (1977), Avan Aval Adhu (1980), Thillu Mullu (1981) and Netrikkan (1981). Thillu Mullu and Netrikkan, which were both released in 1981, became box office hits for actor Rajinikanth.Visu made his debut as an actor in the film Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981), for which he also wrote the screenplay. The film was directed by S. P. Muthuraman.
His first film as a director was Kanmani Poonga (1982). Most of his films including Manal Kayiru (1982), Dowry Kalyanam (1983), Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986), Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi (1987), Penmani Aval Kanmani (1988), Vedikkai En Vadikkai (1990) and Pattukottai Periyappa (1994) spoke about the issues of urban middle-class families. These films, which were released in the mid-80s, turned out to be crowd pullers, particularly with regard to the female audience.[4] His other super hit was Chidambara Rahasiyam (1985), which is considered a cult-classic.[5]
While he has directed a rage of actors on screen, he and his brother Kishmu used to star in his films as well in memorable roles. His film Neenga Nalla Irukkanum won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 1992. Based on prohibition, the film was the last onscreen appearance of then chief minister, J. Jayalalithaa.[6]
He has also shared the screen with Rajinikanth in Nallavanukku Nallavan (1984), Mr. Bharath (1986), Mannan (1992), Uzhaippali (1993) and Arunachalam (1997).
During the ending phase of his career, he made movies which did not leave a lasting mark on the audience as Vaa Magale Vaa (1994), Meendum Savithri (1996) and Sigamani Ramamani (2001).[7]
Actor and stage artiste S. Ve. Shekher, who has worked in over 20 films with Visu, said that he was an extremely disciplined and committed.[8]
As an actor, he was last seen in Manal Kayiru 2 (2016), the sequel to one of his earliest directorial successes, Manal Kayiru.
He is known to have starred in over 60 films and directed around 25 films.[9]
Style
"Growing up in a joint family, I observed how each person had a difference of opinion. It wasn't bad; just that we were different. I wondered, 'Wouldn't other joint families have similar issues?' So I started writing scripts that reflect the day-to-day scenario in a joint family".
– Visu in 2016[10]
In most of the films Visu directed, all the characters were given equal importance. Often, there was huge house wherein a joint family would reside and the character of Visu would solve their problems. Many of Visu's film titles contain rhyming words, such as Kudumbam Oru Kadambam, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi, Kavalan Avan Kovalan, Penmani Aval Kanmani, Varavu Nalla Uravu and Vedikkai En Vadikkai. His films focused on many family issues like dowry, need of remarriage for women, mother in law-daughter in law disputes and so on which were occurring that time. In most of his films there is a character named Uma, named after a school teacher who predicted his rise to fame after reading one of his scripts when he was a travel agent.[11][12][13][14]
Other works
Visu became known for hosting live debates on television, namely Arattai Arangam on Sun TV and Visuvin Makkal Arangam on Jaya TV.[15][16] He joined and campaigned for BJP.[17]
Final years and death
On 22 March 2020 at Chennai, Visu died of kidney failure at the age of 74.[18][19][20][21]
Filmography
- Films
Year | Title | Credited as | Role | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | Actor | ||||
1977 | Pattina Pravesam | |||||
1978 | Sadhurangam | also dialogue | ||||
1980 | Avan Aval Adhu | |||||
1980 | Mazhalai Pattalam | |||||
1981 | Thillu Mullu | As a film crew | Voice-Over Actor (Dubbing) | |||
1981 | Netrikkann | |||||
1981 | Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum | |||||
1981 | Kudumbam Oru Kadambam | Srinivasa Raghavan | ||||
1982 | Kanmani Poonga | Cricketer Ramkumar | ||||
1982 | Simla Special | |||||
1982 | Manal Kayiru | Uthramerur Narathar Naidu | ||||
1982 | Pudhukavithai | |||||
1983 | Oru Kai Paappom | Kai adi Kamalaknnan | ||||
1983 | Dowry Kalyanam | Ganesh | ||||
1984 | Nallavanuku Nallavan | Owner Gangadharan | ||||
1984 | Puyal Kadantha Boomi | Nammaalu allies Namachivaayan | ||||
1984 | Rajathandhiram | Bairavan | ||||
1984 | Vaai Sollil Veeranadi | Vengapuli Varadhachari | ||||
1984 | Nanayam Illatha Nanayam | Veerapandi | ||||
1984 | Oorukku Upadesam | Sankaran | ||||
1985 | Puthiya Sagaptham | Ramadasaradan | ||||
1985 | Aval Sumangalithan | Watchman Aarumugam | ||||
1985 | Ketti Melam | |||||
1985 | Chidambara Rahasiyam | Beemarao | ||||
1986 | Mr. Bharath | Kumaresa Gounder | ||||
1986 | Dharma Pathini | Lawyer "Vicks" Vardarajan | ||||
1986 | Samsaram Adhu Minsaaram | Ammaiyappa Mudaliyar | National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | |||
1986 | Oomai Vizhigal | Rathnasabapathy | ||||
1986 | Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu | Thulasi's father | ||||
1986 | Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu | Ponnambalam | ||||
1986 | Anandha Kanneer | Paapa Panchu | ||||
1987 | Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi | Naagarkoil Naadhamuni | ||||
1987 | Kavalan Avan Kovalan | Prabhu's Father-in-law | ||||
1987 | Kathai Kathayam Karanamam | |||||
1987 | Srimathi Oka Bahumathi | Telugu film; remake of Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi | ||||
1988 | Veedu Manaivi Makkal | Subbaiah Pillai | ||||
1988 | Penmani Aval Kanmani | Radio Mama | ||||
1988 | Aadade Aadharam | Nandi Award for Second Best Story Writer[22] Telugu film; remake of Penmani Aval Kanmani | ||||
1988 | Mappillai Sir | Vakkil Varadharajan | ||||
1988 | Illu Illalu Pillalu | Telugu film; remake of Veedu Manaivi Makkal | ||||
1989 | Sakalakala Sammandhi | Mayavaram Malayappan | ||||
1990 | Varavu Nalla Uravu | Appa Ambalavanar | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer | |||
1990 | Vedikkai En Vadikkai | Kaavisattai Kandasamy | ||||
1992 | Mannan | Viswanathan | ||||
1992 | Urimai Oonjaladugirathu | Kasturi's Father | ||||
1992 | Neenga Nalla Irukkanum | National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues | ||||
1993 | Uzhaippali | Barrister | ||||
1993 | Chinna Mapillai | Marriage Broker | ||||
1994 | Pattukottai Periyappa | Pattukottai Periyappa | ||||
1994 | Aranmanai Kaavalan | Silai thirudan Santhanam | ||||
1994 | Vaa Magale Vaa | Viswanathan | ||||
1994 | Vanaja Girija | Business man Ramanathan | ||||
1994 | Vaanga Partner Vaanga | Ganapathi | ||||
1995 | Mayabazar | Vishwanathan | ||||
1995 | God Father | Viswanatham | Telugu film | |||
1996 | Irattai Roja | Anchor | Guest appearance | |||
1996 | Meendum Savithri | Narayana Moorthy | ||||
1997 | Nesam | Himself | ||||
1997 | Aravindhan | |||||
1997 | Adimai Changili | |||||
1997 | Vasuki | Ramasamy | ||||
1997 | Arunachalam | Adv. Rangachari | ||||
1997 | Sishya | Aadhimoolam | ||||
1997 | Vaimaye Vellum | |||||
1998 | Bhagavath Singh | |||||
1999 | Mannavaru Chinnavaru | Shanmugasundaram | ||||
1999 | Anbulla Kadhalukku | Chandrasekhar | ||||
2000 | Kakkai Siraginilae | Judge | ||||
2000 | Vaanavil | Himself | ||||
2001 | Sigamani Ramamani | Sundaramoorthy | ||||
2001 | Krishna Krishna | Advocate Viswanathan | Guest appearance | |||
2001 | Middle Class Madhavan | Advocate | ||||
2001 | Vadagupatti Maapillai | Gomathi Shankar | ||||
2001 | Looty | Dr. Kuzhanthavelu | ||||
2001 | Vedham | Guest appearance | ||||
2003 | Thithikudhe | Himself | ||||
2004 | Maha Nadigan | |||||
2005 | Ji | Raghavan | ||||
2007 | Cheena Thaana 001 | Governor | Guest appearance | |||
2007 | Nenjirukkumvarai Ninaivirukkum | Guest appearance | ||||
2008 | Ellam Avan Seyal | |||||
2009 | Innoruvan | Judge | ||||
2009 | Kannukulle | |||||
2013 | Alex Pandian | Chief Minister | ||||
2013 | Oruvar Meethu Iruvar Sainthu | Judge | ||||
2016 | Manal Kayiru 2 | Uthramerur Narathar Naidu |
- Television
- Arattai Arangam - Sun TV
- Makkal Arangam - Jaya TV
- Naalavathu Mudichu - Jaya TV[23]
References
- "CHATTING for a cause". The Hindu. 19 August 2004. Archived from the original on 19 October 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- "TANTIS". tamilfilmdirectorsassociation.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- Balasubramanian, V. (3 April 2014). "I never left the stage". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- "Tamil actor-director Visu passes away". 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- "Veteran Tamil actor, director Visu passes away at 74". The Week. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- "Remembering veteran actor Visu, pioneer of successful family-friendly Tamil films". Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- "Kollywood Director Visu Biography, News, Photos, Videos". Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- "Actor, director Visu dies at 75, funeral to be held on Monday". The Hindu. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- "Veteran Tamil actor-director Visu dies of prolonged kidney-related ailments at age 74". Indulge Express. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- "Looking back at the golden years". The New Indian Express. 9 July 2016. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- Ashok Kumar, S. R. (26 March 2020). "Visu, a colossus". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- Rangan, Baradwaj (23 March 2020). "A Tribute To Visu, Known For His Middle-Class Melodramas Like Samsaram Adhu Minsaram". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- "Remembering Visu, the king of the middle-class family drama". The News Minute. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- "விசு நினைவு தினம்: காலத்தால் அழியாத 'சம்சாரம் அது மின்சாரம்'". Dinamani (in Tamil). 22 March 2022. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- "Inimitable Visu". The Hindu. 11 September 2004. Archived from the original on 24 January 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- Devalla, Rani (11 November 2014). "A Passionate journey". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "Veteran actor Visu joins BJP". Deccan Chronicle. 31 January 2016. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "Veteran Kollywood director Visu passes away at 74". The New Indian Express. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "உடல்நலக்குறைவால் நடிகர் விசு காலமானார்..!" [Actor Visu expired due to illness]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Director Visu passes away". The Times of India. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "Veteran Kollywood director Visu passes away at 74". The News Minute. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- Jaya TV (11 October 2021). நாலாவது முடிச்சு- Naalavathu Mudichu | Tamil Serial | Jaya TV Rewind | Episode 1. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021 – via YouTube.