Veteran Kannada director, writer KV Raju passed away on Friday (December 24) at his residence in Bengaluru.

Raju is well-known for directing many superhits in Kannada like Yudhakanda, Belli Modagalu, Indrajith, Kadana, Belli Kalungar. He had also recently worked as a screenplay and dialogue writer for the upcoming film, Satyam.

Raju entered the film industry in 1982 as an associate director to KV Jayaram. He then made his debut as a writer-director in 1984 with Olave Baduku.

Raju became a much-sought-after name in Kannada cinema in the '80s and '90s and worked with most of the superstars in the industry. He ventured into the Hindi film industry with Indrajeeth starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jayaprada. He has also directed two other Hindi films, Udhar Ki Zindagi and Khooni Jung.