Mahendran was born in 1939 as Alexander to do Joseph Chelliah, a teacher and Manonmani. During his college days, he was very active in stage plays.

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A walk down veteran director J Mahendran's memory lane: Rare unseen pictures of one of the greatest filmmakers of Tamil cinema

Here are some wonderful moments from the director-actor's personal album

Team CE

Updated:2nd Apr, 2020 at 3:49 PM

Mahendran entered the film industry as a screenwriter, writing scripts for nearly 26 films. Mahendran made his breakthrough as a screenwriter for the film Naam Moovar in 1966.

He made an immediate impact with his first directional venture, Mullum Malarum, starring Rajinikanth

Mahendran was mostly responsible for Tamil cinema's transformation from a merely photographed theatre-play into a proper visual art form.

Mahendran was particularly celebrated for his filmmaking style, which was, for its time, uncharacteristically subtle, intense, deep, and devoid of melodrama.

Rajinikanth clicked with director Mahendran. The two had worked together in three films: Johnny, Mullum Malarum and Kai Kudukkum Kai

A picture from the sets of Mullum Malarum. Rajinikanth and Sarath Babu are seen along with Mahendran.

Director Mahendran directing a shot from one of his films

Mahendran's 1980 film, Nenjathai Killathey, won three National Film Awards including the award for the best regional film.

Director Mahendran, music maestro Ilayaraja and producer of the film Karaikudi Narayanan during the muhurat of Nallathu Nadanthe Theerum (1981).

Director Mahendran with Cinematographer Ashok Kumar.

Director Mahendran with Cinematographer Ashok Kumar.

Director Mahendran with actor Thiagarajan and actress Suhasini.

J Mahendran clicked on the sets of his directorials

J Mahendran was behind the lens for the major part of his career. He started acting only during the latter part of his film career

J Mahendran was a part of the Blue Ocean FIlm and Television Academy (BOFTA) in Chennai where he headed the filmmaking and direction course.

Tamil actor Arvindswamy with Director Mahendran and Actress Ranjitha on the sets of the film Saasanam.

Director Mahendran at his son's wedding. K. Bhakyaraj is also seen

Director J Mahendran clicked with Superstar Rajinikanth on the sets of Petta

Film director Mahendran releasing a book titled Thiraichirpigal which was received by film director Balu Mahendra in 2010.

Rajinikanth clicked with LTTE chief Prabhakaran.

J Mahendran clicked with Vijay and director Atlee on the sets of Theri, in which he played the main antagonist.

Mahendran and Sarath Babu clicked on the film sets

Director Mahendran and Rajinikanth clicked on the sets of Johnny

Mahendran directing a shot

Director Mahendran clicked with Kamal Haasan in an event

Mahendran clicked with Naasar

Mahendran with director Atlee and GV Prakash.

Director Mahendran with Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddique from the sets of Rajinikanth's Petta

Mahendran with director Priyadarshan and actor Udhayanidhi Stalin on the sets of the latter's film, Nimir.

Director Mahendran preparing for one of his shots

Mahendran clicked with Vijay Sethupathi

Mahendran directing Rajini on the sets of Johnny

Mahendran directing Sarath Babu on the sets of Uthiri Pookkal

Mahendran clicked with chief minister MGR in an event

Mahendran conceiving one of his shots

Mahendran and Rajinikanth clicked on their film sets

Mahendran with actor Ashwini on the sets of UthiriPookkal

Mahendran clicked with his two favourite stars of his era, Rajinikanth and Sarathbabu.

Mahendran on the sets, directing a shot

Mahendran clicked with actor Raadhika

Mahendran directing Rajinikanth on the sets of Johnny

Mahendran clicked with Sarathbabu.

Mahendran and Suhasini posing for the camera on the sets of Nenjathai Killathey.

An iconic still of Rajinikanth lighting a cigarette for director Mahendran.