Thoondil Meen director Ra Sankaran passes away

Director and actor Ra Sankaran known for helming films like Then Sindhudhe Vaanam (1975), and Thoondil Meen (1977) has passed away. The 92-year-old actor reportedly passed away due to old age health issues. The news was shared by veteran director Bharathiraja, who has worked as an assistant director under Sankaran. 

Born Ramarathnam Sankaran, the filmmaker is a cousin of Indian author, screenwriter and actor, Javar Seetharaman. He initially began his career by acting in small-time plays and then went on to perform supporting roles in many films. His most famous role is as Mr. Chandramouli, Revathy's father, from Mani Ratnam's Mouna Ragam (1986). 

Even before his film acting career, Ra Sankaran debuted as a director with Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu in 1974. The film starred Cho Ramasamy, Jayachitra and Sivakumar in lead roles. In 1975 he collaborated with Sivakumar, Jayachitra and Cho, once again by directing Then Sindhudhe Vaanam. The film also starred Kamal Haasan, and Rani Chandra, among others. 

Sankaran's acting career began with Perumaikuriyaval in 1977. He then performed in supporting roles in many films, including Pudhumai Pen (1984), Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985), Pagal Nilavu (1985), and Unakkagave Vaazhgiren (1986), among other films. 

He also directed Thoondil Meen in 1977. The thriller film was headlined by  Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma and Major Sundarrajan. The film was acclaimed and was later remade in Hindi, Kannada and Telugu as Trishna (1978),  Avala Hejje (1981), and Bandhalu Anubandhalu (1982), respectively. Some of his other directorials also went on to win various awards.

Some of his more recent acting credits include Ajith Kumar's Amaravathi (1993), Jameen Kottai (1995), Kamal Haasan's Sathi Leelavathi (1995), and Kadhal Kottai (1996) among others. His last film is the 1999 Sundar C directorial, Azhagarsamy, starring Sathyaraj in the lead. 

Mourning his demise, director Bharathiraja wrote on X, "The demise of my teacher director Ra Sankaran hurts me. I wish to give my deepest condolences to his family who will be deeply affected by his passing."