J Mahendran, Tamil film director, dies aged 79

CHENNAI: Veteran Tamil film director J Mahendran died in Chennai on Tuesday morning. He was 79.
The director’s son John Mahendran tweeted announcing his death: “Director Mahendran passed away this morning.”

Mahendran was undergoing treatment in Apollo Hospitals. He was rushed to the ICU last week after a dialysis session and had been on ventilator.
Family sources said the cremation would be held at 5.00pm.| Read this story in Tamil
Mahendran, who started his career as a writer in the 60s, directed 12 films, including “Uthiri Pookkal” and “Nenjathai Killathey”. He was instrumental in shaping superstar Rajinikanth's career in many ways by giving him memorable roles in films like “Johnny” and “Mullum Malarum.”
Of late, the veteran director moved to acting and did roles of the antagonist in actor Vijay's Thery and Rajinikanth's “Petta”.
He was part of the BOFTA film school where he headed the screenplay writing and direction course.