Noted film producer P V Gangadharan passes away

KOZHIKODE: Noted film producer and businessman P V Gangadharan passed away at a private hospital here on Friday morning. He was 80.
According to family sources, he had been suffering from heart-related ailments for the last few days and breathed his last at around 6.30am.
Gangadharan had produced some of the most notable films in Malayalam including the critically acclaimed evergreen classic Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha'.His film production company Grihalakshmi Films have bankrolled over 20 films including many blockbuster movies in Malayalam.
He had won two National film awards and five Kerala state film awards for the movies he had produced.
Gangadharan made his foray into film production with the 1977 movie Sujatha and went on to produce films like Manasa Vacha Karmana and blockbuster hits like IV Sasi directorial Angadi, Ahimsa and Vartha and also made several films of artistic value like Shantham.
Born as son of noted industrialist and founder of KTC Group, PV Sami and Madhavi Sami in 1943, Gangadharan had also made forays into politics as KSU activist during his student days and had been a member of the AICC and had also contested as UDF candidate from Kozhikode North constituency in 2011.
He has been an whole-time director of Mathrubhumi. Gangadharan had served as chairman of the Kerala Film Development Corporation.
The body will be kept for public homage at his residence at Azchavattom and at the K P Kesava Menon Memorial Hall. The funeral will be held on Saturday.