Kollywood celebrities who passed away in 2019

It is always inevitable to lose great actors and artistes. This year, Kollywood lost some of its talented personalities. Here is a look at some K-town celebs who might have left us but are still living amidst us with their contributions to cinema.

Veteran dramatist and screenwriter Crazy Mohan passed away earlier in June this year after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 67. Born as Mohan Rangachari in 1952, he prefixed the term 'Crazy' to his name after his debut play ‘Crazy Thieves in Palavakkam’ became a runaway hit. A qualified mechanical engineer, the prominent Tamil theatre artiste wrote and acted in many plays. Crazy Mohan also tasted success in cinema as a writer and actor. His collaboration with Kamal Haasan produced popular movies such as Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Panchathanthiram and Vasool Raja MBBS, among others. He was conferred with the professional excellence award by the Governor of Maryland, USA.

Prominent film director J Mahendran of Mullum Mallarum fame passed away on April 2, aged 79. He became sick following a dialysis session and was hospitalised on March 27. The veteran director who began his career as a writer and is known for his association with Superstar Rajinikanth in films such as Mullum Mallarum and Johnny. His Uthiripookal is considered one of the best films in Tamil cinema. In his 70s, the director has also become an actor, appearing in films like Theri, Mr. Chandramouli, Seethakathi, Petta, and Nimir.

Tamil actor and former Ramanathapuram MP JK Rithesh died on April 13, due to cardiac arrest. He was 46. As per the reports, he complained of severe chest pain during an election campaign in Ramanathapuram and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, the treatment failed to save his life. JK Rithesh was last seen on screen appearing in the role of the antagonist in RJ Balaji’s political satire 'LKG'.

Popular actor, filmmaker and playwright Girish Karnad, who predominantly worked in theatre and south Indian films, and appeared in a few Bollywood films, passed away on June 10 this year. The noted actor, who was 81, succumbed to a prolonged illness at his residence in Bengaluru, and breathed his last due to multiple organ failures. He is known for this role in films such as Kadhalan, Hey Ram & Minsaara Kanavu among others in Tamil cinema. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1974 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. He was also the recipient of the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary prize, in 1999, for his contributions to literature and there.

Production manager-turned-actor Krishnamurthy passed away due to cardiac arrest on October 7. The popular actor, most famous for playing a mentally-challenged person in Vijayakanth-Soundarya starrer Thavasi, died early morning on the sets of a Sakthi Chidambaram film in a border town near Theni. He was then rushed to the nearby private hospital, but he died on the way. Part of the film industry for more than a decade, he was also hailed for his performance in films such as Englishkaran, Roja Kootam, Friends and Naan Kadavul.

Bala Singh, one of the most versatile actors of the Tamil entertainment industry, passed away in November this year in Chennai. He was 67. According to the reports, Bala was suffering from breathlessness and high fever during his last few days. He was admitted in critical condition in the ICU of a private hospital in Chennai.

Tamil film actor, cinematographer and director Rajasekar died of a cardiac arrest on September 8. He was 61 and had worked in several films and later, in television serials. He was part of the famous Robert-Rajasekar director duo. Along with Robert Ashirwatham, he directed films like 'Palaivanacholai,' 'Chinnapoove Mella Pesu,' 'Dhooram Adhigamillai,' 'Manasukkul Mathappu' and 'Paravaigal Palavidham.' He will be remembered for the song “Ithu Oru Pon Maalai Pozhudhu” in “Nizhalgal” which he enlivened with his youthful charm and spirit. Rajasekar introduced actor Ramki and music directors S A Rajkumar and Vidhyasagar. He was also part of many successful TV serials including 'Saravanan Meenatchi' and 'Sathya.'