Acclaimed Tollywood filmmaker and actor K. Viswanath, who is known for making movies based on compelling tales highlighting the performing arts and aesthetics, passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Thursday night following a prolonged illness, sources said. He was 92.
The director's mortal remains were brought to his residence in Film Nagar around 1.00 pm.
He is survived by his wife Jaya Lakshmi, three sons Ravindranath Viswanath, and Nagendranath Viswanath and a daughter, Padmavathi Viswanath. Viswanath was admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad a few days ago with old age ailments. The untimely demise of K Viswanath left the entire industry in shock and grief. Several Tollywood celebrities have now mourned his death on social media.
Kasinadhuni Viswanath was born on February 19, 1930 in Repalle, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. He studied Intermediate at Hindu College, Guntur. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science from Andhra University. After finishing his studies, Viswanath started his film career as a sound artist at Vahini Studios, Chennai.
Vishwanath, who entered the industry with the movie Atma Gauravam in 1965, helmed many wonderful films. Since the mid-1960s, he has directed over 50 movies. He has directed many landmark films in Telugu film history, such as Sirisiri Muvva, Shankarabharanam, Saptapadi, Sagara Sangam, Swathi Muthyam, Siri Vennela, Sruthilayalu, Swayam Krishi, Swarnakamalam, Sutradharulu, Swathi Kiranam.
K Viswanath is one of the directors who managed to put Telugu cinema on the international map. Sankarabharanam is a very special film in his life. The film, which was released in 1980, had J.V. Somayajulu, Manju Bhargavi and Chandra Mohan in lead roles. It won National Film Award for Best Film category. The movie was screened at several film festivals.
Not only as a director, K Viswanath showed his ability as an actor. Vishwanath, who appeared on the silver screen for the first time with the 1995 movie Subha Sankalpam, impressed with many good roles in movies like Vajram, Kalisundam Raa, Narasimha Naidu, Seema Simham, Nuvv Leka Nenu Lenu, Santhosham, Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo, Tagore, to name a few.
Viswanath was last seen in Telugu film 'Hyper', Ram Pothineni and Raashii Khanna. He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2016 for his contribution to the field of cinema. He also received the Padma Shri Award, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India and the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for his contribution to the Telugu film industry.