Veteran Tamil filmmaker-actor J Mahendran passes away at the age of 79April 2 (AZINS) Noted Tamil filmmaker J Mahendran passed away on Tuesday morning in Chennai. The veteran director was 79 and was hospitalised due to kidney-related ailments. He was known to be the one who made Rajinikanth the superstar he is of today. Rajini starred in Mahendran's directorial debut titled Mullum Malarum and then there was no turning back for the superstar. Mahendran's son John Mahendran took to his Twitter page and shared the sad news of his father's demise.

He tweeted with a photo of the legendary filmmaker, "DIRECTOR MAHENDRAN PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING." John on a daily basis has been sharing several photos of his father and prayed for his speedy recovery. John is also a director like his father. Mahendran's 1980 film Nenjathai Killathe has won three National Film Awards including Best Feature Film in Tamil, Best Cinematography (Colour) and Best Audiography.

Talking about directing Rajinikanth in his directorial debut Mullum Malarum, Mahendran had earlier said, "I would not have made the film if Rajinikanth had not been in it. I had a producer who never turned up on the sets; but I had Rajinikanth, Ilaiyaraaja for the background score and Balu Mahendra for the camera. Naturally, the film was a success."

He has contributed to several hit films namely Kaali, Johnny, Panakkara Pillai, Thanga Pathakkam, Uthiripookkal. Mahendran has even acted in many movies like Kamaraj, Theri, Katamarayudu, Nimir, Mr. Chandramouli, Seethakaathi, Petta and the last one being Boomerang.

RIP J Mahendran!