CHENNAI: "I have been associated with KB since the 1940s. His demise is an irreparable loss to the film industry," saying this, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi was one of the first to pay his homage to veteran director K Balachander on his demise today.
At about 8.30 pm, it was a surprise when Kalaignar entered the Kauvery hospital with his daughter Kanimozhi and wife Rajathi ammal. The atmosphere was tense with hospital authorities and media personnel rushing alongside the car when it entered the hospital premises. There was a flash of light and sounds of camera clicking, with the media frantically trying to capture the glimpse of Kalaignar.
His solemn face was an indication of how much he condoled the death of KB, as he was fondly addressed by the film fraternity. He was immediately taken in his wheelchair, accompanied by his wife and daughter, to the ICU where they met the members of Balachander's family and offered his condolences.
After his last look at the director, Kalaignar came back and addressed the press with a short condolence message. Previous associations of the director with Kalaignar, who used to pen the lyrics and verses for his movies, brought the nonagenarian right the hospital to pay his respects to KB.