Chennai, Oct 24 (PTI) Veteran Malayalam director I VSasi, best known for his films "Avalude Ravukal" and"Devasuram" died here today, sources close to the family said.
He was 69.
Sasi had problems in breathing and passed away around11.15 am on his way to the Surya hospital here.
In his more than three-decade career, Sasi directed over150 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi and workedwith stars such as Mohanlal, Mammootty, Kamal Haasan andRajinikanth.
Born on March 28, 1948, in Kozhikode, Kerala, Sasistarted his career as an art director. His debut directorialventure was "Ulsavam", which released in 1975.
Amongst his biggest successes was the 1978 film "AvaludeRavukal", which established him in the Malayalam filmindustry.
The film, which starred his then would-be-wife Seema, waslater dubbed into many other Indian languages, includingHindi.
The filmmaker gave Mohanlal one of his early breaks as aco-hero in "Ineyengillum". The director-actor duo went on towork in films such as "Devasuram", "Aalkkoottathil Thaniye"and "Uyarangalil".
Mammootty and Sasi collaborated on more than 35 films,including "Mrugaya", "Inspector Balram" and "Ee Nadu".
He also directed Haasan in films like "Guru,""Allauddinum Arputha Vilakkum", "Karishma" and "Eeta".
In 1979, Sasi worked with superstar Rajinikanth in theMalayalam film "Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum".
He helmed Hindi movies such as the Mithun Chakrabortystarrer "Patita" and "Anokha Rishta", featuring Rajesh Khanna.
The filmmaker won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best FeatureFilm on National Integration in the year 1982 for his movie"Aaroodam".
Sasi directed Bollywood star Katrina Kaif in the 2006Malayalam film "Balram vs Tharadas".
Mourning his death, Mammootty said, "I feel sad on thedemise of my beloved friend."Calling him the "master of Malayalam movie industry",Mohanlal said, "Portraying the life of commoners, IV Sasi wasa man who made wonders on the silver screen. I salute themaster of Malayalam movie industry who made the viewers andactors, including me, understand the basics of cinema."Kamal Haasan wrote on Twitter, "My friend for 45 years IVSasi is no more. The industry and I mourn a great technician.
My support and love to my sister Seema Sasi and family."Sound designer Resul Pookutty tweeted, "The man whorewrote the course of mainstream Malayalam cinema IV Sasi isno more. We had been in discussions on a film together, it'smy personal loss!"Mammootty's son Dulquer Salmaan wrote on Facebook, "RIPSasi uncle! He created an Era of his own in Malayalam Cinema.
Have fond memories of him from my childhood.""One of the greatest film makers of mainstream Indiancinema bids goodbye. We will miss you Sasi sir! So manypersonal memories!" Prithviraj Sukumaran posted. PTI CORR AJRSHDMIN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.