THRISSUR: Film director P Venu, 71, died at his residence in Chennai on Wednesday. A native of Puranattukara in Thrissur, he had directed mainstream films such as 'Udyogastha' (1967).
Venu claimed that 'Udyogastha' was the first multistarrer in Malayalam. It had five top actors of the day: Satyan, Prem Nazir, Ummer, Sharada and Sheela.
Venu had directed films of different genres comedies, detective movies and entertainers. His 1990film 'Shesham Screenil' had Silk Smitha playing the lead. His films had melodious numbers, including 'Anuragaganampole,' 'Ezhuthiyatharanu,' 'Thamarapoo Nanichu' and 'Neelanisheethini.' In 2003, he directed an alternative film, 'Parinamam,' featuring Madambu Kunjukuttan, Nedumudi Venu, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Ashokan, Shalu Menon and Archana.
It dealt with the subject of old age and loneliness. The script of the film was penned by Madambu. It won the award for the best screenplay in the Ashdod International Film Festival in Israel.
Venu got deeply interested in cinema in his youth and drew inspiration from P Ramadas, director of 'Newspaper Boy,' the first neorealistic film in Malayalam. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. The body will be cremated
at Cheruthuruthy on the banks of the Bharathapuzha on Thursday.