ALAPPUZHA: Script writer and director Alleppey Sheriff, 79, died at a private hospital in Kottayam on Wednesday morning. He was admitted to the hospital for heart-related ailments a few days ago. He has penned the script for more than 70 films and directed a few. He was born in 1936 to Hamid Bava and Rehma Beevi of Koparakada in Zakaria Bazar near here. He had a penchant for writing and started writing short stories and novels soon after his primary education. His first novel ‘Nirangalude Sangeetham’ catapulted him into the limelight and paved the way for his entry into the film industry. He has wielded his pen for evergreen classics like ‘Avalude Ravukal,’ ‘Eeta,’ ‘Ulsavam,’ ‘Alavudheenum Albhudha Vilakkum’ and so on. He is survived by wife Nazeema, sons Shafees and Shihas and daughter Sharna, daughter-in-laws Shabnam and Shamila and son-in-law Shahnas. The funeral was held at Juma Masjid in Dutch Square here.