Veteran filmmaker and producer Muktha V.Srinivasan (88) passed away last night in Chennai.

Srinivasan mad his debut as a director with the 1957 film 'Muthalali' starring S.S.Rajendran. The film went on to win the National award for the best film in Tamil. He was one of the first to make films based on Tamil novels. He directed the film 'Naalu Veli Nilam' which was base don a novel written by Thi.Janakiraman. Among his large repertoire of films as a director the most memorable ones are 'Panchaali', and 'Suryagandhi' that starred late Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha in lead roles. He has directed Sivaji Ganesan in films like 'Thavapudhalvan' and 'Imayam'. He directed Kamal Haasan in 'Shimla Special' and Rajinikanth in 'Polladhavan'. In later years he made some memorable comedy films like 'Kathanagayan' and 'Vaai Kozhuppu' with Pandiarajan in the lead role. Many of his films have won several state and national awards.

Srinivasan has also made a great mark as a producer. He is the producer of the 'Nayagan' considered as one of the classics of Tamil cinema. His last directorial venture happens to be 'Brahmachari' starring Gauthami and Nizhalgal Ravi in lead roles. His last production venture is 'Sivappu' that released in 2013.

The veteran director-producer has also written many fictional and non-fiction works that includes novels and essay collections. He was a supporter of the Congress Party.

Muktha Srinivasan is survived by his wife Prema and two sons Sundar, Ravi and daughter Maya