Popular Malayalam filmmaker Ashokan, who is also popularly known as Raman Ashok Kumar is no more. The 60-year-old director breathed his last on the eve of Sunday at a private hospital in Kochi. Reportedly, the actor had recently returned from Singapore and was undergoing treatment. He is survived by his wife Sita and daughter Abhirami. His funeral will be held on Tuesday.

Ashokan, who had worked in over 100 films, started his career in cinema as an assistant to filmmaker Sasi Kumar. After working as an assistant director for over 25 years, Ashokan made his directorial debut with 'Varnam" that starred Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Ranjini, Thilakan, Meena, Jagathy Sreekumar, Parvathy, and Mukesh in pivotal roles. Later, he had co-directed super hit movies such as 'Saandram' and 'Mookilla Rajyathu' by teaming up with filmmaker Thaha. Ashokan's directorial 'Aachaaryan' starring Thilakan, Suresh Gopi and Sreenivasan was also a super hit. Later, for several years now, he took a break from movies and got settled in Singapore doing business.

The news of his demise has sent shock waves across the film industry and several M-Town celebrities took to their social media handles to pay tributes to the hit maker.