Film actor Rajnikanth's father-in-law Rangachari (78) died in his residence at Poes Garden, Chennai, Thursday after prolonged illness.

Rangachari was not keeping good health for the last few days.

Rajnikanth, who was away for darshan at the Tirupathi, returned only early Friday morning after hearing the news about his father-in-law's death.

Rangachari is survived by daughters Latha Rajnikanth, Sudha Mahendran, wife of Y Gee Mahendran, and actor-son Ravi Raghavendra.

Among those who paid their last respects included former State Minister R M Veerappan, film personalities A V M Saravanan, Ramkumar, Prabhu, Parthiban, industrialist Nalli Kuppusamy Chetty and Karthik Chidambaram, son of Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

Dhanush, who married Rajnikanth's daughter Ishwarya recently, and his father Kasthoori Raja were also present at the Poes Garden residence. The body was cremated at Besant Nagar crematorium Friday afternoon.