Acclaimed Tamil film director SP Jananathan passes away, industry mourns the loss

Acclaimed film director SP Jananathan, who shot to fame with films such as 'Iyarkai', breathed his last on Sunday, sources said. Fondly known as 'Jana' among his close circle of friends, the 61-year-old director was a bachelor and has been living with his brothers.

He was not keeping well for some time and was admitted to a corporate hospital in the city, where he died this morning, they said. Besides the national award-winning feature film 'Iyarkai', the director has also made actor Jeeva starrer 'E', and 'Peraanmai.'

His upcoming movie Laabam, starring actor Vijay Sethupathi and actress Shruti Haasan was slated for release next month. Condolence messages from members of the film fraternity began pouring in after the news of his demise broke. 

It is with the heaviest Heart that We say good bye to #SPJananathan sir - it was a pleasure working with you sir Thankyou for your wisdom and kind words you will always be in my thoughts ! My deepest condolences to his family 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Ox1Ag0EEYE

— shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan)

Love u sir pic.twitter.com/FTfNVsFZnT

— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl)

Noted film director A R Murugadoss said, "#SP Jananathan sir, you will always be remembered through your films and will continue to live in our hearts. Deepest condolences to the family" (sic). Music composer D Imman wrote: "#Laabam director #S P Jananathan is no more.. incidentally he passed away on the death anniversary of social revolutionary #KarlMarx, who was his role model. We miss you" (sic).

"You had given me fond memories sir! could not accept the reality that you are no more. #RIPSPJananathan Comrade", he said. Film director cum actor Ameer Sultan, who has been one of the closest friends of Jananathan said he was a strong believer of communism. "He was a very affectionate person. I do not have words to describe his loss," he told PTI.

Industry and fans remembers Director

#SPJananathan sir. You will always be remembered through your films and will continue to live in our hearts. Deepest condolences to the family

— A.R.Murugadoss (@ARMurugadoss)

OFFICIAL PR: Dir #SPJananathan, who was in a critical state & undergoing treatment at the Apollo hospitals, passed away today mrng after suffering a cardiac arrest. Incidentally, today is also the death anniversary date of social revolutionary #KarlMarx, who was SPJ's role model

— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac)

RIP #SPJananathan Sir ! We lost one of our best and socially responsible director 😢 My deepest condolence to his family 💔

— Athulyaa Ravi (@AthulyaOfficial)

So heartbreaking this is..
RIP #SPJananathan sir..
Such an inspiration to me n many 🙏
A great soul to be remembered always 🙏

— Mohan Raja (@jayam_mohanraja)

RIP Jana sir such a wonderful creator with revolutionary thoughts #SPJananathan

— Bala (@bala03071)

RIP S.P.Jananathan sir!
My deepest condolences to his family🙏#RIPSPJananathan pic.twitter.com/JcwKLgrpVl

— SivaKumar S (Stay Safe) (@sivadigitalart)

(With PTI inputs)