Indian director Kailasam Balachander dies at 84

Indian director Kailasam Balachander has died at the age of 84. The filmmaker passed away on Tuesday (23Dec14) after suffering a heart attack in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Balachander was hospitalised last week (ends21Dec14) for a reported urinary tract infection and also underwent surgery last month (Nov14) to have a brain tumour removed, according to The Indian Express.
A hospital official says, “Around 7pm following a massive heart attack, KB was declared dead. His condition was already in deteriorated state after he developed infection and fever and the fact that he had been under dialysis for the last five days following the failure of his kidneys did not help.”
Balachander began his career in 1965 with Neer Kumizhi and went on to write, produce and direct over 100 films including Aval Ora Thodar Kathai, Avargal and 47 Natkal.
He also developed the TV shows Kaialavu Manasu, Rail Sneham and Ramani vs Ramani.
The director was feted with several film accolades including seven Filmfare awards and he was a 1987 recipient of the Padma Shri – one of India’s highest civilian honours.
He was also awarded the ANR National Award and Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest cinema accolade.
The sad news comes just four moths after Balachander’s son, Kailasam, died in August (14).