Veteran South Indian director Balu Mahendra passes away

Eminent Tamil film director and cinematographer Balu Mahendra passed away after suffering from a massive heart attack. The septuagenarian director was admitted to a hospital in Chennai, today in the morning after he complained of chest pain. 'He breathed his last after 11 am,' Balu's personal assistant was quoted telling the media. Balu was an icon of the Tamil film industry. A winner of five national awards, Balu made movies in all other South Indian languages. He kick started his career as a cinematographer before moving into direction and screenplay writing. He gained fame for his superhit films like Kokila, Moondram Pirai, Oomakuyil. RIP Balu. Indian cinema has lost yet another icon.