K Subhash, writer of Chennai Express, dies of kidney failure

Tamil writer-director K Subhash, best known for writing the script for Chennai Express (2013) starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, died at the SRM Hospital here today.

Subhash was suffering from kidney failure and was on dialysis for the past few years. He died on Wednesday morning, a source from the Tamil film industry told IANS.

Subhash started his career as assistant to Mani Ratnam on the 1987 Tamil hit Nayagan. A year later he made his directorial debut with the Prabhu-starrer Kaliyugam.

In 1990, he directed the Vijayakanth-starrer Tamil action film Sathriyana, a blockbuster which earned him immense popularity.

He directed nearly 20 films with the last one being the 2005 Hindi action flick Insan, which featured Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Esha Deol and Lara Dutta. He also assisted Rajkumar Santoshi on a few projects.

As a writer, Subhash worked on Hindi films such as Sunday (2008), Entertainment (2014) and Housefull 3 (2016).

Remembering Subhash as a gentle and humble person, writer Shridhar Raghavan wrote on his Twitter page: Many took Subaash's stories and ideas without credit or money. He'd laugh, "We are rivers sir. If a needy fellow comes with a bucket, let him."

Actress Radhikaa Sarath Kumar wrote: Very saddened to hear about the passing away of director K Subaash, a long-time associate and director of Pavithra film with Ajith and many more. Sad.