Known for films like Mullum Malarum (1978), Udhiri Pookal (1979) and Nenjathai Killathey (1980), Mahendran was hospitalized on Sunday evening after he complained of food poisoning.
Manigandan KR
One of the most renown filmmakers of the Tamil film industry, J Mahendran, was hospitalized Sunday, 21 January, evening after he complained of food poisoning.
Sources close to the director say that he was rushed to a hospital in Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu, where his condition is said to be improving. "At the moment, he is in the ICU and his wife is looking after him," a source said.
The director was in the town to act in a film titled Pugazhenthi Ennum Naan.
Later in the night, the director of Pugazhenthi Ennum Naan, Karu Pazhaniappan said, "The breathlessness of director Mahendran, who stablized the breathing of the Tamil film industry 40 years ago, has been contained and he is now fine and healthy. When I went to meet him, he said,'I am alright. Please arrange for shooting to happen tomorrow' [sic]."
Mahendran is known for several path breaking films, including the Mullum Malarum (1978), Udhiri Pookal (1979), Nenjathai Killathey (1980), which won three National Awards — Best Feature Film in Tamil, Best Cinematography (Colour) and Best Audiography.
