Renowned film editor TR Sekhar passed away today (22 March) after suffering a heart attack. He was 81 years old.
According to sources, the veteran was rushed to a hospital in Trichy after he complained of chest pain early this morning. However, despite doctors' best efforts, he could not be revived.
In his five decade long career, Sekhar has worked on many distinguished films. He was the editor of the first ever cinemascope film in Malayalam, Thacholi Ambu (1978), of India’s first 70mm film Padayottam (1982) and of the first Indian 3D film, My Dear Kuttichathan (1984).
He won his first Kerala State Government Award for Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare (1986) and his first Tamil Nadu State Government Award was for his work on directed Faazil's classic, Varusham Padhinaaru (1989).
Sekhar, a man of few words, believed in letting his work do the talking.
He was often invited on film sets as the 'script doctor' for his ability to gauge the exact length a scene or a sequence should be. This helped the filmmakers cut down on time and money spent while shooting. Several directors who have worked with him gratefully acknowledge his valuable contributions even today.
The editor was also known for being kind to his juniors. According to sources, he would often have his assistants take the credit, pushing them to the fore.
Sekhar's last movie as an editor was Siddique’s Sadhu Mirandal (2008), after which he retired from the industry and settled in his native place Thennur, near Trichy.
The funeral will be held on Monday at 5pm in Trichy.
The legendary editor is survived by his wife Sundari and three daughters — Deepalakshmi, Thilagavathy and Nithya.