In an event held in 2007 to commemorate director/producer Muktha V. Srinivasan’s 60 years in the Tamil film industry, members of the film fraternity had a range of things to say about him. “He has a very good sense of humour,” the late Manorama said. “He was concerned about everybody in the film industry and it was he who decided that production boys and helpers must have food before a break,” director S.P. Muthuraman had recalled then.
For his colleagues and close associates, Srinivasan, who died on Tuesday night, was a pioneer in making small budget films that became hits, an avid book lover, and a producer passionate about films. Known for his punctuality and honesty in the film industry, the production house Muktha Films, which Srinivasan helmed, was recognised as one of the few film companies that made movies in a short span of three months. Several movies with actors Gemini Ganesan, Sivaji Ganesan and Jaishankar were box-office hits.
Veteran actor Sachu said her association with him dated back to her childhood. She recalled that she knew Srinivasan as an associate director in Central Studios when she worked in Sorgavasal in 1954. Fondly remembering him as a family friend, Ms. Sachu said: “He used to sing the song Rajamagal Rani from Sorgavasal whenever we met. Actors Cho and Manorama would join me in teasing him. I met him last when he was hospitalised last month and he didn’t forget to tease me with the usual song.”
Ms. Sachu later worked in six films, either in his direction or production, starting from Thenmazhai and Cinema Paithiyam and his television serials . Several actors, including Sachu and Sivakumar, recalled the prompt payments that reached them after the movies.
Actor Pandiarajan, who starred in Kadhanayagan and Vaai Kozhuppu, recalled how he used to rush to shootings as Srinivasan was known for his punctuality. “He sometimes gave away dialogues meant for a particular character to others if the actor was not there on time. He never wasted film stock and even used it to shoot frames for other movies. He sometimes skipped lunch to finish shooting on time,” he said.
Srinivasan gave lyricist Vaali a break through Idhayathil Nee and had actors Cho and Manorama feature in most of his films. He was one of the founders of the Tamil Film Producers Council and member of the Censor Board. Srinivasan was also chairman of MGR Film City.
Book lover
While Srinivasan was an ardent book lover and passionate writer, he also had a library of books in the garage of his house and encouraged anyone who wanted to borrow and read them.
“At the annual book fair, Srinivasan would sit at the stall where his books would be sold. He would interact with the people who came to buy his books and would engage them in conversations about books as well as graciously sign copies for them,” recalled G. Dhananjayan, writer and founder, Blue Ocean Film and Television Academy.
Actor Sivakumar elaborated on Srinivasan’s early years when he was an assistant director and worked in films like Mandirikumari and Andha Naal. He joined Modern Theatres, where his brother was working. “He was from a simple family in Thanjavur district and his childhood friend and politician G. K. Moopanar used to pay his school fees. He was involved in the freedom movement as a child,” said Mr. Sivakumar, who has acted in Avan Aval Aadhu and Thambathigal.
Several members of the film fraternity and organisations, including the Tamil Film Producers’ Council and the South Indian Film Writers’ Association, extended their condolences on the death of the multi-faceted personality.
“Muktha Srinivasan hailed from the same district as Aiyya Moopanar and took to public life under his leadership. He grew beyond the realm of arts and had a successful political career. Srinivasan was respected by political leaders of all shades. His death is a great loss, not just to the world of the arts, but to society in general,” said TMC president G.K. Vasan in a statement.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami condoled the demise of Srinivasan. In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami said Srinivasan was a director, producer, dialogue writer and writer, all rolled into one.
The funeral was held in the day.
CHENNAI: TAMIL NADU: 30-5-2018: Tamil film actor Kamal Hassan paying homage to the director Muktha Srinivasan at his residence in Chennai : photo:AISHWARYA NARASIMHAN
